Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-28
THE v COMMISSION.
Their Proceedings Yesterday-Inqui-
ry into the Causes Of Yellow
Fever.
A Full Investigation to be Mads---The
Several Working COMMITTEES,
Etc., Etc.

The experts ofthe congressional yellow
fever commission convened at the Pea
body Hotel parlors yesterday with Sur
geon-G Genera Woodwork as chairman
and NJ. S. Craft as secretary.
DR.. John M. Woodworth, of Washing
ton, as president, and DR.. Samuel NJ. Be
mis-, member Of the board of experts, sub
mitted a memoranda suggesting q plan of
operations, of which the following are the
main points;
The subject of cholera to be reported on
from previous publications regarding the
mslady, as none now exists in this coun-
try. The meteorological phenomena to be
carefully studied previous to and during
the prevalence of yellow fever also the
geological conditions, the nature of the
soil, the water retained in it and all other
matters that may influence malaria in the
atmosphere, including microscopieal ex-
aminations of the water, the air and the
blood of fever patients, also the general
effect of fever upon patients after the cpl
demic; also the expenditure of money and
injury to business.
A visit to the West Indies, from whence
yellow fever is generally imported into
this country, also to Mexico, where it
prevails in its most violent form, is recon-
mended.
Progress regarding the labor of the
commission at work for some time past
under the direction of the surgeon general
Of the navy, DR.. John M. Woodwork,
was stated in brief as follows:
The investigation began at New Or
leans October l by DR.. Bemis, DR.. Je-
rome Cochran and Professor E. Lloyd
Howard, aided by Professor Richardson,
of Philadelphia Colonel Thomas S. Har-
dee and Surgeon Robert White, Of the
hospital service. -Four clerks were en-
ployed to aid and push the work, which
so far has been mainly directed to
the cause OF the commencement and
spread Of yellow fever. Practitioners of
medicine and public officials have CO.
operated to assist the labor at all points
visited. In this city the authorities ex-
pended fully $1,000 toward the objects in
view and twenty-eight of the lately in
fected places were visited. Full inquiry
has been made concerning the history,
circumstances and progress ofthe fever at
each place.
Among the inquiries are: First-"How
did the first case of fever originate? ~
Second-Concerning the contagious prin-
ciples Of the disease. Third-The inauence
Of railroads and vessels concerning the
conveyance of the malady. Fourth,
concerns the effect of guarantees. Fifth
About disinfection and its effect. Sixth
Local influences, duration and severity
Of the disease, including topography,
sanitary condition aud drainage of the
several places. Seventh-What measures
of individual prophylaxis were tried, and
the results. Eighth-The modification Of
other summer diseases. Ninth-The dis.
eases among animals. Maps have been
prepared showing the location of each case
Of fever. For New Orleans FIVE different
maps have been prepared, showing the
situation when the fever broke out. Also
the situation in July, August, September
and October.
In reference to the memoranda DR.
Cochran offered a resolution, which wa
adopted, that the same course be pursued
by the congressional commission as hal
during the past three months been don,
by the commission under the surgeon
generals orders.
A resolution was also adopted for tn,
board of experts to visit various points il
the South recently infected with yellow
fever: Hickman, Milliken's Bend, Delta
Delhi, Helena, Lafourche region, Tech,
country, lower coast, Covington, Mande
vile, Pennington, Bay st. Louis, Pas
Christian, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Ca
Island, Mississippi City, Morgan City
Pilot Town, Dry Grove, Bolton, Green
vile, Canton, Vicksburg, Donaldsonville
Baton Rouge, jackson, Plaquemine, Gre
= NADIA, New Orleans, Memphis and Mobile
! 1t was agreed to assign Colonel Harde
/ to the examination Of yellow fever in
4 fected towns, so as to supply information
regarding their elevation, soil, climate an,
other surroundings; also to e1amin
: Natchez and other places where there wa
Q no fever last summer.
The members of the board are to b
divided into subcommittee to visit th
various places.
The following committees were AZ
e pointed to carry out the labor of the CON
mission:
Reports and publications-The presider
s OF the board, the secretary Of the boar'
e Drs. Bemis, Cochran, Green.
.sJ Origin, cause and distinctive features
yellow fever and cholers-Drs. Cochran
Graft, Falligant, Swearingen, Mosher.
l. Means to be adopted by which the il
PRODUCTION and spread of yellow fever an
cholera may be prevented-Drs. Mitchell
Mosher, Randle, Craft.
(. Deaths, expenditure of money and il
Jury to business--Dr. Green, Colonel Ha
dee, DR.. Randle.
At Several gentlemen of the commissic
win take their departure to-day, includir
DR.. Woodwork, for New Orleans, Dl
Bemiss, Green and Chaille for Soul
Louisiana, DR.. Falligant for the gulf COZ,
g. and Drs. Craft and Mosher for the riv