Чума
Part I
Afterthat,theposterannouncedsomegeneralmeasures,amongthemascientificprogrammeofrodentcontrolbyinjectingtoxicgasintothesewers,andstrictsupervisionofthewatersupply.Itadvisedtheinhabitantstoobservethemostrigoroushygieneandfinallyinvitedanyoneinfestedwithfleastoattendamunicipaldispensary.Inaddition,itwasobligatoryforfamiliestodeclareanycasesdiagnosedbythedoctorandagreetoisolationoftheirpatientsinspecialwardsinthehospital.Thesewardsweresuitablyequippedtotreatpatientsintheleastamountoftimeandwiththegreatestpossibilityofacure.Afewadditionalprovisionsmadeitobligatorytodisinfectthepatient’sroomandthevehicleinwhichheorshewascarried.Andfinally,relativesweresimplyadvisedtoundergoahealthtest.
DrRieuxturnedsharplyawayfromthenoticeandsetofftowardshissurgery.JosephGrand,whowaswaitingforhim,onceagainraisedhisarmswhenhesawhim.
"Yes,"saidRieux."Iknow.Thefiguresarerising."
Thedaybefore,aroundtenpatientshaddiedinthetown.ThedoctortoldGrandthathemightseehimthateveningsincehewasgoingtovisitCottard.
"Goodidea,"saidGrand."You’lldohimgood:Ithinkhehaschanged."
"Inwhatway?"
"Hehasbecomepolite."
"Wasn’thebefore?"
Grandhesitated.Hecouldn’tsaythatCottardwasimpolite,thatwouldn’tbecorrect.
