Daily Republican., 1881-07-25
THE LAZARETTO.
Proposal to Remove the Laza.
reltO to the Break ater.
From the PhiladeIphia sunday Times.

reltO to the Break water.
From the Phila deIphia sunday Times.
The scheme for the removal of the
lazsrettO to the breakwater has again
been brought into light. General Hora.
ito e.. sickels, of Philadelphia, presi-
dent Of the Board of Health, and ST Gre
tary OF the lazarettO, In an interview
said, speaking of the proposed reno.
val, that it was an effort of the Nation
al Board of Health to obtain control of
the quarantine. They had, he explain
"a, been endeavoring for some time to
absorb the entire system over the entire
coast OF the country, representing that
1t was necessary 10 introduce unitormi-
ty. In the present case he thought the
Srate officials should resist the encroach-
n 'n'. To ts'ablish a n " quarantine
under the national board would require
however, an act of Congress. This
could not be touched, of course, until
far into the winter, but he thought it
likely bill might be introduced at the
next session. As to whether there was
need Of cnange General Sickels was
next consulted, and his answer was a
decided negative.
During the four summer months the
most thorough inspection is made by
the lazeretto physician. AS soon as
the lookout at the station describes q
vessel approaching the physician goes
to meet her in a steam tug. She slack
ems her speed, or, if sailing vessel,
heaves to for a minute while he goes
on board. Tlfen she proceeds IN her
course and he conducts his examina.
tion without causing more than min.
ute's delay, when he boards or leaves
her. In winter the port physician,
makes the examination and the vessels
wait for him just above the old navy
yard; if any infection is folnd the ship
lies in the stream or returns down the
stream until she is properly fun iga-
ted and cleansed and the patients are
taken to the Municipal Hospital.
The suggestions were next made that
germs OF disease might be waited by the
wind from the station to the city and
chat commerce might be obstructed il a
number of tainted vessels wer anchor
ed around the lazaretto. Mr.. Sickels
disposed of the first by saying it was a
dead impos>ibility. The distance of
Tinicum island from the centre of pop
ulation of Philadelphia compared favor
ably with that ofthe quarantine station
on Staten island from New York. Ihr
latter being also in the immediate neigh
bOrhood Of hundreds of summer resi-
dences. The second objection he. an.
swered by pointing out that commerce
m ~ yn1 I. Al, al g,,,,
cum, and it was reserved for sanitary
purposes. 1t would accommodate, he
said, any fleet that was likely to be de-
tained without in the least incornmo-
ding other vessels passing up and down
the river. General Sckes was strong
~ opposed to the proposition to locate
the station at the Breakwater
First, he said, it was to far from the
city then there was always danger to
vessels detained there. The anchorage
was unsatisfactory, and vessels We're liza.
BILE to be swept out to sea. Finally, the
region was most unhealthy-low swan
py, and malarial and the very worst in
which yellow fever sufferers could DOS
81 bly, be kept.
Over two years ago when the bark
Shasta, with its cargo Of logwood and
its several patients suffering from what
was believed to be yellow fever, was
put in quarantine down opposite the
Eddystone mills, Chester's excitement
was at fever heat. Even the mayor of
that city took n carriage and travelled
as fast as horse could 90 to Doctor
Robinson at the quarantine station,
upon whom he made a summary de-
mand that the vessel should be rernov-
ell. DR.. IL binson tliel to pour oil
npon the pertnrhed spirit of the mayor,
but with little effect. The removal of
the vessel shortly afterward served to
restore peace and quiet
1t is argued by the advocates OF the
Fort Delaware scheme that breatwaters
could be constructed there and that it
would pay in the end. Philadelphia S
quarantine system is commented upon
as CT impaired with that of New York,
which is regarded as infinitely superior.
The hospital ship which they have there
~ tni. "n1e Of year. when tho upper
and lower quarahiinHa are not In opera
lion, is rcga'dcu as furnishing ample
provision Tor ali cases.