National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-26
AVOIDING THE SCOURGE.
Precautions Taken by the Marine Hospital
Service Against Epidemic Diseases.
No Cholera or Yellow Fever at Home
and but Little Abroad.

Surgeon General Hamilton Of the United
States marine hospital service, yesterday gave
to REPUBLICAN reporter some information
in regard to the quarantine stations and the
united efforts, both state and national, that
will DO made during the coming season to
prevent the introduction of cholera and yell
low fever into tho United States.
Quarantine stations" said the surgeon
general, "have been established at Ship
island, in the Gulf Of Mexico; Sspollo sound,
on the coast of Georgia, and ut Fishermens
island, off Cape Charles, at the mouth Of tho
Chesapeake bay. ThereEare no epidemics ut
present in this country.
"rhe various local boards Of health along
tho Gulf of Mexico have been instructed TO
send, as q precautionary measure against the
introduction of epidemic or contagious dis
eases, any infected vessels that may arrive to
the quarantine stations which are managed
by the marine hospital service.
THE quarantine station nt Fisherman's
island Capo Charles has received during the
present year an additional temporary struc-
ture to BIO used as a hospital. The quarantine
steam tender Woodworth has been placed at
| this station. The Woodwork, named after
Gen. Woodwork, 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 tho
Il
island sho was transferred from tho quaran-
tine station at Fisherman's island, Chesapeake
bay This Is also tho local quarantine station
for Washington, Georgetown, Alexandria,
Newport News, and Fredericksburg. None
Of these places have heretofore had special
quarantine Of their own. Tho Fisherman s
island quarantine is supplemental to the
quarantine at Baltimore, Norfolk, and Rich
mond, which, as will DO seen, are very
important safeguards against the introduction
of contagious diseases through that great
waterway.
"The estimates for appropriations for the
present year, and which will probably be
authorized by congress, include, with tho
buildings at all the quarantine stations, suit
able wharf facilities and in tho case Of Cape
Charles and Sapello sound buildings of n
more permanent character, as this whole
business has heretofore rested upon the vari-
GUS appropriation acts.
"Fisherman's island is not at present owned
by tho government, but is held under lease,
and, as will DO remembered, was selected
as q quarantine station by representative
boards of health of tho cities on the
Chesapeake bay, who met July, 1883
at the Hygcia hotel, Old Point Comfort
The government is lending its assistance
as far as required, to the civil and local au.
thorities in the prevention Of the introduc
tion of cholera aud yellow fever into the
country during tho coming season. The
most perfect harmony at present exists be
tween the boards of health bordering upor
the south Atlantic end gulf seaboards ant
the treasury department for the adoption Of
measures taken in the prevention of tn,
introduction of yellow fever"
With reference to foreign countries Surgeon
General Hamilton said: "The outlook is no
alarming for contagious diseases during th
coming season. Yellow fever exists ut Rio
Havana, Colon formerly Aspinwall), Contra
America; Tehuantepec, Mexico, and there !
cholera at Calcutta, but not epidemic. Their
have, perhaps, been fewer deaths than usua
at that city"
In conclusion, the surgeon general said
1.-THE quarantine stations are better equippe
this season than ever before, and there is les
cause for apprehension in the introductio
of contagious diseases into tho country"