New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-17
THE SOUTHERN PESTILENCE.
HOW THE POISON SPREADS.

HOW THE POISON SPREADS.
DR. wOODwoRTH's LETTER To THK MARINE HOS
PIrAL SURGEONS PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT
TIE SPREAD OF THE FEVER sUGGKsTFD.
IBr TELEGKAFH TO THE TRIBUEEI
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16.-Dr. John NJ. Woodwork,
SurgeOn-General Of the Marine Hospital Service, is
sued, this afternoon circular letter to the medical
officers of his department which is likely to attract
much attention. If DR.. WoodwortRs theory as
to the means by which yellow fever is
spread is correct, the present system of
land quarantine is in a great needless
it is annoying. His theory is that the disease is
propagated by germs transmitted through the
clothing and effects Of persons who have OF have
had the fever, and that persons who are sick with
the fever cannot communicate it except through
their clothing. The following is Dr. WOodworths
letter:
OFFTcR sURGRoN-GKNERAL
UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE,
WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. Is, 1873
To Medical O1tees Of ne Marine Hospital Serriee:
been called upon by the evil authorities TO take
charge OF vessels supposed TO be infected with
S snS qR Re SaGns 1iHsT A Il
is proper 20 state that the Quarantine Law enacted
rying t into effect this year. though by personal exer
ton every thing Is being done which Is possible without
tive duties which the act imposes upon the Sur
geon-General OF the Marine Hospital Service have
to pors OF the United states from without Tie act
pressy provides that this Office shall not interfere with
OF the states cities which be Interpreted 10 refer
especially to land quarantipes and the health
rules Of cities. Medical officers Of this ser
vice arc however. required 20 assist the
civil health authorities in AL proper and practicable
aud tho proyalenca OF yellow fever several of
Inland cities of the United States, # desirable
diydua views reference to tue disease and its pre-
ventonthese views not TO be regarded as having OIL
The weight OF scientific evidence seems TO warrant the
conclusion that yellow fever is produced by ar invisible
human organism, winch It enters through the air pass
AGES The poison germ, or miasm, pro
fever has prevailed IN most OF the Gulf
and Atlantic cities and In many OF the towns along tine
Mississippi RXer In instances II has been carried
inland, with tne people fleeing from infected localities
caly at points from the continuous water roads
OF ee lodge In high salubrOus places The
cities Of the great lakes have always been free from the
Yellow fever cannot be said TO be endemic in the
United the TACT hat IN some years u docs not
appear though the imported germ undoubtedly survives
the mid Winters IL appears to have ABOUT as much re-
sstance OF cold as banana plant When the banana
stock II killed down by the frost the yellow fever
does not recur until again imported. The germ y
smissable. &c l. capube Of being transported in
the clothing, in the personal effects Of passengers aud
sailors but spread from one city TO another Is ehltny
aerouplsbed by vessels their damp filthy holds and
bilse water being its fayOrte lurking places. CoBfne
ment moisture and hIgn temperature favor the mnlt-
plicafiOn or yirulence Of the poison. When a
wharf or spot OF ground or a mouse becomes
Infected the poison at once commences 10 spread,
creeping slowly M all possible directions, continually
enargng the area the centre OF Injection unless
checked by disnfeotiou has undoubtedly been done
Dy fhe carDOic acid In Hew-Orleans, In former
outbreaks.
yellow fever is not communicated from the sick TO
the we'll, tie sick ana well being dangerous only as
possible carriers Of the poison germ or miasn In
support Of this assertion, ~ may Do stated That AZ
hOsiltas where this effects Of yellow fever patients
are burned or otherwise thoroughly dsufectec before
inc adssnn Of she patient the attendants do BOt con-
tract the disease This has been demonstrated many
times All well persons whose ELECTS nave
been disnfccted may be considered harmless after six
or seven DAYS have elaped rum the tine Of leaving an
The disease asia % six days THIS snphhes
the ausstinu quarautlue-absOne land quaIan uues
heue deetned eabeand indicates the direction
az yye measures To the vessel cargo, or the 10
rattv N tie poison has found ludgnent on shore. A
vessel may escape Infection kept clean and dry, and
ail nars capabe OF beiug closed frequently sub
isrfed 10 III fumes OF burning sui bur, aud the men
euplovcd on board compelled 10 battle ana ehange
their Hannels daily and not allowed " sleep
On el or In the bold OF the vessel There Is an exam
ple Of a ship-tradiBg between Havana aud hrW-fOrk
upon VIII these precautions nave been euiOrCed l0r
Dgod OF twelve year,, aud not huge case Oi ytIo"
lever has occurred on board.
Though no. sufficiently demonstrated TO state as
fart st there good reason 70 believe that nuch
NAV he aecompshed by ndiyiaual pfOphya1is, by the
use Internally OF small doses Of suphate Of
0uiuiA az regular intervals, aud OF uneture
~ iron aud ohlJrute o. potash. A. the
Ia been suggested that the nasal Passages be batned
frequently with solution containing quluue. 10 DC Hp
piled By means Of nasal spray. JoHN ~ WOObWOkrH,
Surgeon. General u. .. 81. ii.