The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-10-10
A GULF QUARANTINE.

We learn that 1t is the purpose OF Dr. Bell,
OF the National Board OF Health, to recon-
mend very strongly the establishment OF
Gulf quarantine station at Ship Island. The
Idea Ia to supersede the necessity for the pres
emit quarantine station on the Mississippi
river, and TO locate the station on property
belonging to the United States government.
DR.. Bell is pronounced In his objections to the
Mississippi river quarantine station, and
thinks the site the very worst that could
have possibly been selected. II to SO located
that, with the force at the command OF the
officers, communication with the city cannot
be prevented; the anchorage Ia bad, infected
ships cannot be kept properly separated from
those free from infection, the place ls infected
with mosquitoes and the accommodations
for the sick are OF the rudest and most un-
satisfactory character. AS an instance OF this
DR.. Bell cites the fact that there are no means
whereby a sick person can be taken from
ship to the shore In q recumbent position, and
that no matter how Iii the patient, he Is COM
PEELED to walk and often to climb down
ladder swung over the vessels side.
In cases OF fever this treatment must al
most necessarily result fatally, and steps can
has doubtless cost many lives. At the New
York and other quarantine stations there are
arrangements for keeping patients In re-
oumbent position, and they are transferred
from one vessel to another by means OF q
swinging cot, which Is a very simple mechan-
ical contrivance, and without which the move
ment OF fever patient must always be at
tended with extreme danger.
The National Board had appropriated $4,000
for the erection of suitable quarantine build
ings at the station, but DR.. Bell will strenu-
ously oppose the expenditure OF that point
by reason OF Its peculiar untitness, and will
advise the construction OF a station at Ship
Island, which he claims has every advantage
over the present location. Being In the gulf,
1t Is perfectly salubrious, has fine harbor,
and with the construction Of the wharves and
warehouses and hospitals contemplated would
be no doubt an admirable station. Not the
least of Its recommendations Is the fact that
a ship detained there as infected could be
loaded and unloaded and proceed
on her voyage at considerable less ex-
pense than would be incurred IL she
came to the present quarantine station. This
is matter Of such Importance as to demand
the very serious consideration Of our State
authorities, who, we believe, very generally adj
NIT the wretched situation OF our quarantine
station. To be compelled to remain there ten
days, cooped up on a ship. without adequate
means OF protection from the ravenous mos
quitoes, Is but one remove from purgatory.
It Is place where no sane and we'll man will
remain If he can possibly escape, and the most
stringent law that could be enacted could not
prevent people from leaving and making their
way to the city. The detention Is bad enough
and hard enough to bear, but when 1t Is cou-
.pled with the awful infections Of burning
heat, Unsuitable mosquitoes and bad accom-
modations, human nature cannot be expected
70 ata nd II