The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-28
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
40 Cholera or Yellow Fever at Home, and
but Little Abroad.


but Little Abroad.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-Surgeon- general
Hamilton, of the United States marine hospital
service, gives some information in regard to the
quarantine stations and the united efforts. both
State and national, that will be made during the
coming season to prevent the introduction of
cholera and yellow fever into the United States
Quarantine stations SAID the Surgeon gener-
al. "have been established at Ship island, in the
Gulf Of Mexico Sapello sound, on the coast of
Georgia, and at Fishermen's island, off Cape
Charles, at the mouth of the Chesapeake bay
There are no epidemics at present in this coun-
Try.
'"The various local boards of health along the
Gulf of Mexico have been instructed to send, as
precautionary measure against the introduc-
sion of epidemic or contagious diseases any
infected vessel that may arrive to the quarantine
stations which are managed by the marine hos
pital service,
1.-THE quarantine station at Fisherman's
island, Cape Charles has received during the
present year an additional temporary structure
to he used as q hospital. The quarantine steam
tender Woodwork, named after General Wood
worth who died in this city in March, 1879 was
built in New York. She was formerly stationed
at quarantine at Bedloe's island but when the
station was changed from Bedloe's to Staten
island she was transferred from the quarantine
station at Fishernan's island, Chesapeake bay.
This is also the local quarantine station for
Washington Georgetown, Alexandria. Newport
News and fredericksburg None of these
places have heretofore had special quarantine
of their own. The Fishermans island quaran-
tine is supplemental to the quarantine at Balti-
more. Norfolk and Richmond which. as will be
seen, are very important safeguards against the
introduction of contagious diseases through
that great waterway.
''Ihe estimates for appropriations for the
present year, and which will probably be author
lied by Congress, include, with the buildings at
all the quarantine stations, suitable wharf facili
ties. and in the case of Cape Charles and Sapello
sound buildings Of a more permanent character,
as this whole business has heretofore rested upon
the various appropriation acts.
"Fisherman's island is not at present owned
" the government, but is held under lease and,
* will be remembered. was selected as quaran-
inc station by representative boards of health of
he cities on the Chesa peake bay. who met july
1888 at the Hygeia Hotel Old Point Comfort
The government is lending its assistance as far
as required to the civil and local authorities in
the prevention of the introduction of cholera
and yellow fever into the country
during tho coming season The
most perfect harmony at present exists between
the boards of health bordering upon the south
Atlantic and gulf seaboards and the Treasury De
partment for the adoption of measures taken in
the prevention of the introduction of yellow
fever"
With reference to foreign countries, Surgeon
general Hamilton said: ''The outlook is not
alarming for contagious diseases during the
coming season. Yellow fever exists at Rio.
Havana, Colon formerly Aspinwalll, Central
America; Tehuantepec Mexico, and there is
cholera at Calcutta, but not epidemic. There
have, perhaps been fewer deaths than usual at
chat city"
In conclusion. the Surgeon general said: THE
quarantine stations are better equipped this
season than ever before and there is less cause
for apprehension in the introduction of contag-
ious diseases into the county"