When the Launceston epidemic of 1903 began, so too did rumours of who had introduced the dread disease of smallpox to the city. Human nature being what it is, an ‘ outsider’ was suspected. Just as with the conspiracy theories we are familiar with today (including re Covid) some small piece of information that may or may not have been true gained currency and was embroidered until it fitted the desired story.
In January 1903 a Chinese man, Ki Yeng (also written as Ki Ying and Kee Yeng) , had been found collapsed in Howick Street suffering what was believed to be leprosy. He was taken to the isolation ward of the Launceston General Hospital as plans were made for to him be removed to a leper colony in Victoria.
Sadly, the man died at the hospital on January 25.
‘Deceased, it is said, contracted the disease about two years ago, in a Chinese camp in Victoria, and about 12 months back came across to Hobart from Melbourne. He resided in the southern capital till about three weeks ago, when he came north.’ (Daily Telegraph, Jan 26 1903).
As the Launceston epidemic took hold, there was an unsubstantiated story that one doctor at the hospital had diagnosed Ki’s condition as smallpox, not leprosy. This even featured during a debate in the House of Assembly
Mr Jenson -It was commonly reported in Launceston that the disease came from a Chinaman.
Mr Sadler – Where did he come from?
Mr Jenson – It is said from Hobart. However, there was a Chinaman walking about Launceston and his countrymen would only feed him with a stick. It was reported he went to the Launceston General Hospital, where one doctor said he had leprosy and another diagnosed it as smallpox. (Examiner, Aug. 29 1903)
When Dr Elkington arrived from Victoria to take charge of the epidemic he was besieged by letters about the origin of the smallpox outbreak. Perhaps the most ludicrous involving a Chinese man was as follows;
‘One correspondent states that the disease was imported in a case of bananas, and in proof that his assertion is correct he says that he travelled on the same boat from Melbourne which brought the tropical fruit, and that during the run across the Straits he noticed a Chinaman who had a lot of ‘spots’ on his face sitting on the case from the time the vessel left the wharf in Melbourne until it cleared the Heads. Two days afterward the writer saw this particular case of bananas – which by the way , had a peculiar mark like a cross on it – standing outside a shop not far from Margaret Street.
I imagine it looking like this!
CONSUME AT YOUR PERIL!
The true source of the smallpox infections was James Marion, a music hall performer who had arrived in Melbourne on May 2 aboard the steamer Gracchas from Calcutta. He then travelled on to Launceston.
RESISTANCE TO THE REMEDY
Another parallel with the Covid epidemic was the heated debate over vaccination. Yes, smallpox vaccine had been around since Edward Jenner’s 18thC discovery, but there were fears about how it was being produced.
The most outspoken opponent of vaccination was Alfred Field. I suspect he was anti-vaccination per se, but in one long letter to the press he suggested that animal diseases were being transmitted to the public.
‘Is there no danger of transmitting the terrible diseases known to veterinary surgeons? In proof of the existence of such a danger, a young man called on the writer a few days ago, with face and throat horribly scarred, scored, and disfigured, the result of a terrible animal disease, transmitted, as he said, by vaccination. At the present time (and for how much longer?) scores of people in Launceston are suffering tortures through vaccination. while the reputed smallpox has only mildly affected very few. Truly, the remedy [?] is worse than the disease.’ Yours etc.
ALFRED FIELD, HILLSIDE CRESCENT. (Daily Telegraph, July 11 1903)
Local MD Dr J. A. Webster responded to Field with a graphic and detailed account of how vaccine was being produced from the skin of a healthy calf. It was injected with smallpox calf lymph which was later harvested. He emphasised the fact that everything was done in a sterile atmosphere, just as with a critical surgical procedure, and that it was exhaustively tested.
SOURCE – edition.cnn.com.
Of course Alfred Field did not change his position. Nor was he alone in his opposition. A certificate of vaccination was required to leave Launceston by train or ship, and this was viewed by many as an infringement on personal liberty.
A STATE DIVIDED BY SMALLPOX
Then there was the old North versus the South divide;
TO THE EDITOR
Sir, – One of the most regrettable features of the present outbreak seems to me to be the absurd exhibition of ill-feeling it has given rise to between Hobart and Launceston. I have always held such feelings to be contemptible and foolish, and in the present instance it is more reprehensible than ever. Doubtless there has been a great deal of wild talk in Hobart, but those in authority have been firm enough not to be swayed by it. There has also been a great deal of foolishness displayed at this end, in the shape of recriminations, unjust accusations and insinuations and circulation of injurious and disquieting rumours….’ (Examiner, 29 July 1903.)
It all came to a head in mid August, when it was proposed that for safety reasons the sitting of the Supreme Court should be moved from Launceston;
‘For weeks past a section located in the nominal capital of the State has shrieked of the necessity for ‘teaching Launceston a lesson’. A fortnight ago its efforts were directed to secure the isolation of the city. But Dr Elkington deprecated any step of the kind and he has since made the significant statement that the Hobart scare verges on the ridiculous. Still it continues, and now we are informed that the approaching criminal sitting of the Supreme Court is to be held at Longford instead of at Launceston on account of the epidemic. … The authorities appear in this matter to have allowed their better judgment to be influenced by the splenetic jealousy of the south toward the northern capital. (Advocate, Aug, 17 1903.)
There were many more example, but you get the idea.
The Launceston epidemic had so many parallels with the Covid pandemic. It’s a reminder that human nature never really changes. For my own part, I have never forgiven WA’s Mark McGowan for his attitude towards ‘Easterners’ like myself during the lock-downs. Is this rational? Probably not. 😨
As I write, the spectre of the mpox virus is looming. Oddly enough it’s related to smallpox, though thankfully not as serious.
NOTE – TO READ THE FULL LETTER ON SMALLPOX VACCINATION WRITTEN BY DR. J. A. WEBSTER DURING THE LAUNCESTON EPIDEMIC , CLICK HERE.
THE FIRST PART OF MY STORY CAN BE READ HERE.
