Чума
Part IV
Then,swallowing:"Butsavemychild."
Atthestart,quarantinehadbeenasimpleformality;nowRieuxandRamberthadorganizeditverystrictly.Inparticular,theydemandedthatthemembersofafamilyshouldalwaysbeisolatedfromoneanother.Ifonepersoninafamilyhadbeeninfectedwithoutrealizingit,theyshouldnotincreasethechancesoftheillnessspreading.Rieuxexplainedthistothemagistratewhowaspersuadedbytheargument.However,themagistrateandhiswifewerelookingatoneanotherinsuchawaythatthedoctorfelthowdevastatingthisseparationwouldbeforthem.MmeOthonandheryoungdaughtercouldbehousedinthequarantinehotelrunbyRambert.Butforthemagistrate,therewasnoplaceanylongerexceptintheisolationcampwhichthePrefecturewassettingupinthemunicipalstadium,withthehelpoftentsprovidedbytherefusecollectionservice.Rieuxapologized,butM.Othonsaidthattherewasonlyonelawforeveryoneandthatitwasrighttoobeyit.
Asforthechild,hewastakentotheauxiliaryhospital,toaformerclassroominwhichtenbedshadbeensetup.Aftersometwentyhours,Rieuxconsideredhiscasedesperate.Thelittlebodywasbeingeatenupbytheinfectionwithoutreacting.Tinybubos,painfulbutbarelyformed,wereobstructingthejointsofhisslenderlimbs.Hewasbeatenfromthestart.ThisiswhyRieuxhadtheideaoftryingoutDrCastel’sserumonhim.Thatevening,afterdinner,theygavethelonginjection,withoutasinglereactionfromthechild.
