The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-06
THE QUESTION OF QUARANTINE.

We find in the Republican of the 4th inst
q communication on the subject of quaran
tine from DR.. M. Schuppert, which we deem
sufficiently interesting and important to re
produce in our own columns. There is bu
one opinion as to quarantine being an ex
pensive nuisance, and the only question
among medical men is whether it shall be
abolished altogether, or BE so regulated az
not to detain vessels more than mere nomi
nal time. Doctor Schuppert was among those
who signed the protest addressed to the Board
of Health, and declares that he has always
been strong advocate for quarantine, but
believes that all the objects Of quarantine
can be attained by the use of the system Of
disinfection, which has been so satisfactorily
tried by Doctor A. Perry, at our own Quaran-
tine Station.
1t is quite bootless to inquire whether the
old system failed by reason Of any fault in the
system itself, or because of inadequate ad-
ministration, for in either case, the system
can only be regarded as relict of barbarous
age-a biting satire on civilization, and an in
suit to advanced science. It has been the
cause Of more suffering, and more shameful
death than would have waited upon all the
epidemics it ever, either theoretically or prac-
tically, averted. It has crippled our COM
merce and made New Orleans fair game for
rival city or aspiring town. and while there
can be no sort of doubt of its having MUIR
dered its thousands at the desolate and dread
full stations, where the yellow flag is the SYM
Dol of death, there is no evidence of its having
ever saved city or town from an epidemic.
DR.. Warren Stone, than whom there could
be no better authority, never wearied Of ridi-
culing the idea that quarantine could bar out
yellow fever. His theory, we believe, was
that the germs of the disease were waited
upon the unseen pinions of the air, and
laughed at the attempts Of man to stay their
insidious advances by placing yellow flag
and physician at any point or points what
ever. Whichever may be the true theory of
the dissemination Of this disease, one thing
has been most effectually and extensively
utter folly and cruelty of
quarantine.
The following is Dr.. Schuppert's article:
DISTINCTION PREFERRED TO QUARANTINE.
Editor Republican:
Quarantine" the Republican has reference to
IN address lately sent by number of
physicians to the Board of Health. The
Republican takes issue with that portion of
he address which reads: "That after many
years OF experiment quarantine has failed to
protect this city from yellow fever" and
inquiries, eff quarantine has failed to pro-
ect, is it the fault of the system or owing to |
imperfect administration The Judgment of |
he subscribing physicians is not given on !
his subject, which is the only point involved !
n the controversy"
In my opinion the failure to protect is |
wing to both, partially to the system, but
more SO to its inadequate administration; and |
low could this have been otherwise, when
he appointing power looked more into the
'olitical creed of the incumbent of that i'm
'ortant and responsible position than to quail
cation? But the main question devolves
pom the system, and here feel it a duty l
we to myself to explain my position. have
ways been q warm advocate for strict
uarsntine, and when signed that paper re-
Nesting the Board Of Health to abolish our
,uch abused and inefficient quarantine institu-
on, intended to have far better and
ficient proceeding set in its place. a pro-
eeding which besides would not obstruct the
of our city, of which We are so
luch in need. We know to-day that ship
,ming from an infected port may, even after
le original compact of forty days, still carry
its hold the infectious matter which will
nally develop into an epidemic. We have
nee learned to destroy effectually the germs
infection and are able to accom Mich that |
hours where formerly weeks were needed
I'd then no security obtained. 6
Why then, in the name Of common sense,