The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-31
CAUSES AND EXTENT on THE EPIDEMIC
How the Disease Is Transmitted
Through Trade Channels.
MEANS OF PREVENTION AND CURE.
New System ofQuarantine
Recommended.


The Board OF experts authorized by Congress to
investigate the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 sub
mitted their report to the joint Congressional
mittee at it's meeting this morning. After quoting
the several questions which laid before them
by the JOINT committee upon which they 70
base their inquiries the report sets forth that great
number of facts have been gathered respecting tho
history of the late epidemic OF yellow fever which
have guided the Board in arriving at the
conclusions which respectfully submfvted in
reply to questions of the Congressional committees
on epidemic diseases. II should be borne in mind
that these conclusions based upon evidence Of
necessarily incomplete investigation OF the cpl
demic--incomplcte because of the urgent demand
for public health legislation during the present
sion OF Congress. Otherwise the Board might not
be held excusable for the seeming haste in dealing
with this great subject For among the most difficult
questions which confront those which relate
to the prevention OF disease and uutnely DEATH and
this is especially true in respect to yellow fever and
cholera the mysterious and Elusive Of which
become associated with in his travels and traffic.
The Board is unanimous in the opinion that the
investigation Of the late epidemic should be com
pleted and the study of the natural history of yellow
fever should be sysematically pursued and especially
that the inquiries should brace the perpetualy in
fected ports Of the West Indies whose fields give tho
Sretest promise OF practical results as the reward or
faithful scientfcinqury. 1t is accordingly recon-
mcnded that two three skilled experts be charged
with the completion of the study of the late cpl
that at least two such experts be authorized
to proceed to the West Indies. there to
make thorough study of yellow
fever than has ever yet been undertaken. and that
they be accompanied by experienced microscopist.
1t is further recommended that the necessary steps
be taken by Congress to tho cooperation OF
the Spanish and other foreign governments through
international commission or otherwise, in an
earnest effort to ascertain the or causes which
perpetuate yellow fever from year to year in the
West India islands, and to devise ways to remove the
causes to lessen the chances OF transport
ing the poison to the United States or other coun-
tries.
EFFECTS OF THE pIsRAsK
Yellow fever shouldN be dealt with enemy
which imperiis life and cripples commerce and in
dustry To no other great nation of the earth is yell
low fever calaInitous as to the United States of
America. In single season more than one hundred
and $1,000 lives sacrificed by this preventable dis
sase. Systematic scientific study should be unceas-
ingly directed against this subtle enemy until our
hold it in check. In the benefits accruing
from scientific research America has received
an aSa eSt bn which has
ndksi ueg IN tne hgnI OF scientific experience
and OF such facts have been obtained. the Board
has given careful consideration to the outlines OF
system Of observation Of yellow fever and Cholera
and as connected Herewith to shipping in foreign
ports to interchange of information. and to the in
specton and sanitation OF injected vessels and per-
outside OF our ports and after their arrival to-
traffic in times OF epidemic within our borders.
A SYSTEM OF QUARANTINE
The object aimed Mt is to present the outlines or
system of quarantine which may afford the greatest
attanable degree Of protection against the introduce
ton and spread of infectious epidemic diseases and
Mt the same time inhict only u minimum OF injury
aud Inconvenience upon commerce. Two classes OF
medical officers are suggested
Iyrst-Nedcal officers OF health to serve in foreign
ports from which We receive importatons or yellow
fever and cholera.
Sseond-Medicai officers Of health to have charge of
quarantine stations and to supervise interstate
travel and traffic from infected places in times OF
epidemic.
considered indispensable to any method of quaral-
tine which docs not involve complete suspension OF
II TO be especially important that the selection Of
these officers hould be made from men skilled in
medicine and sanitary science. The success OF any
modified quarantine scheme depends almost entirely
upon the competency and fidelity of its medical OFF,
Gers one of the difficulties which has confronted
the Board considering tho subject of quarantine is
the lack of definite knowledge respecting the
duration of life the vrulcnce OF poisons OF
yellow fever and cholera It Is now known that she
exposed the open air. but it is not yet determined
how long its infectious properties may be preserved
In closely shut chambers or in compartments OF vcs
sells or when confined in the folds OF clothing or
goods. II consequently follows that ships are espe-
ali
they remain Of injection for months after hav
ing been infected with the poison Another difnculy
arises from the imperfect state OF scientific know-
edge respecting disinfection as applied 10 the dc,
str,con of the poison of yellow lever 1t is deemed
Of great importance that means may be provided
by Congress tor obtaining trustworthy inforina-
ton by telegraph in respect to the outbreak and
progress OF cholera, yellow fever and other epidemic
diseases in all parts of tho world and the departure
of vessels from infected ports bound for
ports in the United States. The diffusion
Of trustworthy information among the people
Of preventabic diseases at home and abroad
should be encouraged tending TO avert the evils of
panic and 10 promote measures OF prevention: Inc
CARRYING into effect Of efficient system os quaran
tine contomplates central authority or health de-
pnrtmcnt. II is considered important that such
department should be so organized az to gain strength
from and give strength to state and municipal health
organizations. In view of the diversity OF circum
stances tue diference exhibited by different
ports in respect to their liability to infec-
ton aud the difference in such liability IN
crcumstanc,s IL desirable that matters OF detail
should not bc hxcd by law but should be left to
lations 20 be prepared under proper restrictions.
The grcat interests which such regulations would
cusrd and the necessity for changes In them from
time TO time. ~ increased experience and knowledge
or other causes might indicate. warrant tho recon-
incubation for the establishment OF an advisory
Board of Health. to be composed Of men eminent in
sanitary matters who together with the chief officers
OF the Health Department, shall frame all nccdful
rules and regulations tor carrying into effect sublect
10 the approval of the President such national public
health laws as may be enacted
CHARACTER OF THE DISEASE.
The Board dwell ut considerable length on the
oruln cause and destructive features of yellow fever
and say 1t Is specific disease aud Is produced by the
introduction IN the human organism of specific
poison. The specific poison OF yellow fever has
| never been microscopicaily nor chemically demon
stratcd In any way made evident to tho human
scnscs Nevertheless. We hold that 1t Is safe to as,
eume that Il material and participate and endowed
| with the ordinary properties and subject to the
ordinary laws OF material substances Yellow fever
is not malarial disease; that is IL Ia not the of
| spring of that aarsh miasin which produces
| paluda or periodic fcvers. and we know OF no
\ facts which warrant the conclusion that maiarial
| influences contribute toward tho dissemination
and mortality of yellow fever in any other way or 90
any greater extent than they contribute toward the
dissemination and mortality OF other epidemic dis
eases In all tho countries outside of the West Indies
| which have been visited by il yellow fever is an
exotic Disease and In all of them its introduction can
be traced, either directly Indirectly, to the west
indies. In of them il seems TO have established
| itself permanently and to have become endemic, az
for example, In tho Brazls. In most OF them II has
failed of naturalization and successive epidcmics can
| he traced to successive importations.