The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-21
QUARANTINE PRECAUTIONS.

TANNING vEssELs-GooD ADVICE TO CAP
TAISs.
the quarantine precautions for the summer
months are important In their bearing upon the
question OF preventing the spread OF dangerous
and infections diseases that may be brought into
the harDor OF New York from foreign ports. Upon
these precautions largely depend the safety OF the
city and the immunity or our citizens from cpl
denies originating IN tropical lands The meas
ures adopted TO stamp out yellow fever or
cholera found existing on board vessels arriving
from the South American and Gulf coasts or the
windward Islands should be not only thorough
but OF character to inspire confidence in the
MINDS OF the people
reporter OF the HERALD called yesterday upon
DR.. Moshier, the Assistant Health Oflcer, with a
view OF ascertaining his views on the dangers OF
the coming season. and the means taken to pre-
vent an epidemic. DR.. Moshier saio the precau.
tions that had already been taken were pretty
much the same as those employed in previous
years. Thus far the only detentions had been Of
two vessels from Para, Brazil, on board which
deaths from yellow fever had occurred during the
voyage. This was about two weeks ago, and since
then new cases had occurred The first Int
nation OF the appearance OF yellow lever at Key
west and Pensacola had created some uneasiness
among the health officers and vessels coming from
those ports vigorously watched, but since
then their anxiety had somewhat abated, although
the strict watch over these vessels was still kept
up.
THE DANGERS OF THE SEASON.
From DR.. Moshier's further statements 1t appears
that the hospital ship Illinois went down to the
lower bay few days ago and that vessels from the
West Indies Will be Inspected there instead OF
being examined at the boarding station. The
usual precautions taken during the summer
months would appear to be sufncient when the
favorable results OF the past few years are consd-
cred, and the only additional safeguard adopted
by DR.. Vanderpoe Is the personal inspection or
the crews well as OF the passengers. This Is
now done on all vessels coming from the Gulf ports
and il is thought that the introduction OF iniec-
,ious disease VIII thereby be rendered still more
improbable. Despite the adoption OF these strn-
gent measures DR.. Moshler does not wish is to be
understood that the Health Onicer thinks that the
coming season points 10 any dangers
otner than those from yellow fever and
in regard TO the latter he stated that there Is no
possibility OF predicting the frequency with which
IL may make It's appearance on the vessels reach
ing this port II Ia gratifying, at all events, that
there is no danger from cholera tnis season. as the
cholera epidemic seems to have entirely died out.
Last summer there were Few deaths from cholera
on Calcutta vessels, but all the deaths occurred be-
fore the ships reached this port DR.. Moshler is OF
the opinion that direct importation OF cholera
by way or the East Indies has always been pre-
vented by the excellent sanitary condition Of the
vessels IN that trade.
The Illinois has been fitted up this season espe-
cially a boarding station, and, Tor cases OF
emergency. TO be also used as hospital. The IL
lnols can accommodate 100 persons comfortably,
nut VIII only be used II another epidemic besides
yellow fever should be encountered. The cases
OF yellow lever Will all oe sent to DIX Island nos
pita, which can accommodate 400 patents and Is
about two mics from the Narrows. The hospital
Is in charge OF Major Colvell ana MS stan. and
well ada pied Tor the purpose OF isolation. These
two hospitals, ii Is expected, Will be adequate to
KULLs FOR DETENTION.
:, Regasolng ,ne preva,ience 0. yeiow lever Dr:
10 three ports, Para aud Rio de JaneIro In Brazil,
aud havana The LAST few vessels from Key West
tina yellow fever prevailed in those places but
this statement did not prevent continued tnvesti-
CATION. During tnis season any port IL the West
Indies which has a wen known yellow fever
record VIII oe looked upon by our health officers
deserving OF suspicion, and rigid supervision
Will be exercised over vessels coming from such
ports. vessel that mas no DILL OF health-even IL
no sickness be on board-wlll be detained for one
day Tor examination and ventilation; and with a
70 make the latter as perfect as possible the
there De sickness on board the vessel she w,ll DE
detained until satisfactory evidence has been iur-
nlsned that there Is danger OF iurtner disease.
NECESSITY OF CLEANLINESS.
Where tue number OF passengers Is large tire
frat point Tor Investigation VIII be the origin OF
tue sickness, the circumstances under which IL
occurred the care that mas Deen taken 70 prevent
injection and all other crcu Instances tending TO
determine whether there r. Danger OF further
disease. The stricken passengers VIII be con-
veyed TO Dix's Island and every other case OF
ward until the character OF the Illness IL deter
mined. II there IS no additional illness among the
passengers remaining on the quarantlned ship
they will De allowed TO land Her cargo Will, OF
course, be discharged by lighters, and tne vessel
viii be thoroughly fumlgated every night and
water pumped IN and out until the bge water
apuInps ciean.n IL happens not unirequently
tnat alter the captain OF vessel has stouty de-
apeneCtlF
barrels OF water Will nave 10 be pumped IN before
that result can be attained.
Muca can be done by way of cleanliness and
good discipline TO prevent disease. Dr. Moshier
SAYS that the Havana steamers rarely ever have
cases OF yellow lever. because their captains de.
vote special attention 10 cleanliness. Their ex-
entire passage some OF the M mad streams OI water
led in and pumped out from the bllge. In elbow
ing on the boilers. when IN port they run the
not water, winch u a great solvent into the bulge
aud tnen pump ~ out. This tends TO keep clean
The lowest ana dlrtiest part OF vessel where the
sugar dTlpplngs ana other sediments are lodged
The greatest trouble toe Health Onicers ex-
rom tne West IndlesMThose whose CAP.
tains think that SIMPLY washing her deck
makes vessel clean. Apropos Of the en-
DR.. Mosnier tells a very good story. Inc Atlantic
Mail nne ran Tor years between Havana and New
York during the sickly seasons and never mad
case vi sickness one OF tae ships OF that line
being disabled, however, the managers chartered
q snip Oelon ing TO another line, ana ner axrl-
val she mad ten cases OF yellow fever aboard. IL
was Iound that she was IN an extremely dirty con-
dtion, her tmbers being positively choked up
with iitn Another case IN point occurred two
years ago. schooner arrived mere from Havana
which mad lost eight OF Der crew from yellow
lever. Captain YORK. OF the schooner Edward
waite, lay Ia the same Derta IN Havana, loaded
alter her a similar cargo, and yet escaped all an
lection through the perfect cleanliness and ex-
celent discipline ne maintained. HIS vessel, said
Dr. MOsnler, rs a model IN that regard.
SOUND RECOMMENDATIONS.
Mr.. Moshier recommends that captains should
not allow their crews to sleep on deck while AZ
Havana, as the nignt air IS partially laOle TO
breed the masma, causing contagious diseases
nor should they allow them TO drink dlaidsdtente;
but the contrary, tGey should be required 10
sleep IN their usual Dertns IN the fOrecaste, and
nnrsnna II cnanllnnaa and reunLar hnnra nlL-