River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-10-03
National Inpes,iouti,,g Commission.


WASHINGTON, Sept. 30.-The following cir
cular was issued this afternoon by the surgeon
general of the marine hospital service, depart
ment of the United States treasury:
OFFICE SURGEON GENERAL, UNITED STATES
MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE, WASHINGTON, Sept.
80, l87S.-To the Chambers of Commerce and
Boards of Trade of the Cities of New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, Chi
cago, st. Louis, and Cincinnati: Soon after
the yellow fever appeared in Memphis, several
leading citizens of that city applied to the
President to appoint a committee to inyesti-
gate and report upon the danger and progress
of the epidemic The President would have
taken prompt action in the matter
had there been any apprt priation available
for such commission. Fortunately
a noble lady, Mrs. Elizabeth Thorn son, of
New York actuated by the same motives that
prompted the citizens of Memphis. addressed
me asking what she could do toward the great
end in view and pledged an amount to
start general subscription for the purpose.
My reply led her to say that she would If
necessary, contribute sufficient to meet the
expenses of commission provided L would
promptly undertake its organization and direct
a thorough investigation of the causes of the
epidemic, with the view of preventing such
deplorable visitations of yellow fever in the
future.
In view OF the foregoing anu acting upon
the advice of members of the American public
health association, organization represent
ing all sections of our country, have appoint
ed Prof. S. w. Bemiss, M. D., of New Orleans,
Jerome Cochrane NJ. d.. of Mobile, and third
member whose acceptance has not yet been re-
ceived, to act as such commission. DIR. Elisha
Harris. president of the American public health
association. has consented to join the yellow
fever commission in the field about the goth of
October. Should the contributions of money
be sufficient, or congress direct, two or three
scientific experts will be attached to the COM
mission for the purpose of extending your line of
inquiry as far practicable and useful into
the nature and causes and conditions governing
the disease itself
have instructed the commission that the
great object of the investigation should be to
CLEAN ali the important facts possible to be OBJ
tanned which have reference to measures of
prevention of future epidemIcs. The work viii
be commenced at New Orleans, and as many as
possible Of the afflicted cities and towns wiz be
visited before the 10Th of November next
on which day the American Public
Health association will convene in special
session to review the facts which the commits
sion shall have gathered up TO that time With
the view of determining the best course to be
pursued by the commission. including Its
labor. being charged with the execution OF the
national quarantine act approved April lstn,
1873. L shall submit report of the commission
to the secretary of the treasury TO be transmit
ted to Congress By the President.
Mr.. George W. Riggs, of Riggs Z To- BANK
ers, Washington City, has consented 70 act as
treasurer to receive and disburse funds con-
tributed which viii be devoted exclusively to
expenses of the commission. and be publicly
accounted for. Should you desire 70 assist 10
defraying the expenses Of It's undertaking.