The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-20


Dane bearing bis iuS in the army As none Of the ~
pfrs whch take 80 much interest In the sfsr have
Wv. NAV serve % po,nt nsIssrapb IN yonr pager.
You may rely implicitly ON The fact being a. IstAto IT,
Gem missssners OF Health.
IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION FROM HnALTH oFFIcKR
THOMPSON.
Tho above Commissioners met ct yesterday
present. the Mayor The City Inspector and Drs rhomp
son, Rockwell and Miller.
The Health Officer laid the following communication be-
fore the Board
sRs By the health laws Of the port vessels arriving at
Quarantine compelled 70 discharge their cargoes and
discretion Of the health authorities before they pro
coed 70 the cities OF New York and Brooklyn; and the
following, within the meaning Of the statutes, have been
declared infected ports, viz Havana Matsozas, 81
Thomse, Port an Prince, Cardepas, st. Jag0 dc Ouna,
Trinidad dc Cuba Cieniuegos San juan de los Remedies
Will be eeen that this schedule embraces all the ports
Of consequence in the West Indes and hence that
every vesselfrom there arriving 10 New York must be
discharged purified, ventilated and detained at Quaran
tire Upoer present regulations, excepting where there
have been Of yellow fever board such vessels
are s1. 70 lie a. anchor tho upper
holds
The upper Quarantine anchorage therefore, being on
its outer line nearly equi ds,aDt from Long Island aud
Staten lsnd, becomes necessarily, and TO certain dc
gree, source Of danger from infection alike 10 each
island depending upon the virulance Of the infection In
the ports from whence the detained vessel arrive aud
nes very much upon the number Of such vessels which
may be o. any one time eecng tho foul air Of their holds
between the two Islands
During the quarantine season of 1855, when vessels
IN large numbers arrived from infected ports the Health
low fever board should DO lower bay for
ventilation and fomigatop, and your honorable Board
approved Of such suggestion The reasons assigned for
proposing such change wore, that Is was not safe 70
allow such class Of vessels 10 veptste their holds in
the vicinity Of bsrks and brss retained for on
and oeeides that Was otherwise dangerous 10 the pub
lie health that the poisoned euvia from such vessels
should be thrown or as any place in the bay above the
Narows This Of the health authorities was highly
approved Of BY the mass OF citizens, but not by the
shipping interests Of the port The majority Of shpown
ers ana sonsgnees protested against the wholly
surely 70 be- destructive 70 thoir ships and csgoes, ia
that storm should arise while their
were lying at anchor In tho lower bay. But not~i.h
tried and the result that vessels In the lower bay
encountered storm with lees damage than those which
were riding q anchor in the upper anchorage The con-
vction now therefore, Ia general that Ii much safer
20 far @ regards the public health, 70 place infected
vesses in the lower anchorage than 70 keep them above
Choir safely In the vicinity Of the Spit even in time Of
storm. The regulations OF 1856 enacted
In 1857 and are nov the rule Of action for the present
season
But the regulations relave infected vessels referred
to Old not apply 70 the whole class they were made
ana Ss ye o
without dweAse based the belief that they are
far lees dangerous 10 the pubc health than those upon
which persons have scened and died OF the infectious
disease. 10 certain exient, doubt but that such
Discrimination u vol founded and just but, judging
from the actual quarantine experience Of the port for
the past three years. and even from the beginning OF
the institution, the difference OF danger 10 the public
health from the ventilation Of infected vessels with
sickness on board, On the contrary, very inconsde.
rable.
me records of the Marine Hospital furnish c,uousIve
proof that vessels and cargoes arriving ct Quarantine
from infected ports or from places whore yellow fever
however slightly, prevailing epidemic are suf
hoiently surchareed with poison psrt the dsease
persons who have intercourse or dealing with them,
whsther they enter port with or without acsness and
ruh vevek thus dangerous 70 individuals who uhae
va am sphere Of their holds such infected air. hap
" BE waited In locality favorable 70 ts propa CATION
generation must Inevitably give rise 10 epidemic or
always be dangerous 70 the public health.
Assuming such 10 be the true character OF the cir
holds Of infected vessels and that incon fsc
lead IN such conclusions follows that the process Of
fumeaon ventilation and publication Of infected vessels
and csrgces should be carried on ~ remotely from the
cities Of New York ard Brooklyn and from the shores OF
Staten Island and Long leland II ali practicable with
sr the esab.bmept Of Quarantine At s prcscn. sie
and prior 10 1855, with some ew exceptous all vessels
from infected ports detained at tho old Quarantine
anchorage, and there mpeed 10 discharge aud VENT
late their holds and during such period ct sundry times
several localities in The port suffered more less
epidemic yellow fever.
submit therefore that during the residue OF the pre-
sent quarantine season all vossses irrespective Of sick
ness on board Of them, arriving from infected ports,
should be ordered 10 ~ the lover anchorage and
open their patches and wind therein
for thorough ventlxion and that such vessel be al
lowed 10 come TO he upper anchorage till several days
After It's arrival and not Then until Ia thoroughly veni
lated.
This suggestion or recommendation contemplatcs q
material change not only IN respect % pro.oc.lns tho
D. quarantine, In which commercial men will take .
lively interest Al first, tho proposed change Of an.
be iSpowners and merchants. Without unders.spd
pg the practical operations OF the proposed change,
hey will probably oppose u as an innovation, and In
IN fha rtor hat IN info~s
nohor In the lower bay, and there 10 ride out quar-
rtne Of several days, before being allowed 70 proceed
dditops rsstIoiion, which will be nearly in.oIsrsbis
But the change Of anchorage will have such effects
Nh the interest OF shppers II viii not be TO their dis
ommon with the entire inhsbitants Of the por-of The
tiles OF New York and BROOKLYN wen those OF Long
Stand and Staten Issndw unite Ia rej,ciug when they
ee and know that The infected feet lying ut Quar-.
ntne, above the Narro~s, rs being lessened 70 few
Iersels which dscharsns their carsoes after having
nchor yesterday this old aocborass-vesssls having
rrived from scky ports without sickness board |
umbers sixty vessels n tbe suggestions Of change In
be anchorage, which are submitted approved Of this
lumber OF vessels above the Earows w very soon DO
and will not exceed one sixth part thereof
10 crcer infected vessels On Their s,riv. % come 70 for
be expenses add 70 the labor Of the health suthores
ell for the services Of IN extra boarding Officer and spe
AID officers Day 70 and from the lover anchorage
och services not contemplated by health Lac
et your honorable Board shall ccucur In the above
and viii provide suitable conveyance
. and nom the lower bay, win engage 70 furnish an
xra boarding officer 70 lpspect the infected vesses
cry respectfully your obedieut servant
r. THOMPSON, Health 0foer.
QUARANTINE, July 10, 1858.
The following resolutions were then agreed to-
Resolved That the communication Of the Health Odoer
iade to this Board at Ia meeting this day in relation 10
esses arriving from Infected ports be received and
cred on hle and that the recommendation therein
'ned be, and they are hereby approved.
Resoived, That the following be ard they hereby
cleared niected ports, viz Havana, Port Prince, Ma
rrss 81 rhomas, Ponce, Cardenss, 81. Jago dc Cubs
agua u Grande, Trinidad de Cubs Oenfuegos San Juan
2 Toe Remedies and New Orleans
Resolved, That esch branch and deputy pot OF Tits
Drt be and hereby directed W anchor every vessel
nder bis charge except those naveated by steam coming
ON an infected port within the range Of the buoys
the lover Quarantine anchorage, and there remain
Inject 70 the orders OF the Health Officer.
Resolved, That q copy OF this communication OF the
cath Obcer together with the preceding resolutions be
esented by the President OF this Bnarf TO the PILOT Com
tssouers With request that they aid this Board car
ing the said Instructions into effect
Resolved That the Health Oicer be and he " hereby
borned and directed 10 employ a stsamtug for the