Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-02-25

IN the United States during the year 1878; the e.
penGiture OF money and Injury to business resultin
The experts were distributed to various places re
Gently infected with yellowfever 10 investigate an
collect facts preparatory TO reporting upon tn
questions propounded but under orders to meet a
agree upon their conclusions and make their report
joint subcommittee Of three senators and thre
representatives was sent TO New Orleans, and sim
liar SUB committee was sent TO Memphis; each .
which committees took the testimony Of large NUN
Der OF medical and commercial men, which wa
submitted 70 the board of scientific experts upO
their meeting on lthe fifteenth of January, 1878
with such other communications from medical mel
and scientists as had come to the hands Of the
mlttee. The board or experts having before 1t ais
the results Of the labOrs of what is known tn
yellow Fever Commission" organized by the su
peIyising surgeon OF the marine hospital service II
1878, and the expenses OF which we're paid by tn
muntfcent charity of Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, o
On the thiTtleth of January. 1879, the board o
experts submitted their report to the committees 0
the senate and house or representatives, In join
session, which, with the evidence and communica
tons above referred TO- Is herewith presented al
appendix TO this report.
The board of experts say that, according to tn,
test mony OF existing records, yellowfeysr has In
yaded the present territorial limits of the UnieC
States" In eighty eight years between 1898 anC
1878, and that the evidence of importation fol
seventyseven OF these eighty eight years Is more OF
less complete. and that every epidemic that has Oc
Cured in the United States be traced e1thel
with certainty with high degree of probability
TO new import lton, ana that there is conclusive
proof that the disease is indigenous TO any part OF
the United States, or originated here In any single
instance; but 1t is admitted that there are TACT:
which seem TO warrant the Inference that in some
of our southern cities, the specific poison of the
disease, when hidden away from t. G cold In shell
tered places, may live through mild winter, and
sTea cs Of f inc s5 f to scat
cases nave at any time given rise to an epidemic is
not cOnclu i've"
the conclusions arrived at by the board of scientific
experts after the fullest and most careful investga-
ton possible within the short time allowed the COM
mtIee strongly incline to the opinion that neither
yellow nor cholera Is indigenous to any part
the United States and that the great majority If not
all the epldemics OF these diseases with which the
country has suffered SO greatly have resulted from
importation.
The committee is of opinion that the best and
only certain means OF preventing the Introduction of
these diseases from other countries is absolute non
intercourse with ports where they exist in epidemic
form during the time they so exist.
And the next best means of prevention Is a we'll
ments as to the observance of all proper SANITARY
measures at the port of departure by all vessels sail
Ing from lnfecled ports, and equally strict require
ments and endorsements of ali necessary
or such vessels, their caIgoes, passengers, and
crews, and the thorough dlSinfect1On of the same
when necessary at quarantine stations before being
allowed TO eUter any port of the United States.
While these quarantine regulations may not give
absolute security against the poTaton OF these dis
eases they will in The opinion of the committee pre-
vent Importation to very large extent. and secure
benefits greatly In excess of any possible cost of
their enforcement. The public health is second in
importance to question which addresses itself to
the consideration of the legislator, and congress
should, in the opinion of the committee, within the
scope of its constitutional powers adopt such meas
ureS as are best calculated to preserve and promote
In the exercise of the power ito regulate commerce.
with foreign nations and among the States" the
regulations should be such as not only to promote
the commercial interests of the country by meas
ures suggested by those considerations which have
generally heretofore controlled these regulations,
but should also regulate as to prevent far pos
sible, the importation Of contagious infectious
State.
the passage of bill which prescribes certain duties
to be observed and performed by all vessels coming
from any foreign port where any contagious or in
fictitious disease exists before departure and inspec-
ton dnd IL necessary, dtSinfeciiOn and detention Of
vessel, cargo, passengers and before entering
ans port of the United States And also establish
e5 bureau OF health, with a directorgeneTal OF
health as Its chief executive officer and board Of
health composed OF seven members. to be appointed
by the President by and with the advice and consent
OF the senate and the suTgeon-general of the army
and tue suTgeon-generdl OF the navy to be OtciO
members of said beard, and that said bureau Of
health shall be charged with the execution OF all
sanitlTy measures within the District Of Columbia
which are nov or may hereafter be required by law
or made in pursuance thereof and also the making,
with the approval Of the President, such uniform
quarantine rules and regulations upon the commerce
with foreign nations and between the States as may
De deemed necessary and authorized by law and the
execution or the same. 1t Is also charged with the
supervision of all matters connected with the ma
flee of supervising surgeon OF that service be abO-
lshed II is also chargeI with the duty OF obtaining
information as to the sanitary condition of foreign
ports.
While thu bill reported by the committee does not
BEe s f8effs BeIeRRed5f a g gcssss and
IS.
In tie opinion of the com mittee step in the right
direction, the beginning of system that the calam-
tiles OF the past have proved to be necessary, and
In the opinion of the committee. congress has no
power to supersede Interfere with any quarantine
regulations operating wholly In any State, which
may have been or Inay hereafter be adopted by any
State established by the authority of any state;
but Independent OF, and In addition to such quaTan
tine regulations as the States may have adopted, or
may hereafter adopt, congress mas the power to SO
regulate commerce as to prevent the importation OF
contagious infectious diseases from foreign
tries and from one State to another.
The bill reported by the committee proposes CO.
operation with State and municipal authorities
without interfering with their respective systems
and Invites the State authorities TO undertake the
execution of Its provisions and provides for the ap-
pOintment of quarantine officers OF the United
States only at such places as the State authorities
may refuse or fail to execute the law of the United
States and the regulations made pursuant thereto.
While the committee is of opinion that the enforce
ment of quarantine regulations is important to pre-
vent the introduction and spread OF epidemic dis
cases. II is equally we'll satisfied of the importance
OF enforcing strictly the most thorough local SAM
taTy measures in every city and town that would pro
tect the lives and promote the health of its citizens
While the weight of testimony greatly prepondeT
ates, and the opinions of the committee strongly in
cline 10 the conclusion that neither cholera ner vel
loWever is ind genOus to the United States yet the
proof OF the fact that the latter II not BOTH ma!
not originate here Is not conclusive as to justin
or warrant cities towns or communities in relaxing
in the slightest degree In the observance and en-
forcement of all local sanitary necessary
and promOtiVe Of health.