Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-04
QUARANTINE
To be Enforced at This Port On and After
the 18th InstaEt-Dr.
Thornton is
Waiting TO Learn From the National
Board OF Health What it Proposes
to Do About ii.

An APPEAL reporter yesterday met DR..
G. =. Thornton, president OF the Board OF
Health of the Taxing-District, and in gem
eral conversation learned that initistory
steps have been taken looking to the estab-
lishment Of the quarantine inspection service.
Said the doctor:
81 have already caused 10 be written an
official letter 10 Dr.. Smart, secretary Of the
National Board of Health at Washington,
asking that the inspection station on Presi-
dents Island be reopeued and that a system
of quarantine be inaugurated on river and
rail, but up TO this lime / have received no
reply. The delay is explained satisfactorily
TO me, however, by the dispatch | saw in
this mornings APPEAL, stating that the
Executive COMMITTEES. of the National Board
had held a meeting in Washington City,
before which it is presumed our COM
municstion wss considered / notice
by that dispatch that the COMMITTEES
has ordered the refuge station at Ship
Island, Mics, opened as soon as the necessary
details could be arranged, and that the In
spection Service in New Orleans and on the
Mississippi river was also directed TO be Or
ganized for immediate work. / suppose that
in a few days we will receive a response
from DIR. Smart scceding to our request"
us there not a qusstsSn az 10 whether the
National Board OF Health will maintain the
quarantine throughout the summer"
"There is some doubt about it. Our in-
formation is that there is not a certainty Of
the National Board maintaining it longer
than June 3D."
"WeH, in the event the National Board
does not take favorable actisn on your COM
municetion, what course will you take?"
eve Will establish quarantine on our own
hook if we don't hear from them by about
the 10Th of the present month"
"ShOuld the National Board cease opera
lions on June ID, will you continue the
service~
Certainly, by all means. Either the Stale
or the local Board will keep it up through
out the summer"
"What means have you for ascertaining
the existence OF danger At seaports south Of
Us? Are you in cooperation with any re-
liable authorities for such information?"
eve are. Individual members of the
Sanitary Council Of The Mississippi Valley
delegates from New Orleans-assure US
that prompt publication will be made Of
cases known 10 exist. And then we are as
sured of the cooperation of individual mem
bers OF tie Mississippi State Board, who give
us every assurance OF aid in all things per
tanning to proper vigilance in this regard
throughout the summer. These assurances
are given in such way as to enlist my entire
confidence that they will fulfill their prom
isss-- Furthermore, the Legislature of Mis-.
sissippi has made very liberal provision for
the State Board 10 prevent the Introduction
of yelloW-fever into that State. That board
feels it's responsibility, and possessing such
vested powers, we are encouraged to believe
that no proper efforts will be left undone TO
avoid the introduction of the disease into
any of Its Gulf or river ports"
"You feel pretty sure, then, that an efec-
tive system OF quarantine will be estab-
ishedW
1T seems TO be a settled fact. President
MADDEN and the members of the Taxing
District Council are III thorough accord on
the subject, and the entire community seems
impressed with the necessity fer an effective
quar- aniine precautionary measufe-in
fact, L never saw such prevailing uaanIm-
iIy OF sentiment ON that question. II there
is sny opposition 10 il, | have yet 10 discov-
er it."
"What is your opinion of the general san
itary condition OF this city,"
81 am very well satisied with our sani-
tsry condition. OF course our work is not
yet completed, but il is as far advanced as
could be expected in the length Of time we
have been working. We are in better sani-
tsry condition to-day than at any time be-
fore. Our organization is thorough and
effective, and compared with other cities East
or West, | think it is not only better, but
daily improving. There need be no fear
about the public health of Memphis.