Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-08-12
THE QUARANTINE.
Great Improvements Made at the
Station on Presidents leland
No Cases OF Yellow Fe.
yer There.

Saturday afternoon health officer DR..
John Erskine, DR.. r. f. Brown, secre-
tary Of the hoard Of health, DR.. Aveut
and Major R. c. Nieolson, manager Of
Dunn's Mercantile Agency, made e trip
on. Captain B~roadhurst's steam yacht
Night Hawk to the quarantine station,
which is located on Presidents Island,
twelve miles below the city. The trip
from the wharf to the station was made
in an honr and fifteen minutes, the route
being down the Tennessee chute. The
visitors we're received by DR., A. A. Lau-
renee, the quarantine officer who has
charge Of the station. The visitors were
shown through the building, and over the
premises, Dr.. Erskine carefully inspect
ing the work done by the laborers en-
ployed to cut down and clear up
the small trees and underground.
The men have worked we'll, and
the quarantine grounds now pre-.
sent an inviting appearance. The
trees and underground for a con.
siderable distance has been chopped
down aud agreat open space greets the
eye. But ten days ago this was q dense
jungle of young cottonwood trees, rank
weeds and briars and wild grass. In
fact it then was almost impossible to
walk from one building to another, for
besides the briars, weeds and thick sap.
lings, we're piles of logs and thickly
matted grass. These, however, have all
been cleared away. The weeds, saplings
and brisrs have been burned, while the
larger trees, suitable for fuel, have been
chopped up and piled together. The
buildings are in good condition and will
present a somewhat inviting appearance
when whitewased, which we learn will
sooa be done. The hotel, though void
Of carpets and elegant furniture, is sup
piled with good beds, mosquito bars with
rude sticks for frames, serviceable chairs,
plain tables, writing-desks, etc. The
hospital, a hundred yards distant, is
fitted up with suitable beds and bed
ding and other convenieuces that
!. woull be serviceable should yellow
fever patients be landed there. The
: kitchen is a small frame building
a we'll known colored man named
!, Humphreys having charge Of the cuisine
The men at the quarantine station are
fed on Wholesome food. which Hum.
pbreys cooks in most excellent style. Sc
: far there has been only one yellow fevei
" patient at the quarantine hospital, younG
William Warren, who, twelve days ago
< came up on the steamer Golden Crown
from New Orleans. The young mar
died within thirty hours after reaching
the quarantine, aud was buried on tht
D. far side Of the island. He was kindl,
a. cared for and attentively treated by DR.
Laurence, but the fearful malady ha,
ID already gone beyond human control
Some difficulty has been experienced il
reg ,rd to steamers from New Orleans
,t for the masters object to a delay of ever
half anvhour, and would, if they could
- avoid any examination by the quaran
- tine physician. In every instance th
II. masters of the boats have denied the
: any person on board was sick with yeI
: low fever. DR.. Laurence ulakes a crit
! cal examination of all passenger
:. whether on local or through steamers
and inspectl every stateroom and apart
ment of steamboats,. A parrot gun !
stationed on the island so as TO hat
boats to. AS soon as a boat gets within
~ a mile OF the island the cannon
ar fred and then a large red fla
ed waved as a signal for the steamer t
land. Dr. Laurence, after making th
q requisite examination, gives to the maj
ar bCE - WlltbOu obhluhCub 40 w buO uohib
Of passengers, officers and crew. 1
d this manner steamers, when free Of ye
~ low fever, have the benefit Of this proc
" in the certificate Of the quarantine off
Ger. The authorities at ports abov
Memphis may be satisfied that there
IN sickness on all boats that cannot sho.
.49 certificates to the contrary. Whethe
the quarantine station will have receive
Tot yellow fever patients or not, DR.. La
renee entities himself to the warm cor
,s;. mendation Of our entire community. n
,us amount will compensate o physician {,
nd the danger he incurs in the adninistr
ton OF duties incident to the position b
tor fills as quarantine officer.
49, THE first bale Of new cotton was l