The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-24
is chiefly from Havana that the danger is to be sp-

is chiefly from Havana that the danger is to be sp-
LETTER TO TIE PRESIDENT.
"Havc any steps been taken to improve the sani-
tary condition or HavanaY
I'm a letter written some time since to President
Hayes at his own request rocrred to the detective
hygienc condition OF Havana, and stated that II the
fever Is totally repressed there there would be little
cause for anxiety far any part OF this country
Is concerned From years of intercourse with those
VINO from necessity have studied the modes or
propagation OF the fever in Havana am safe III as
sorting that this Improvement can be effected ana
the disease in great measure stamped out. sub
United proposition to the President. in ehect:-
That The government of Spain be solicited to unite
with this government in the appointment of in
ternatlonal commission. who shall proceed to
Havana with a view to examine the sanitary sur
roundings Of that city and their relations to the
propagation OF the scourge aud that the Spanish
government be earnestly requested to carry out
fully the joint Recommendations of such commits
sion.
II know we have already" continued the Doctor,
ian American scientific commission appointed for
this purpose by the National Board of Health; but
all they do is to go to Havana, observe the prog
ross or the disease and study it's natural history.
For any practical benefits the commission is power
less 1t do nothing without the sanction or con-
currence of the Spanish government. Hence the
proposition for joint commission the two gov
erninents should be adopted and tho commission
commence operations a. speedily as possible"
do you apprehend any opposition ON the part of
the Spanish government
"None at all. But Spain has not much in
terest in the matter have. perhaps all,
except the loss of Thousand two of her soldiers
every year. The commerce Havana suffers but
little. for commerce Is daring and will seek all
channels that promise remunerative return. This
will naturally incline SPAN to be little tardy in
putting the suggestion into execution. Therefore
1t becomes government to take initiative go
to work with energy and the next Congress to adopt
for carrying out project OF such i'm
portance to this country"
HOW TO PURIFY HAVANA.
"lIave You any plan whereby you think Havana
can be purified and. as you say the disease stamped
Out?
without being personally cognizant OF the con-
dition am assured by incontrovertible authority
mention OF which was made III my letter to the
President-that the merchant marine ut Havana
compelled by the popularity OF the location to lie i'll
the locus OF all the Impurities and sitting exhala-
tions, and that, result, vessel can remain
there any length of time without becoming herself
infected and the crow the victims OF the malady
The tide being almost imperceptible. all the empty
ings OF the sewers remain in the harbor until
they become fntid and revolving mass
OF corruption, generating the germs OF almost
every kind of deadly disease. From what l
have heard Of the situation OF the country around
the OF the city by which the waters OF the
flowing Gulf Stream. OF the Gulf ITSELF can be
introduced into the harbor. which. continually how
ing outward, will carry on the foul matter before it
has time to accumulate and fester This project is
grander one for humanity than all the ship canals
the Isthmus Darieu or Suez ever conceived
You aware that the subject has already beon
brought before the public. and all that is wanted
now is the appointment Of an international joint
commission by the American and Spanish govern
mens to test its feasibility. as well to examine
into oil other matters touching the Improvement of
rs this country is concerned. from which you may
say the most dreaded endemic evils how."
THE SITUATION MEMPHIS.
Chow do you regard the situation ut Mcmphis?'
81 do not think it alarming, for several reasons
At any rate 1t cannot be widespread and fatal as
last year For instance among the population there
now large proportion had the disease year and
may be considered accmated and free from danger
The sanitary condition OF the city has also been
vastly improved in the meantime by the local
thorites and. furthermore there is in existence
National Board OF Health. which did not exist last
year, and which has been clothed by Congress with
plenary powers to prevent the spread OF all conta-
gous diseases. The Board Is composed OF upright
and experienced gentlemen. and there is doubt
they will do their iull duty"
PRECAUTIONS NEW YORK.
"Have any unusual precautions been taken against
the Introduction OF the yellow fever into the city
beyond those that existed last year?'
'None were necessary. No harbor in the world
was ever better prepared to resist the invasion of any
epidemic than the harbor OF New York is at this
time. 1t was so last year and remains the this
year. All infected suspected vessels
hauled and, ii necessity requires it, they obliged
to remain III the Lower Bay until thoroughly fun
igated and cleansed All fever patients are immea.
ately removed to the hospital, where experienced
medical treatment awaits them. Yellow fever pa
tients, however, IL the malady has TAR advanced
rarely recover but the same is bestowed upon
them as in more promising cases..
Have youaDy idea OF the condition of the city
itself regarding its healthtulness?''
although = member of tho Board OF Health, and
although attend its meetings. know little about
the sanitary condition OF the city itself that l
scarcely dare venture opinion on that point. 1
believe, however that the metropolis is in sound
sanitary condition as it usually is ut this OF
the year. In regard the streets and their filthy
state. all the board do is to report complaints
the Police Department. which responsible for their
cleanliness"
NINETY.NINE DEATHS AT HAVANA IN WEEK.
HAVANA. July %. 1879.
Ninety.nine deaths from yellow fever have oc-
Cured here during the week ended July 10. being
decrease Of nineteen as compared with last week.