Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-03
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
Report Of the Yellow Fever Commission
---causes and Extent Of the
Epidemic.
How the Disease is Transmitted
Through Trade Channels Means
of Prevention and Cure.
New System of Quarantine Recon-.
mended.

WtUut
New York Herald, Slst ult.l
WASHINGTON, January 30.-ThC
board of experts authorized by con.
gress to investigate the yellow fever
epidemic Of 1878 submitted their re.
port to the joint congressional com
mittee at its meeting this morning
After quoting the several question,
which were laid before them by tho
joint committee upon which they were
to base their inquiries the report set:
forth that a great number offacts have
been gathered respecting the history
of the late epidemic of yellow fever
which have guided the board in ar.
irving at the conclusions which are re.
specially submitted in reply to ques
tions of the congressional committees
on epidemic diseases. 1t should be
borne in mind that these conclusions
are based upon evidence of a necessa.
rily incomplete investigation of the
epidemic-incomplete because of the
urgent demand for public health leg
islation during the present session Of
congress. Otherwise the board might
not be held excusable for the seeming
haste in dealing with this great sub
ject. For, among the most difficult
questions which confront US, are those
which relate to the prevention of dis
ease and untimely death, and this
is especially true in respect t.
yellow fever and cholera, the mys-
terious and Elusive causes Of which
become associated with man in his
travels and traffic. The board is
unanimous in the opinion that the in
vestigation of the late epidemic should
be completed, and the study of the
natural history of yellow fever should
be Systematically pursued, and espec-
tally that the inquiries should en-
brace the perpetually infected ports Of
the West Indies, whose fields give the
greatest promise of practical results
as the reward Of faithful scientific in
quiry. 1t is accordingly recommended
that two or more skilled experts be
charged with the completion of the
study Of the late epidemic, which can
be concluded in a few months, and
that at least two such experts be au.
thorized to proceed to the West In
dies, there to make a more thorough
study Of yellow fever than has ever
yet been undertaken, aud that they be
accompanied by an experienced micro.
scOpist. 1t is further recommended
that the necessary steps be taken By
congress to secure the cooperation Of
the Spanish and other foreign govern
ments through an international com
nilsson or otherwise, in an earnest Ell
fort to ascertain the cause or cause.
which perpetuate yellow fever from
year to year in the West India islands
and TO devise ways to remove the caus,
or causes or TO lessen the chances o
transporting the poison to the UniteC
States or other countries.
EFFECTS OF THE DISEASE.
Yellow fever should be dealt witt
as an enemy which imperils life an,
cripples commerce and industry. r,
no other great nation Of the earth i
yellow fever so calamitous as to tn.
United States of America. In a singh
season more than one hundred thou
sand Of our people were stricken i,
their homes and twenty thousand live
sacrificed by this ~preyentable disease
Systematic scientific study should b
increasingly directed against this sub
tie enemy until our weapons are s.
perfected as to destroy or surely hol,
it in check. In the benefits accruin
from scientific research America ha
received from European nations nor
than she has bestowed, but the oppor
tunity is now offered to pay a part o
the debt by continuing to completion
so far as human skill will permit, tn
work which has been begun. In tn
light of scientific experience and q
such facts as have been obtained, tn
board has given careful considerable
TO the outlines of a system OF observa
ton of yellow fever and cholera. an.
as connected Herewith to shipping i
foreign ports to Interchange Of infor
nation, and TO the inspection an.
sanitation Of infected vessels and per
sous outside of our ports aud afte
their arrival, together with the super
vision of interstate travel and trait
in times Of epidemic within our boz
ders.
A SYSTEM OF QUARANTINE.
The object aimed at is to presen
the outlines Of a system Of quarantin
which may afford the greatest attain
able degree Of protection against tn
introduction aud spread of Infection
epidemic diseases and at the same tim
indiot only a minimum Of injury snt
Inconvenience upon commerce. Tw.
classes Of medical officers are sur
gosted-