The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-14
EFw ORLEANS, December ~. 1875.
Prof. J., Il, Cabell. Nj. d. President American
Public Health Association.

pfof j. L, Cabell. NJ. ~, President American
Public Health Association:
Dear Doetor--I am In receipt Of your favor oil
the nineteenth iaslant. with enclosed circular.
and regret my inability to meet with the adyi.
sorry committee at Washington on the second Of
January. Business OF Importance connected
with our annual report and The assembling 81
the Legislature, which trust will devote part 81
its time to the consideration " sanitary meas
ares absolutely require my presence bore.
In regard 10 the ,.atters. which WILL come un
fof opnsideraiipn | my hero make some ol'-
IN silent on that occasion,
i. / believe that Congress has already dorEe
About all IN itH power In promoting the san-
fafy interest Of the psople when II enacted SEQ.
tfolB Area. 4Te3 and AGA. Uni Ell States Revised
STATUTES, making II The duty Of the general gov.
9rnn1Hnt 10 enforce. vii nll W. naval and Land
forces the execution Of all State Or municipal
quarantine laws: for bold, with Hon. J. Ran
AplDh Thicker. and Dynan I; Eaton; and Pref.
Thao. W. Dwight. and DIR. Elisha Harris. ths
distinguished ok. president Of tho American
Public Health Association. that the constitutions
dUes not authorize UunaIsss 70 leRislnte upon
than public. education or the. police regulation
Of states. The marine. hospital service has al
ready been charged With advisory duties. WHIP NH
genee, and In authorized 10 assume quarantine
At points requiring such txerctss and not pro-
fHpted by the local authorities. This legislation
regard as wIas and proper, though II IL ques-s
tionRble whether The latter function might not
be Htrictly regarded 49, an ussnrpation Of author
ftY under the color OF exppdeney.
believing as do that yellow fever is q spe-
clio disease. not Indigenous to tho United
States, and on exotic. am strong advocate Of
low fever usually prevails between the first Of
Nay and the flrst Of November. The several
Btntas which mnpt defend themselves. such as
Texas, Georgia, Louisiana. Alabama. Florida,
MissiEsippI South md North Carolina. Virginia,
Maryland. have the power, 81 pasa SUCH uuaran-
tine laws as viii efIectually prevent the intro
duciton OF the pestiehee. This, 1t ia believed,
X9nla gys tae whole country Immunity fron
1fxuv fnwn xvI1tii bst n n nf maj at
Here / beg to call your attention to plan for
avoiding constitutional objections. and ut the
same time securing the advantages Of uni
formity N carrying, cut system q quarantine.
which was'prpposeI by DR.. Herrlch. Of this city,
~ the late Richmond meatlp g Of the association
RRreed. I'm common with several prominent
delegates, That this was the most feasible solu-
tion Of difficult problem. and Ct his request
offered tho resolutions, OF which cory liz
herewith enclosed. 1t is also to be observed, rs
have already said. That Congress- has enacted
military and naval. shall not only comply with
State quarantine regulations. but assist In their
enforcement when called upon TO do 30. There
fore. asfde from the au stfon OF constitution
0lftv. 1t seems to me unnecessary to invoke the
aid Of Congress for quarantine powers.
Asto invessigatlon, that y quite another mat,
Tor and IL is certainly desirable. that 1t Bhould
b. placed in the hands OF the first sanitary
scientists of tho world. Experts In microscopy.
6 s en y Il
yellow fever, shonld visit the tropical portions
III America. where 1t prevails epidemically. AMI
there make and record their observations. III.
then, the result OF their labois submitted to
the revision Of such eminent men of science az
Tyndall Pasture and Petenkoter. useful re-
suits might b. expected.
N Ii to be feared, however that in the hnnds
of Uongreesmen the whole buainess will be
b ado snbservient to their political purposes.
and no netc li0ht will be thrown upon whGt zoe
ID not know about yellow fever.
Hoping that the executive and advisory com
mfttee Oh the American Public Health Associa-
stlpn will arrive Mt some definite conclusions.
"A remain. with assurance Of very distinguished
consideration. very respaaful!y and truly
yours. SAM. chopin, M. d..
President Board Of Health Of Louisiana.