The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-17

DR. yANDERPoEL OPPOSED TO TOTAL NoN-INTEE-
COURSE WITH INFECTED PoRTs-oRIGIN or
THE DREAD DIsEAsE-NEw YORK AND THE
RECENT Epidemic IN THE SOUTH.
DIR. s. Oakley vanderpoel, Health Officer has just
rendered report to General James McQuade, presi-
dent of the Commissioners OF Quarantine. defending
the system of quarantine in vogue in this port.
and giving his idea of the means that
should be adopted to prevent the spread
OF yellow fever. He says he does not
believe the plan of total non-ntercourse with in
fected ports is good one. inasmuch as it would
seriously endanger the interests OF commerce. On
the contrary he is i'll favor of keeping up trade with
such ports, but subjecting all vessels coming from
them to rigid quarantine. With regard to yellow
fever he claims that it disease of
otto origin. He says strict observance of
hygienic laws will keep yellow fever away from any
locality provided the germs OF the disease have not
been carried into it under favorable conditions OF
heat and moisture Once it gains foothold he says,
in q locality whore filth abounds it will rage with
stamped ont. In this connection he says:-
Therefore gaining foothold, one does not wonder
al the fatality ANA Of yellow fever through
the Valley OF the mississippi Little, then could DO
done to stay its progress All the towns of that
non are. from many notable causes, sadly defective
The primary evil was in their imparfect!y managed
quarantine So long as quarantine regulations are
are left to uncertain caprice 80 long will epidemics
OF yellow fever yearly appear upon some portion OF
our extended seaboard.
DIR. vanderpoel next refers to letter which he
wrote to President Hayes i'll November last on this
subject and i'll which he says the principal centre OF
the propagation of yellow fever is Havana. whence
1t spreads to the other West India ports.
"lt is notorious he says further in this letter,
thut the hygienic condition OF Havana il very defec
tive; that the merchant marine compelled by the
popularity of the location to lie in the focus of
all the impurities and sitting exhalations, AMI
that, as q, result, vessel remain there
any length of time without becoming herself in
feced and the the victims OF the nialady. He
therefore suggested that the government OF Spain
be solicited unite with this government i'll the ap
pointment OF international commission, who shall
proceed to Havana with view to examine the sani-
ary surroundings OF that city and their relations to
the propagation OF the scourge and that the Spansh
government be earnestly requested to out fully
the joint recommendations OF such commission"
In closing his report DR.. Vanderpocl says:-"A
large number OF vessels from ports known to be in
fected arrived during the past OF these
unusual number had sickness ana deaths from yellow
fever either while lying III port on their passage
thther or after arrival Forty-tve cases OF yellow
lever in the lower bay an at the Hospital, and
OF these fourteen died. From the month of June
until the last OF September there not interval
OF three days without OF yellow fever being in
the bay. During all that period not the slightest
citenent or alarm was manifested by this immense
community at its near proximity; nor did vessel.
whether infected having sickness board, lose
her sailing day from this port"