Had no unforeseen accident happened, we should have arrived at Kazan on the following morning, and been able to send the patients to the hospital of that town; but as there was little water in the river, we had to cast anchor for the night, and next morning we ran aground and stuck fast.

Here we had to remain patiently till a smaller steamer hove in sight.

All this time there was not the slightest symptom of panic, and when the small steamer came alongside there was no frantic rush to get away from the infected vessel, though it was quite evident that only a few of the passengers could be taken off.

Those who were nearest the gangway went quietly on board the small steamer, and those who were less fortunate remained patiently till another steamer happened to pass.
The old conceptions of disease, as something that may be most successfully cured by charms and similar means, are rapidly disappearing.

The Zemstvo--that is to say, the new local self-government--has done much towards this end by enabling the people to procure better medical attendance.