The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-15
QUARANTINE MATTERS.
What the Health Omcinls Say About
tho Approach OF Cholera-Their ISeadi-
ness for Any Emergency.

What the Health Omcinls shy About
tho Approach OF Cholera-Their Readi-
ness for Any Emergency.
While there are many and continued rumors OF
dread King Cholera visiting cities in the Sou thern
States not more than three or four days. journey
from New York, 1t behooves the Health officials
among to be on the alert lest the disease should
steal march upon the crowded metropolis and
assume the form OF an epidemic That such
caution and watchfulness as the case demands
Is exercised ut the entrance OF our port
where infectious diseases are supposed first
to demand entrance among u.s. a visit TO
Quarantine will fully satisfy the most exactng
inquirer. The authorities hold that they are ever
on the look out for cholera and kindred diseases
but they do not anticipate that the former will
reach the port at this time, yet 1t may, as any
single passenger from village in Europe or else
where infected with the disease might take passage
on board a crowded ship, and after departure con
taminate the majority OF his or her fellow passen-
gers. This risk has been deemed one OF danger
for years, and now is held as such by the medical
gentlemen there In charge, but not more so than
during many seasons past.
Regarding the existence OF cholera at New or
leans and other Southern ports having commerce
with New York, the officials say that while that
disease may exist in that section 1t is not fully de-
clded that IL Is such, or the medical men there
abouts would not differ SO widely regarding IT,,
after 1t being among them q week or more as
cholera is disease that makes its mark in such q
manner there can be no mstaking 1t. Another i'm
portant matter is that there has been published
history Of It's approach and appearance in the
Southern cities named, and this Is singular as
cholera Is not Indigenous while cholera morbns Is.
Yet the continued reports from that section have
created cause for additional watchfuness, II such
a thing is possible, and this is daily exercised
In the matter OF this or other infectious diseases
existing in European ports dealing with New York,
reports up to this time assure the health officers
there are none, but in the inland towns and VII
lagos where many emigrants come from, there IS
the same amount OF such diseases as have been no.
ticed during the past three years But the officials
controlling the steamships plying to our shores
exceedingly careful tnat no SICK person shall take
passage in them No longer is 1t matter OF indif-
ference to care for the sanitary condition OF tue
hundreds upon vessel but, while guarding
against the presence OF any disease by examina
ton before departing 1t Is the study OF all the OH
GERS to maintain the cleanliness OF the Steerage, In
order that they may successfully undergo the SAM
tary examination to which they are here subjected.
But should the cholera visit this port in more
than isolated cases, which Is highly improbable,
this season, the quarantine authorities are fully
prepared for it, The West Bank hospitals are in
thorough condition for the reception OF patients,
and, besides, the Illinois and Delaware, moored In
the lower bay, are ready for the same service and
in case OF an emergency, even at this time, the
buildings on Holman Island, though not fully in
order, might be called into requisition. All YES
sels-and this Is usual precautionary measure OF
the Health officers from the 18th or May each
year-lrom ports in the West indies Bermuda,
MexlCO, INC Spanish MAIN, tHe East coast OF
South America and the West Coast OF Africa as
well as from ports where cholera and yellow fever
prevailed at the time OF departure, upon which
cases OF such disease occurred during the passage,
are boarded from the Illinois, In the lower bay, and
this wise provision ~ carefully carried out.
In addition to the above general Information the
quarantine onicias report that. up to this time,
all the passengers and crews OF the vessels arrlv-
ing from New Orleans have been found perfectly
healthy and that the yellow fever SO bad OF late IN
Rio Janero, is greatly abating.
SO far this season the health officials may felici-
tate themselves upon the escape OF the city from
infectious diseases brought In by sea. There have
been but four cases OF yellow fever reported, and
these were nearly conyalescent when they arrived.
Nevertheless, TO prevent injection they were
sent to the West Bank Hospital, and two OF them
have since been discharged. The only vessels
now in port undergoing surveillance are the steam
snip City Of Havana and the bark Jonathan Case,
IRON Havana. They had no cases on board, but
detaine ed In the upper Quarantine to discharge
cargo. Affairs at the Quarantine are very duh nc
present, but the vigilance exercised over up
and the Health 0tiicer and his assistants are con
stantly on picket as II were, looking out for the
enemy that does not show Itself. The Health ON.
Ger has intelligence that the fever has abated so
much at Rio Janeiro that the spanish Quarantine
authorities have greatly relaxed their campaign
against vessels from That and contiguous ports.
lie has received Information that the yellow fever
is epidemic at Pernambuco and hereafter all YES
sells from that port Will he compelled TO discharge
cargo below the city. At present the Quaran line
officials seem TO entertain no serious fears OF the
importation OF contagious diseases but II IL come
they eel sanguinc OF their ability to successfully
grapple with 1t and con1ne its career to the lower
bay, so complete are their arrangements TO meet
any emergency that may arise