The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-26
o II q + il j A.
WHAT IS BEING DONE AT QUARANTINE.
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Preparations to Meet Disease and At
temptS to Invite It.
Something About the Origin, Nature and
Characteristics OF Cholera.
Facts and Figures for the Thoughdul-The Last
visitations Of the Dread Destroyer in New
York-The United States Vessels
Albany and Delaware-How
They Will Be Disposed Of

They Will Be Disposed Of
kilograms from Europe inform us daily Of the
stealthy approach OF the demon cholera. Our latest
advices indicate chat 1t has slipped across from the
Continent, and is now walking its deadly way on
the waters OF the English coast At the city Of
Shields, In North Britain, 1t mas appeared IN It's
most offensive shape and what destruction TO
human life 1t may cause in that not Over-cleanly
seaport we may have to chronicle In a few days.
As, however, the quarantine laws OF England are
strictly enforced as happily they here 1t s pos
sibe that the epidemic VIII not be allowed access to
the interior. The fact Of this evidence OF the rapid
march the destroyer nevertheless, is calculated
to excite the gravest fears ana to demand instant
action upon the part OF city authorities and I'M
remtting watchfuness by the officers charged with
the important duties OF quarantDing Infected
ships arriving at our ports. The danger is immi.
nenI The ship that brought the cholera to Shields
may followed by another that win not stop until
she drops anchor in New York. 1t has been well es
taplished that personal intercourse Is the medium
and persons
THE CARRIERS OF THE DISEASE,
and that not only is the disease introduced by per-
sons at a time when no cases exist, but during the
general prevalence Of an epidemic, the character
and violence is augmented by the admission into
hospital OF cholera sick. This being granted 1t win
be conceded that cholera need not be feared In the
ports OF countries where 1t has not yet appeared,
strict and proper quarantine Is maintained; that
cholera was considered purely Indian disease
until 1s14-l5 when il became epidemic, and. pass
ing over its natural boundaries, devastated
Burmah and China, and eventually Qs30-32)
reached Europe and America, prevailing
from the poles to the Equator unchecked
by climate temperature; disease Of all classes,
ri M FAR In nj
But from Its cradle until It held sway over the
world the same law conditioned It's propagation;
the disease then, as now, followed in the wake OF
personal intercourse from the infected district
passing along steams and highways. The first
cases invariably occurred In towns and villages on
these routes radiat1ng from these to the INTERIOR
and only such places suffered from the ravages Of
the diseases that communicated with the infected.
NEVER AND NOWHERE INDIGENOUS
on this Continent and Europe, the germ OF the
malady-the cholera poson-had to be carried from
the location where the disease prevailed as cpl.
demic before 1t could terminate spring into
existence. That cholera patients are the only
carriers and dissemtnatOrs of cholera Is truth ex
perience has demOnstrated; and that Infectious
diseases can be prevented from entering here from
Europe has been shown in the able management Of
our present Health Ofiicer Had 1t not been for the
criminal action OF the authorities OF New Jersey In
permitting vessels TO evade the New York Quaran.
tine by entering at Perth Amboy We would have
been spared the anxiety OF the last two summers
and no lives would have been lost on Governors
Island. These people are now trying, with the aid
OF sensation press and interested parties. to avoid
the proper detention of ships from Injected districts
BY Dr. Carnochan and his assistants But 1t IL to be
hoped that the stringent measures adopted by the
Board OF Health viii electuaiy stop TINS dangerous
attempt at the health OF the city and the country.
And mere It is well for the edication Of those reck.
vacs onhn M rn fnnf N AnIn nnlU fnu
gestive figures OF cholera times when quarantine In
New York was as loosely attended to as ambitious
AmbOy declares IL ought to be-
DEATHS FROM CHOLERA IN NEW YORK.
Fear Persons. Year. Persons.
isao S S11 isss 1oYS
HERALD reporter visited the Quarantine hos
pas few DAYS day since and enamned them thor
to the means at hand for the protection OF the city
against pestilence and the following report Is the
result Of his INVESTIGATIONS
THE WEST BANK HOSPITAL
was fully described In the HERALD two years since;
but In view Of the fact rhat In the event OF the ar
rival OF the westward marching cholera, public at.
tenton will be directed with intensity toward the
New York Quarantine, further and more extended
description will he considered timely. Citizens OF
the West Souta and East are much interested In
the elncleucy OF our Quarantine as the people Of
the metropolis for this is the gate OF the country
through which, II well and properly guarded, the
dreaded Asiatic destroyer may not be allowed to
enter.
West Bank is long snoal situated In the lower
bay, about nine miles from the upper quarantine sta
ton at Staten Island. Upon portion of this shoal
the present structures were built firm fOunua-
ton was raised to the neighth Of about ten feet
above high water mark by driving down immense
wooden piles, surrounding them with stone and
iron WORK and filing up the spaces in the most COM
pact manner, until groundwork mad been formed
capable OF resisting the tremendous pressure OF the
winter. On this foundation, then the build
situated as 1t Is nigh above the waters, where tie
pure sea Dreezes have full play In giving
RENEWED LIFE AND STRENGTH
to the frames Of patients weakened by disease. The
view from the bank presents panorama OF rare
ov the waers are se dotted WITH the epe
OF incoming and departing ships. TO the right Of
the spectator are the heights Of Long Island and fur
the wooded heights OF staten Island, while pursuing
the coast line the eve dmly discerns aiar Off the
shores OF Raritan and, standing boldly out the
Highlands or Neversink Situated, as It is, at the
entrance TO OF the finest harbOrs In the world,
amid health-givng breeles aud where the eye s
greeted with most beautiful vistas of earth and
water, the site could not have been more admirably
CHOSEN.
THE BUILDINGS
are OF wood, cover two acres IN extent and are OF
the pavilion style OF architecture. Tney consist OF
eight splendidiy lighted and ventilated wards. clgh-
teen feet apart; large baggage room, laundry,
superintendents rooms, dlspensary, nurses apart
ments, boat house, deadhouse and all the appur-
tenances necessary to an establishment capable OF
accommodating 400 patients. The wards are ls9 feet
has attached to II q clothes closet. bath aud
the and u feet
sic,ans quarters consist OF double house.
40 feet square and pa stories high. The wards run
OLner, ITdIlsNcTociy VIC
with fine, wide corridor passing transversely and
leading into each OF them All the wards and each
OF the apartments are heated in winter through
steam pipes. The extreme length OF the nam build
ing 5O3 feet inches, the greatest width 81 feet
s inches The side facing Long Island IS 20 feet
inches and the opposite side 267 feet In length. The
lighting and ventilation everywhere IN the building
are admirable. The Health officer, DIR. Oarnocnan
and his deputy DR.. Kenneth Reid, visit them
daily. The Superintendent. Captain James O'Rourke,
mas mad long experience and discharges the duties
OF his ONCE with ana marked ability. And this
being need scarcely be said that the establish
ment Is constantly Kept In the neatest order. IL
should nave been said That communication Is had
with the Quarantine station OF staten Island by
cable wire from the Superiutendenps oIilce. There
are nut two patients In the hospital at present,
neither OF whom has contagious disease. The fol-
lowing
RULB5 AND REGULATIONS
enoined TO be observed by the employees IN the
hospitals are posted up IN each ward;-
l. DUTrrs wATonhEN.--A Waterman must be con-
stan,y DUTY the dock and through The buildings lie
will give Of the approach OF boats vessels to the
inten dent or charge. lie will allow per-
sons 70 without permission OF the Superintendent or
Ha will hat