The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-27
The Spectre of Pestilcnce.

The spectre OF recurrence
IL IL Of the very highest Importance that
whatever IL is possible and legal to do for
The prevention of a new yellow fever cpl
demic this summer should be done at once
and thoroughly. We are rapidly approach
ing the season when the germs Of the disease
will begin to fructify. and New Orleans has
kept itself during the winter and spring In
lust the condition TO warm them into life at
the 1T time, and so to multiply them that
there will be enough TO spread the pestilenoe
over the whole land.
Yellow fever made its appearance early In
che month on the bark Springstein, bound
for Baltimore from Rio Janeiro, and the
second mate died OF the disease, while all
the crew were taken down with 1t. The
season has not been a healthy one in Brazil
or anywhere throughout South America;
and in the West Indies yellow fever Is as
certain to return each year as the hot
weather to come. We shall need the most
vigilant quarantine at all our ports visited
by vessels from the tropics TO insure the
safety OF the people, and every city must at
once take measures to cleanse its streets and
otherwise improve it's sanitary condition.
For two years there has been throughout
the world an exceptional prevalency of
plaques and iamines, and the period OF their
frequency does not seem to have passed.
Five years ago DR.. JOHN c. PETERS OF this
city, who has made a speciality Of the study
OF the history Of epidemcs, particularly OF
cholera epidemics, predicted that "in 1879
we may expect an outbreak OF the disease
such as there was in 1881 SO, 1sl7-l9, 1929 81,
1871 43, 1853 IS, and 1865 GLIB" Such fore
cast, even though 1t be made by so compe-
tent an authority as DIR. PETERS, may rea-
sonably be received with some distrust; but
The pcriodlcity Of these pestilences is a we'll
established fact and certainly the present
tendency seems to be toward the spread Of
epidemic diseases.
During last year perhaps 100000 peo-
pie starved to death in China; the plague
appeared in Russia; the yellow fever devas-
tated the Mississippi Valley OF the United
States; and frighttul epidemic Of small
pox broke out in the province OF Ceara, in
Brazil. 1t is reported. though such figures
cannot be relied upon, that OF the 100000
inhabitants Of Ceara only 100000 are now
left; and those remaining are still prey TO
one Of the most virulent smallpox pesti-
lences on record. The seeds OF maladies
which easily may be spread through great
communities are, therefore, now abroad
and every State and every city, especially
those on the seaboard, will need TO exercise
the strctest vigilance against them.
National Boards of Health. of which we
near SO much at Washington. can give US
little relief They are more likely TO be
talking than acting bodies, and may serve
TO muddle matters by increasing the COM
plexty of the quarantine and health ma
chinery OF the States, and by interfering
with its work. The States and cities must
do the work for themselves. 1t is a bad
habit TO get into, that OF relying on Wash
lngton for help in emergencies with which
the States should be able 10 deal without
crying out for parental assistance from a
central Government.
o. $3.50. $1,000.
OF the germs OF yellow fever is that OF freez-
ing them out on shipboard, and the bill au-
thorizing the construction OF GAMGEEs re-
frRerator ship TO test the theory, which
has many advocates, especially in the navy
may have much TO recommend it. But the
amendment with which Ancient Mariner
THOMSON asks Congress 10 load it, should
be at once rejected. He wishes his NaVa
Constructor and Chief Engineer 10 have the
supervision of the building OF the expert
mental ship. Worse men for the duty could
not be selected, and there is no earthly rea'
son why the navy should in any way inter
fere in the matter, which does not concern
that service. Our naval constructions are
the most expensive Of the sort in the world
and the history OF our Government ship
building since the war has been disgraceiu
10 the country, which has spent millions OF
marine abortions. As to our naval engineer
Ing it has been a byword, and our ships
loaded with steam machinery, can scarcel!
make a voyage, not to say a cruise, withou
some part Of 1t breaking down. The worl
OF construction under direction OF the Nav!
Department also moves at a snall's pace, rec
tape and official bumptousness interfering
with the execution Of even good plans.
II, therefore, we are TO have a ship TO ties
she theory OF refrigeration as a preventive
for yellow fever, let the Ancient Mariner:
thinkers stand aside