The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-06-22
DR. Henr, G. ,eGrew in Explanation.

DR.. Henri G. MeGreW I'm Explanation.
To the Editor of the P. c. ADVERTISER:
SGR-In your issue Of June 10th there ap-
peared an editorial in which you censure
very severely my actions as Port Physician
in the case of the lately arrived Japanese
emigrant steamer. From the tone of the
article can easily gee that upon the spur Of
the moment, and without the full facts Of
the case before you, you have done me IN
intentional injustice, and 1 am sure that
after I have given you all the particulars,
you will make the proper corrections.
On the morning of the 18th instant tbs
Japanese steamer Yamashiro Maru was tele
phoned. 1 Immediately went down, as is
customary, to so out to her with the pilot.
After had entered the boat 1 noticed that
the pilot was evidently awaiting the arrival
| of someone else, which proved to be Mr..
Hayselden, Secretary of the Board of Health,
who got aboard and went out with as to the
| steamer. On arriving alongside Of the
| steamer 1 Immediately boarded her, followed
| directly by the Secretary. At the head of
the gangway I was met by Consul Irwin.
asked in regard to the health of the ship
and he informed me that they had measles
on board, and produced a written report,
signed by the Captain and ships doctor.
| The report was carefully prepared enc,
| showing the date of the first and last case of
measles, and those now convaIescent. MIR.
Irwin then gave me full account of the
way they had managed in disinfection and
| cleanliness.
| I then proposed keeping the vessel outside
until had made my report to Mr.. Gibson,
President of the Board of Health, but the
Secretary did not think it necessary to do
that, but advised that the vessel should be
! taken into the harbor, as had been done in
similar cases before, and there kept under
proper surveillance until report was made
to Mr.. Gibson. This course was decided
upon and the vessel brought in and
anchored off the quarantine wharf.
Before leaving the ship made a hasty
examination of two or three reported cases
| of measles, and found them to be suffering
from apparently the prsmonitary symptoms
of measles. However, knowing that more
| thorough examination would be made, in
company with one or more physicians, l
looked no further, and then, in company
with Mr.. Irwin and Mr.. Hayselden, started
on shore to report to Mr.. Gibson. Before
leaving the vessel, however, strict orders
were left with the Captain to grant no one
permission to board or leave the ship until
he had received permission from the proper
authority.
The written report of the doctor and Cap
tain was shown to the President of the
Board of Health, who Immediately ordered
the same routine carried out, as in cases of
the arrival of emigrants heretofore, to take
on one or more physicians with me and
make thorough and final examination Of
the ship. In company with Drs. Brodie
and Webb again boarded the vessel and
made a more searching examination. There
was no difference between myself and Drs.
Webb and Brodis in our diagnosis OF the
first cases seen, which did not clearly show
marked features of smallpox; but in con-
tinuing our examination we discovered two
| (2) unmistakabIe cases of variola Small
pox). This was sufficient cause to continue
the examination nofurther. The Captain was
informed of the fact, and told to hoist the
quarantine flag at once. combined re-
port in writing was made to the President
of the Board of Health, with the recon-
mendatiOn that the passengers be imme-
diately landed in quarantine, and the vessel
sent outside of the reef.
would thank you very kindly to give
this has ily written statement an insertion
in your paper. These are simply the facts
in the case, and will leave the public to
judge as they deem best and proper. 1 am,
very respectfully yours,
HENRI G.. McGREw, NJ. D.
Honolulu, June 81, 1885.