The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-08-08

IT did not require the present yellow
fever scare to demonstrate the necessity Of
the establishment by the government of a
Marine Hospital at this port, but it has
served as an additional and strong reason
why it should be done. 1t is fact well
known 10 all river men and to those who
have paid attention to the subject that of
all government hospitals, except that at New
Orleans, along our lower rivers, the one at
this point is the most important, and should
be at all times prepared to meet such an
emergency as now threatens US. The rea-
sons for this are obvious. To all persons
along the rivers below us, who would be
ertitled to treatment while sick at the eX-
pense of the government, Cairo is, during a
time of panic from the scourge, an objective
point. 1t is this place first, and from here
anywhere to escapeit. The immense amount
oinorthward travel through here now, by rail
and steamer, illustrates this. Suppose some
of those who are entitled to government
treatment should develop the fever, or any
other contagious disease here, what provi.
sion has the government made to meet it!
Let us see what light the debate at recent
meeting of the Board of Health throws up.
on it. This very point was under discus
sion:
Dr. Waldo government surgeon In charge Of hos
p,all said In case any cases occurred in the city,
or were brought here who would be sent 10 the
hospital he wished to be advised before the patient
was lodged in the hosptal,as manywho claimed to be
marines were not entitled to treatment at the expense
OF the government, and II such cases were there he
would be personally held responsible for the cost OF
their treatment.
To the question put by Mayor Winter. DR.. Waldo
said patients could be treated At the hospital by any
physician, provided the city would pay the costs Of
such treatment.
Dr. Cunning said in case fever should come 1t
would be murderous to treat it in place as thckly
populated a. that in which the hospital Is located
ltwould be the worst policy In the world
Dr. Waldo said all river cases, except small pox,
were treated at the hospital and when the city pro.
hibited him from treating them there It took on
It's shoulders all the expense and responsibility OF
caring for them. 1t was the only place he had to
treat them.
Alderman Wright said the hospital had been
treating obnoxious and infectious diseases, much
to the dislike. End peril Of the school children and
residents of the vicinity, The city had built pest
house outside Of the populous portion OF town-no'
an elegant one hut one, 1t seemed to him, that wa'
good enough under the circumstances for the pur
pose. Why could the doctor not take his patients
thcreS lie should not as good citizen, want Il
treat them In the hospital, where the lives of all II
the ncighborh0od were impcriled. lie did not he
licvc the government Vas 40 poor or mean that i
would ask such thing
There is one important point which is no
alluded to in this debate The government
owns no hospital here. II has some arrange
mcnt with the Sisters who manage and con
duct general hospital wherein government
patients are provided with everything, w
believe, except medical treatment ant
medicines. The hospital, it should be borne
in mind, is located in a thickly settlet
neighborhood. In its immediate vicinity