The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-26
QUAR- ANTIN E.
IDr. Chopin Gives HIS Views Concerning
the Two Bflls Before Congress.


The unusually early appearance Of yellow
fever III the tropical countries south of us
has very naturally aroused some apprehen-
sion here, and very general anxiety on the
part Of the public to know what precautions
are contemplated to protect this city against
the introduction into it Of the dreaded Yellow
Jack. With d view to informing the people
upon this subject, a representative Of the
DEMOCRAT called upon DR.. Chopin, the
president of the Board Of Health, from whom
he ELECTED the following facts:
sg In reply to inquiries Dr. Chopin said the
reports from oil the countries south of this
fiji which the disease Is epidemic, establish the
fact that the poison Is very widespread al
4 Teady. This Is quite unusual at this season
Of the year, and this fact is sufficient to warn
us that the utmost care ana the most strin-
/ gent quarantine regulations are necessary to
the protection Of our city. It was only last
week that seven cases occurred on vessel
rom Santos, on the coast Of Brazil, during a
voyage to this port. The vessel, said the doc
y tor, brought me a letter from the consul at
Santos informing me Of the existence of yell
low fever at that port. The vessel was thor
Oughly disinfected on her arrival and will be
4 fumigated again 80 soon as her freight and
ballast are taken out.
Reporter see that the matter of uuaran-
! tine has been brought to the attention OF Con-
gress.
Or. Choppin-Yes; there are two bills now
before Congress bearing on the subject, one
introduced by Senator Eustis at my instiga-
lion, and another, which l have not seen,
Ry so b member Of Congress from
BY, q convention that met recently at Jackson
vile, Fla, to urge the establishment of
general and simultaneous system of quaran-
tine OF all Southern ports.
Rep.-What are the obstacles in the way of
4 local control Of the quarantine?
DR.. Cit i5 purely a legal question. Our
State law imposes duty on tonnage for the
purpose OF paying the expenses OF quaran-
tine which It, It appe;as can be- done BY the
Grees. Morgan and others resist the pay
ment OF these fees upon the ground Of the I'M
constit utionality of the law imposing them.
endeavored to. have the trouble, which has
0logy OF the law, amended by the Legisla-
tlre, but they had no time, they said, to pass
the act asked for. Failing to induce the
Legislature to DO what was necessary, sub
ney Of the Board of Health, and after exam
ming the law he embodied my suggestions in
bill to be laid before Congress, which obvi-
Ates oil difficulty by vesting the State with
s1ul authority in the premises. This is the
Rep. What are the features of the bill?
DR.. Cit simply proposes to authorize the
State to establish quarantine and impose
duty on tonnage from infected ports to de-
fray the expenses Of disnfection, and thus to
Obviate the opposition to the law upon the
ground Of Its unconstitutionality
Rep What are the features of the bill in
troduced by the member from Georgia !?
Or. CT have the bill, but have not yet ex-
aInined 1t. i understand, however, that it
proposes that the whole matter of quaran-
tine shall be taken control Of by the Federal
authorities.
Rep.-Don't you think this plan would be
more efficacious, by reason of the general
quarantine that could be established at all
Southern ports?
DR.. C.-There would be no difficulty about
that The quarantine should be under local
control, and, with the authorization of Con-
Xress to obviate the resistance now made to
II, the existing State law will secure the most
rigid and efficient quarantine There will be
no difficulty in the establishment of quaran-
tine OF all ports where it is necessary. But,
~ have said before, have not examined
the act you speak of, and cannot give my
opinion Of 1t now.
After obtaining the Doctors consent to the
publication Of the interview, containing facts,
as 1t does, OF the utmost interest to this COM
munity, our reporter retired, thanking him
Tor the information so kindly afforded.