The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-31
Ts,e Ycl1ow !, Fever Exnar,s. Z

WASHINGTON, january 80. The Board of
EXPERTS authorized by Congress to fnyestf-
gate the yellow-ferer epidemic have submit
ted theirreport. The Board are unanimous
I'm the opinion that the investigation should
be completed, and that the study of the ma
turai history Of the yelow.feyer should be
Systematically pursued, and especially that
inquiries should embrace the perpetua!ly-in-
fected ports Of the West Indies. whose Fields
tits accordingly recommended that two or
three skilled experts be charged with the
completion OF the study OF the late epidemic,
and that at least two proceed to the W est
indies and make q more thorough study OF
the fever than has yet been un dertaken !;
that they be accompanied by an experienced
microscopic, and that Congress take steps
to securethe cooperation Of the Spanish and
other foreign Governments, through an in
ternational commission or otherwise, to as
certain the causes OF yellow-fever In the
West Indies the best way to remove causes
or lesson tue chances OF transporting the
poison to the United States and other conn-
tries. The Board .presents,the outlines Of a
system of quarantine which they say may
afford the greatest attainable degree OF pro-
lection against the introduction and spread
OF infectious epidemic diseases and at the
same time infiict only minimum OF injury
and Inconvenience upon commerce. Two
classes Of medical officers are isug-
gested-frst, medical officers OF health
to serve in foreign ports from which
we receive importatious OF Yellow
fever and cholera; =" secondly. medical
officers OF health to have charge Of the quar-
antine stations and to supervise Interstate
travel and traffic from Infected places on the
line OF the epidemic. These two classes are
considered indispensable to any method OF
quarantine which does not involve COM
plcte suspension Of intercourse with in
fccted ports. The Board regards it to be
especially important that the selection be
made from men skilled in medicine and
sanitary science. One of the difficulties
which confronted the Board is the lack Of
definite knowledge respecting the duration
OF life OF the vrulence Of velow-fever and
cholera. 1t is known that the poison Of
neither is susceptible Of long vitality when
exposed to the open air, but it has not yet
been determined how long its infected pro-
perties may be preserved in closelv-shut
chambers, or in compartments OF vessels,
or when confined in folds OF clothing or
goods.
Another difficulty arises from the imrer-
feet state Of scientific knowledge respecting
disinfectioD as appliedto the destruction OF
the poison Of yelow-seyer. 1t is deemed OF
great importance that means be row led by
Congress for obtaining trustworthy IN orma'
ton by telegraph in respect to the outbreak
and progress OF cholera, yelloW-feyer, and
OIL, her infectious diseases in all parts OF the
world. and the departure Of vessels from in
| fected ports bound for ports in the United
| States. The diffusion Of trustworthy lnfor'
| nation among the people respecting the eX-
istence and prevention OF the fever at home
and abroad should be encouraged as tending
to avert the evils OF the panic and promote
measures for the prevention Of it. It's con
sidered important that sueh,a department. oe
soon organized, SO as to gain strength from
and give strength to the State and munic'pa
health organizations.