The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-04-01
YELLOW FEVER.
Appearance Of yellow Fever
Ia Malignant Form az
Eiey West
Mobile, New Orleans ana Ssal
weston Notified 10 be On
tie Look Oul.
The Disease Prevailing la IAN
EpjdemiC Form AZ Havana.

WASHINGTON, March 8l.-One weel,
ago Captain Russell, the senior officer
in command Of the United States
steamer Plymouth NJ Key West tele-
graphed the navy department that on
that day there had been two fatal cases
Of yellow fever on shlpboard, and that
he had taken every precnullOn 10 pre-
vent the disease from spreading, ln7
credible as u may appear neither the
war or navy department. were nd
vlsed of the prevalence Of the disease
until to-day, when the engineer officer
In charge Of the government works at
Forts Taylor and Jefferson teegraphed
the CHIEF Of the engineer corps that
the yellow fever had greatly increased
within few days, that all The naval
vessels were quaranlined and the sol
dlers garrls0ning the forts would leave
Immediately for colder quarters.
Following this came telegram TO
another army officer stating that the
epidemic was spreading, which report
was soon generally known IN army
aud navy circles, and was not confined
to the vessels of the navy, but that
deaths were occurring In Key West.
The existence Of the disease was un.
known to the treasury department, but
upon hearing the report the superris-
ing surgeon, In charge Of the marine
hospitals, directed that instructions be
sent at once to the surgeons at Pen
sacoa, Mobile, New Orleans and Gal
weston be on the look out for yellow
jaeg, and promptly report Its appear
anCe.
The United States steamer Dispatch,
sent to New Orleans TO convey the
senatorial party to Mexico, was ut Key
West when the fever broke out, In
crossing the solicitude felt here, not
only tor the naval officers hut for the
prominent persons composing the eN-
cursion party. This early appearance
of the fever, in so malignant n form
and the negligence Of the authorities
in not advising the treasury depart
ment of its existence causes serious
apprehension lest it may become sud
denly widespread in its ravages.
1t will lie remembered that on the
9Th of February, Senator McCreary in
troduced bill promising that it had
been reported in responsible medical
JOURNAL of the United States that II
had been announced in Texas papers
that disease resembling cholera was
raging in Mexico at no great distance
from the frontier Of the United States,
and directing, therefore, that the sec
iretary of war detail medical officer Of
the army, under thea direction of the
surgeon general, TO investigate careful
ly the matter of said reports. IL is UNI
derstood that the surgeon general does
not deem it advisable to expend the APP
preparation on such evidence, and de
clines to detail the officer. The rapid
ity with which yellow fever is reported
to have taken hold at Key West would
seem to indicate favorable condition
of the climate for the spread OF cpl
demic diseases, and it is possible that
Surgeon General Barnes will be induc-
ed to comply with the act authorizing
the expenditure Of two thousand dol
lars before it is too late.
The following has been received at
the navy department from Captain q.
NJ. Ransom commanding the United
States steamship Colorado, dated Ha-
vana, March 30: "The yellow fever is
reported epidemic ahoat here. will
sail for the anchorage of Key West to-
morrow evening"