Part 2: Chapter 7 Summary

Rieux tells his mother that the latest serum from Paris seems not to be as effective as previous ones. The only people being inoculated are those who have family members with the disease since the supply is so limited. The plague has undergone a change and has gone from bubonic (causing boils) to pneumonic (causing pneumonia). Therefore, new regulations must be published to deal with a different source of contagion—the mouth. Rieux's mother is concerned about the long hours the doctor is working.

Tarrou offers to work with Rieux as a volunteer and to recruit and manage a corps of volunteers. He points out that Rieux is near the limits of his capability to manage and that, although the authorities have asked for volunteers, no one has come forth. Rieux gratefully agrees to take the plan to the authorities but...