The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-04
QUARANTINE AFFAIRS.
The Fumigation Humbug--7'he Health ON
GERS Rich Piacer-Nct Profits $4,000 Per

The FumigatiOn Humbug-7hc Health On
GERS Rich Piacer-Nct Profits $4,000 Per
Year.
quarantine that wears 40 glazing a complexion OF
profitable humbug "a the fumigatlon process to
which vessels are subjected in the summer season.
Fumigation Itself is one OF the most supreme hum
bugs. 1t may possibly have the effect OF diminishing
the force OF insects that infest the corrupting
timbers OF some old sailing vessels: but go
far as dlssipating an atmosphere inoculated
with cholera or yellow fever 70 Just
There are some facts connected with this fumgation
arrangement which 1t Will do the public harm TO
The Health Onicer from the necessity OF the case is
made by law the exclusive judge OF the propriety
tine. at Is OF the sanitary measures say tho
Quarantine Commissioners with a delightful sim
cE aSs the h law s him ,as
ty OF the public health REQUIRES. For this
reason" continues the Commissioners; we are
whether the Immigration becomes unnecessary not.
And whyf Because the law happens not to leave to
the consignees OF vessels the question as to what
sanitary measures should be adopted.
In regard to the authority TO make certain charges
with the commissioners rs Of the "s Quarantine t
Board, and they are such an unselnsh and
scale sf' charges ~scn that ss En- ESs
least, is one Of the curios,ties or modern
simplest sort of process and 40 the cheapest II Is
pretty dear operation as carried on at Quarantine,
yet even III that quarter IL ~ looked upon as possess
Ing very little intrinsic virtue; but then IL Is old
fashion and o mighty profitable one, besides sane
toned Dy law and approved, as Dr. Swinburne
would say, by the best sanitarians The cost Of umi
CATION Is OF course admitted all hands to very
trining. Even these immaculate Commissioners
OF Quarantine admit the fact but let rs
listen TO the delicious naiuete with which
they show how the charges for fumgltion should DO
put down at respectable figure. common sense,v
they say "as well the dictates of humanity, re-
qure that those engaged In the performance Of such
portionate to the risk they run" What charming
innocencel The tender hearts OF Swinburne Curtis
Co. must be stirred TO their most benevolent
depths at the reflection OF the risks In which their
jealous deputies are placed But, then the
deputies receive, as anybody might infer
from the words just quoted, additional compensation
their contcmpative moments they must often ejacu-
late grateful prayer for Swinburne and company.
who feel such kind consideration In providing for
them against the risks OF yellow fever and cholera
by allowing them all the profits the price OF fu-
migation.
The fumigators are an innocent credulons race OF
men. Their pay Is about two dollars per day; their
work is not perhaps very pleasant, but then II IL
ceed,ngy brief. Doctor Swinburne gets twenty-five
dollars for fumigating steamer It Is very private
and altogether personal question whether the sub0r
dinate fumigator, who actually does the work and
runs the risk. receives any more than his allotted
two dollars Swinburne knows. Every ship is liable
TO fumigation. IL Is such light, pleasant and profit
able pastime that II Is difficult 10 see how the Health
0nlccr can feel otherwise than happy In Its prosccu
ton.
n the year 1864 ATS ships entered the port Of New
York. This number is now increased by az least ten
per cent. Suppose the Health Officer made only
five dollars on each by boarding. &c.--whch he
could readily do according to law or according to
Throw In the fumigation, which IL at least worth
$4,000 year, and the nice income OF about 100000
becomes toIeraby PLAIN and certain. tue umiga
ton itself n grand fortune and should b. carefully
attended to aud cultivated by the Quarantine people
more especially by the Doctor