New-York tribune., 1870-10-05
THE YELLOW FEVER.
REPORT OF TIE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF
HEALTH APPOINTED TO VISIT GOVERNORS
The following is the report of the Com


The following is the report of the Com
mittee appointed TO investigate the yellow fever cpl
demic Governors Island:
To dhe Board of Health: The Committee which was au-
thOrzed 10 take the necessary measures Tor te removal
Quarantine Of those sick with yellow fever at
Governors Island and TO protect this city from said dis
ease, and to investigate the origin OF the disease ana the
circumstances OF its introduction at Governors Island
have the honor TO present the following report: lmmc
mediatey after receiving the resolution OF the Board
the Committee proceeded TO Governor Island conferred
post who cOcurrcd promptly with the recommendation
of your Committee as TO the measures deemed to DO
peremptory measures, the Committee were referred 10
The Medical Director Dr. Cuyer, upon whom they called.
in entire accord with your Committee as 10 the necessary
10 be enforced the matter was laid before Gen.
Mcdowell, who Immediately issued orders placing Gov
ernOr's Island under Quarantine RESTRICTIONS ard the
COmmandant directed 10 comply fully with any and
every precautOn and detail your Committee might think
ON the morning of the 3Oth September the Health Off
Ger of the having placed his steamer at the disposal
the Committee attempt made to remove the SICK
to the West Point Quarantine Hospital but the weather
proving uDpTOpiiOs the TemOv9 could not be effected
Ill the day following, Oct On that day All those found
sick cOmpanngtO the number of persons, soldiers,
women and children, removed The bedding cloth
ing and other articles that could possibly mye become
Illinois the Lower Bay and burned. The quarters upon
fnUi'Sstr Gisinfected and cleaned Provision was
made the removal daily TO the Quarantine Hospital
any that might occur subsequently. No cOmmu-
ncation will be allowed by any soldier residents with
the infected quarters upon the Island until after frost
shall have rendered these restrictions unnecessary.
Thus by the Immediate removal Of all sick, and placing
the Island under strict Quarantine your Committee hope
they be enabled to protect the city from the disease
The most diigent inquiries have as yet failed dis
that the disease has been communicated TO any
person within the limits the city except those who
Island by visiting the sick nurses or mourners, re-
manning there in the infected locality long enough to
have contracted the disease Since the 18th Sept there
have been deaths in the city from this disease all Of
persons who had been upon Governors Island fora longer
or shorter PERIOD either as nurses Tor thef friends, or as
mOurners at funerals OF those dead OF the fever But
three other have yet been discovered in the city
up to the present Tune, and these three were soldiers
from the Island leave. Respecting the origin Of the
disease and the circumstances Of its Introduction upon
Governor Isandi FROM al the investigation possible
in this limited time, your Committee cannot but come TO
the conclusion that its has been infected
vessels that nave been allowed to land and lie at the
docks OF Brooklyn ranging from point at the Empire
Stores downward far as the Hamilton Ferry, OppO-
site to the eastern shores Of Governors Island Any in
fected article thrown overheard from these yes
ds ss Tfud this po s'ur Washed aGW upon on the the
beach at Governors Island Immediately opposite TO the
quarters where the fever first broke out On Thursday
23d september, two members OF the Sanitary Commit
tee Dr. stephen Smith and Dr. Ceccarin with the City
the cas unable diagnose the disease as vel
being further assured by Surgeon Page charge
Southern States At the first visit OF your Committee
Governors Island Thursday, Sept. 2s, it difficult
10 form decided opinion upon the rue character Of the
disease az by far the largest proportion OF the pre-
sted symptoms so obscure and mild in their types that
positive diagnosis could not be made. Two cases, how
ever winch were In other buildings separate from the
Hospital were so well defined in all the character
no difficulty making the diagnosis These were recent
cases.
The mild type which the cases have presented at the
lhhd O the hrst has been the cause OF 80 much CON
fusion ana oou9t the true character Of the disease
ana had UP 10 TINS time deceived those who had been
familiar with the disease In its Southern 'aIhtts even
after hc report OF Dr. Mott who visited the Island by re-
quest OF the President OF the Board at the suggestion of
Dr. Smith ON "Wednesday last the surgeons in charge
OF the post were mol convinced Of true Character Of
the disease, until those welmarked eases placed the
diagnosis beyond doubt Respectfully submitted
o. uECCAhiSI, Chairman Sanitary Committee
j. NJ CAHNOCHAS. Health Onicef
MoKEAU MORRIS, City Sanitary Inspector
HEALTH OFFICER CARNoCHAN on YELLOW
FEVER.
At the meeting Of the Quarantine Commits.