The New York herald., 1879-08-03


days voyage from st. Jago Cuba On the 13th inst.
w. Mcleod died of yellow fever on the 10th Harry
De Costa died Of the same disease and on the 2Gth
w. Matthiessen.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES BEING ADOPTED BY
THE QUARANTINE COMMISSIONERS INTERVIEW
WITH GENERAL MQUADE- HE HAS NO AP-
PREHENsIoNs OF AN EPIDEMIC IN NEW YORK.
Energetic measures. looking to the preservation
of the public health at this port being adopted
by the Quarantine Commissioners. Meeting Cen
eral McQuade, the president of the Commission. at
his office yesterday. HERALD reporter entered into
conversation with him for few minutes on the
subject of quarantine and especially regards pre-
cautions against yellow fever. In answer to ques-
ton as the object OF the Commissioners visit to
Swnburne Island on Friday. General ~IcQuade
said-"We generally go down to the ISL
ands every day. or nearly every day.
Yesterday Commissioner Oakley and visited Swim
burne Island and Hoffman Isand-both of which
are in tho lower bay--as we making arrange
ments to secure plentiful supply of water the
latter island in should need it. l ought to
say here that the two large buildings Hoffman
Island were intended as temporary place Of deten-
ton for well passengers from infected ships. the
sick being sent to Swinburnc Island, where the
hospitals are. But Hoffman Island has never been
used for the purpose for which it was intended,
owing to the circumstance that there has never
been an epidemic here since the island was
structed. Indeed we do not expect to use 1t now.
but want to ttpsepared. and in view of the prob
ability that s-s.ss~ye many refugees here from
the south We think that as precautionary measure
we might have utilize those buildings designed
passengers in good health arriving at the port"
ACCOMMODATIONS.
'How many persons can be accommodated there 90
mot less than eight hundred. We have
plumb at work now laying pipes all through the
buildings, so that may have abunda of
water for closets and bathrooms Ill case of neces-
.'where do you obtain the supply of water?"
'The large roof surface of the buildings supplies
immense tanks. capable OF holding. perhaps. $4,000
gallons. and il necessary We could convey water To
the island by our steamboat, the Hopkins. We have
also condenser to use. IL required l think how
ever that we will have all the water we want ON
the roofs. In fact AZ have already
timated. it is hardly likely, that we will use
the buildings at all. but in order quiet the public
mind We consider it our duty to have everything
complete readiness in case of necessity. The rule.
published i'll the HERALD to-day. prohibiting people
from visiting Quarantine without the permission OF
the Commissioners, will be strictly enforced. To
that end we have appointed Inspectors of Quaran-
tine, and have had them enrolled deputy sheriffs
OF New York and of Kings county. 80 that they may
be able TO act summary in cases of emergency. /
would like to say here III regard to the comments
Gently made to the effect that should have bet
ter rules. that the rules sufficiently strn-
gent and effective IL properly obeyed and we
termined that they shall be obeyed. Or course We
do not want 20 embarrass commerce unnecessarily
but in of the bable increase OF yellow
we consider 1t matter OF duty to all rules
very strictly. You see the Health Officer has police
force of his own. but there have been
plants made that they have not enforced the Quar-
antine regulations rs strictly they ought to
DONE"
WHAT INSPECTORS WILL DO.
Z "What are the duties Of your inspectors?"
ITO examine vessels and that they have q
proper permit to leave Quarantine and generally to
see that the quarantine rules and regulations
carried out"
'How the yellow fever progressing ut
Lower QuarantineY'
I'VE buried couple OF men to-day from SWIM
burne Island who died OF yellow tever. aud have
~s eases sners s, Which Were taken to the
n. Chapman, second mate. and Neil &. Damsted
sailor both belonging the brig Salisbury, OF ST.
Johns, n. b.. from Havana"
''It appears that, notwithstanding all the precau-
tons strangers are occasionally found in New York
and brooklyn suffering from yellow fever.
"rhe Health Oicer ~ responsible in most of those
cases. aud 1t Is likely that he is deceived in
them but It is his duty to keep such cases out of
the cities"
"what security have the people of New York
against persons entering the city by rail from
fectcd distrctsy'
mo security whatever. Tho quarantine laws as
established for the protection OF the public health
apply only to vessels their crews passengers equip
age. caryoes and other property board OF them
arriving here from other ts We take the ground
that nc contagious disease can come into New York
by water from other ports but that, OF does
not give control over the railroads running direct
to tile city. But every thing coming by the Erie,
the Pennsylvana or other roads terminating at Jer
sey City Hoboken we can control. because neces-
sarily the passengers and goods must be nyeyed
by water to New York"
tl.a RELATIONS Win THE HEALTH OFFICERS.
:. Your Board. ] presume acts IN harmony with
the Health Offcery
II cannot say that we always do. We are entirely
harmonious III desire to prevent contagious dis
from entering New York; but this Board mas
han, tbe Haatl 4,