The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-18

No comment IN connection win The above inter
esting exhlbt IS necessary, as a cursory glance at
New York during the past summer from places In
!ected with yellow fever AFFORDS tho best proof OF
The danger which this city has escaped through the
unremitng vigilance and energy OF the officers TO
whom its sanitary interests have been en-
trusted. When it is considered that three
hundred and iorty-nine vessels whose passengers
and crews mad been exposed TO pestllennal diseases
at these ports OF departure. were prevented from
coming TO the wharves OF the city untl properly
disnfected, we can form some estimate OF the work
which devolves upon the Quarantine authorities;
and when 1t Is further remembered that OF these
vessels l02 had OF yellow lever on hoard Ii ls
significant that not single OF this dread
disease occurring IN the Metropolitan District can
be traced 10 Quarantine.
AS early as March almost every vessel which ar
rived at this port from Rio Janero Port au Prince
and Santiago had lost some OF their crews from
yellow fever but as the weather was then too cold
70 admit OF the propagation OF the disease. no re-
strlctIon beyond a. temporary detention was placed
upon them. With the beginning OF the heated term,
however, 1t became necessary TO exercise the
greatest precaution In reference 10 arrivals from
scSly ports, and TO adopt every precaution TO pre-
vent the Introduction OF disease. All vessels
rom infected and doubtful places were detained at
Lower Quarantine, where their matches were
opened and their cargoes subjected 70 proper
lation and fumlgatlon. II no cases OF yellow fever
occurred, they ere then allowed TO come up TO the
upper bay TO discharge cargo by lighters. These
regulations, which were vigorously enforced, were
adopted after the yellow fever epidemic OF 1850, and
have, with slight variations been acted upon By the
different Health Oicers OF the port since that time
and IL Is not too much TO say that TO them we may
yellow fever during the period.
That this freedom from nfecaon was due to the
present system OF quarantine no right thinking per-
son VIII dispute while IL is equally clear from the
experience OF tie present year that the continuance
and enforcement OF the quarantine laws Is our only
safeguard against the Introduction or disease and
that all attempts to eyade their provisions should be
snmmariIy dealt with and severely punished.
Tnat the outbreak OF yellow fever on Governors
Island was due to vessels which had eyaded quar-.
antine has been clearly proven while the lateDess
OF the season and the prompt measures adopted by
the Quarantine officials alone saved us from terri
bic visitation OF this scouTge.
1t Is all very well for Perth Amboy to relax her
health laws so long as by go doing she does not
Illustrate the Efforts made al this port towards the
exclusion OF disease, but villa the warning winch
the epidemic on Governors Island has given New
YORK IFS Legislature Will be wanting IN duty to the
best interests OF the community II laws are not en-
acted during the coming session which Will prevent
infected vessels from carrying their cargoes OF ois-
cage and death into our midst, and Mt the same time
place a legal barrier upon all further attempts OF
the evasion OF the law By The unprinclpled clique or
snlpowncrs who during the past season succeeded
In escaping the punishment which they so Justly
merited.