Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-30
YELLOW FETER.


10 investigate the yellow fever epidemic OF
ISIS. submitted their report TO the joint Con-
gressional committee at its meeting this morn
ing. After quoting the several questions which
were laid before them by the joint committee.
upon which they were to base their inquiries
facts have been gathered respecting the history
or the late epidemic OF yellow fever. which
nave guided the board in arriving at the con-
clusions, which are respectfully submitted i'll
reply 10 the questions OF the Congressional
committees on epidemic diseases II should be
Uorne in mind that these conclusions are blSed
upon the evidence OF necessarily Incomplete
lhNeatlgatlOn or the acknowledgements be
cause OF the urgent demand for public health
ieglsiaIi0n S during the present session of Con-
gress, Otherwise the board might not be held
eAcusable for the seeming haste in dealing With
this great subject
The board is unanimous in the opinion that
lne investigation or the late epidemic should ba
competed. and that the study OF the natural
history OF yellow fever should be Systematically
puIsued,and especially that the inquiries should
embrace lhe perpetually infected parts OF the
west IndieS whose fields give the greatest
promise OF practical results. as the reward of
ialanIul a scientific inquiry. 1t is accordingly
iecoihmended that two or three Skilled experts
Ce charged with the completion of the study of
ire late epidemic, which can be concluded in a
ie" months, and that at least two such experts
De authorKed TO proceed to the West Indies
Inefe 10 make more thorough study of yeloy
feVer than has ever yet been undertaken, and
lGat they be accompanied by an experienced
Tie necessary steps be taken by Congress to
secure the cooperation OF the Spanish and
olEer foreign governments, through an inter-
national commission Or otherwise in an earnest
ebert 10 ascertain the cause or causes which
rerretuate the yellow fever from year to wear
ID ID TIE West & india islands, and to devise ways
10 remove the cause OF causes Or TO lessen he
chances Of transporting the poison TO the
nted states or other countries.
1euoW fever should be d oalt with as an en-
emy which imrerils life and cripp!es commerce
trrp NJ off Ip
earth is yellow fever so calamitouS as to the
nltCd states OF America. In a single season
more than hundred thousand OF our people
we've stricken in their homes. and twenty thou
saEd lives sacrificed by this preventab!e disease.
systematic scientific study should be unceaS-
Isly directed against this subtle enemy until
our weapons are so perfected as to DESTROY or
10 surely hold ii in check. In the benefits fol-
lowing from sccntinc research, America has
received from European nations more than she
has bestowed, but the opportunity is now
offered to pay a part OF the debt by contlnu-
ing 10 completion, so far as human skill
VIII permit the work which has been begun
IN lbe light OF scientific experience and OF
such facts as 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
10 shipping In foreign ports, to the Interchange
OF Information, and to the Inspection and Sani-
tatlon or Injected vessels and persons outside
or cur ports, and after their arrival, together
WIN the supervision OF Interstate travel and
ua1llc Id times OF epidemic within our borders
Tie object aimed at is to present the outlines
OF system OF quarantine which may afford the
greatest attainabie degree Of protection against
the introduction and spread OF infectious epi-
delnic diseases, and at the same time inflict
Only minimum of injury and inconvenience
upon commerce. Two classes OF medical Off
GERS are suggested. First, medical officers of
fealth 10 serve In foreign ports flon which we
receive lmportations OF yellow fever and chol-
era; secondly, medical officers of health to have
charge OF quarantine stations and to supervise
Interstate travel and traffic from infected
places IN times OF epidemic.
The board regards it TO be especially import
ant that the selection OF these officers should
be made from men skilled in medicine and san
1tary science. The success of any modified
quarantine scheme depends almost entirely
upon the competency and fidelity of its medical
officers. One Of the difficulties which has con-
ffonted the board in considering the subject OF
Quarantine is the lack OF definite knowledge
reSpe citing the duration OF life or virulence OF
the poison OF yellow fever or cholera. 1t is
Known that the poison OF neither is susceptible
but it is rot yet determined how long its infec-
tlouS properties may be preserved In Closely
smut chambers or In compartments Of vessels,
or when confined in the folds OF clothing or
goods. 1t const Quently follows that ships are
especially dangerous carriers OF these diseases,
and also that they remain sources Of infection
poison. Another difficulty arises from the i'm
perfect state OF Scien1 flc knowledge respecting
disinfecticn as apple 10 theiieStruction OF the
poison OF yellow fever.
1t is deemed of great Importance that the
means may be provided by Congress for obtain
ing trustworthy information by telegraph in
respect to the outbreak and progress OF yellow
fever and other epidemic diseases In all parts OF
the world and the departure of vessels from
injected ports bound for ports In the United
states. The diffusion of trustworthy tnforma-
uon among the people respecting the existence
AID progress or preventable diseases at home
and abroad should be encouraged as tending to
avert the evils OF panic and to promote mea-
sureS Of prevention.
The carrying into effect of an efficient system
OF quarantine contemplates central authority
or health department 1t is considered import-
ant that such department should be so organ
tzed as TO gain strength from and give strength
10 state and municipal health organizations. In
vessels arriving from infected ports, the differ
ence exhibited by different ports In respect to
their liability to Infection, and the difference ln
such liability in the same port at different sea-
SONS and under varying circumstances, it is de-
slrable that matters Of detail should not be
liked by law. but should be left TO regulations
TO be prepared under proper restrictions. The
great interests which such regulations would
guard and the necessity for changes In them
from time TO time, as increased experience or
knowledge, or other causes might Indicate,
warrant the recommendation for the establish
meHt OF an advisory board OF health, to be COM
posed CT men eminent In sanitary matters, who,
together with the chief officer OF the health de-
paItment, shall frame all needful rules and reg
uations for carry ing into effect, subject to the
approval Of the President, such national public
health laws as may be enacted.
MARINE OFFICERS ORDERED.-Captain r. W.
Huntingdon I. S. marine corps, is ordered to
the Portsmouth (N. H. barracks, and 1st Lieut..
j. B. Breese TO the Brooklyn barracks.
THE House COMMITTEE ON PATENTS this morn
ing agreed to report the Senate bill to revise
the laws relating to patents without amend
ment.
THERE IS no ISSUE WHATEVER between the
Solicitor Of the Treasury and the chief of the
secret service, nor any kind of misunderstand-
ing. The Solicitor has not refused to pass any
account submitted to him by the chief; nor has
the chief refused to render any account. Every
account rendered by the latter has been fully
nemiZed and accompanied by vouchers, and
after proper examination by the accounting Of
hcers has been approved by the Solicitor.
THE REPUBLICANS In THE HOUSE, aided by
ten ortwelye democrats, to-day succeeded, by
vote Of a dozen majority, in securing MORN
ing hour. The effect of this was to bring uo
for discussion the bill which led to the heated
political debate last week. in which Gen. Bragg
OF wisconsin, read the riot act to the southern
democrats. In order to prevent a recurrence
or the excitement OF last week Mr.. Hewitt OF
New York, moved to reconsider the vote
whereby the morning hour was ordered. The
vote was being taken by yea and nay but was
cut short at 2 O'Clock by the ruling of the
MI Nn1 Al. ,A.~1--