
The Plague – Why Japan Suffered Less Damage
As the global spread of Covid-19 gradually subsides, we humans will likely have etched this unprecedented crisis into our memories. However, even before Covid-19, humanity has been plagued by infectious diseases time and again. One prime example is the plague.
Let’s delve into this topic in detail.
Introduction
We are able to live in peace and safety today thanks to the diligent efforts and dedicated hard work of our predecessors. The field of medicine has also had its fair share of heroes. In this essay, we will introduce the achievements of Shibasaburo Kitasato, known as the father of modern Japanese medicine, particularly his remarkable feat of protecting Japan from a major plague outbreak.
What is the Plague?
The plague is the deadliest infectious disease in human history. It has caused three major worldwide pandemics, with the second European outbreak in the Middle Ages claiming the lives of 25 million people, a third of the population at that time. Initially, the plague causes swelling in the armpits and groin lymph nodes, eventually leading to the appearance of black spots all over the body due to internal bleeding. Patients succumb to the disease within a short period after the onset of symptoms. In medieval Europe, the plague was feared and referred to as the “Black Death.”
Shibasaburo Kitasato’s Achievements
In 1894, when a major plague outbreak occurred in Hong Kong, the Japanese government dispatched an investigation team led by Kitasato. Despite the deplorable conditions, Kitasato was the first in the world to identify the causative agent of the plague as a bacterium (later named the plague bacillus). Furthermore, he discovered that rats were the intermediary hosts, and that the disease was transmitted to humans via flea bites. This discovery revealed that rat extermination and ship quarantine were effective preventive measures.
The Plague in Japan and Countermeasures
Based on Kitasato’s recommendations, the Infectious Diseases Prevention Act was enacted in 1897, and port quarantine became mandatory in 1899. Additionally, a thorough rat extermination campaign was implemented. As a result, the plague outbreak in Japan was kept to a minimum, protecting the nation’s citizens from the third global pandemic. Meanwhile, cases continued to occur in other parts of the world, such as Africa and America.
Kitasato’s Life and Achievements
Afterward, Kitasato established Japan’s first private research institute, the Kitasato Institute, where he also studied rabies and influenza. He served as the inaugural president of the Japan Medical Association and the first dean of the Keio University School of Medicine, making significant contributions to the advancement of medicine in Japan. Until his passing in 1931, he remained an authority in the field of infectious diseases.
Conclusion
Through his discovery of the plague bacillus and the establishment of effective countermeasures in Japan, Shibasaburo Kitasato saved countless Japanese lives. His invaluable achievements and a lifetime dedicated to advancing medicine make him one of Japan’s most celebrated figures. We must express gratitude for the efforts of such predecessors while fulfilling our responsibility to maintain a healthy and safe society.