New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-19
THE DANGER OF CHOLERA.
WHAT THE HEALTH OFFICER Is DOING.
WATCHING THE PROGRESS OF THE PEsT-pEEcAU-
TIoNs on VESSELS

WATCHING THE PROGRESS OF THE PEsT-PKECAU-
TIoNs on VESSELS,
The apprehensions among sanitarians con-
corning the Introduction OF Asatc cholera into this city
chiefly relate 70 its approach In TRANSATLANTIC steamers
ana other vessels. 1t thought that If 1t gains foot
ing here at all 1t VIII be done in this way Areporeer "
THE TRIBUNE. went to Quarantine yesterday ana Sd"
Health Officer william NJ. Smith. under "hoso supoi
vision the precautions against the oonsion 70
taken He was asked II he seriously expee'e" 'no
approach OF the dread epidemic -,
b ~we can only judge from experience NO iopnou
nYno the last centuy cholera has invaded this country
ave times and time after Its Introduction Into some
mort or ports where European vessels nave peen
received Like causes usually produce like ELECTS But
against this fact the hope that is afforded tina
generally improved sanitary condition in the marine
eaupmens OF these years and in the better medical
skin and knowledge. We have much better system OF
hygiene and of cleanliness shipboard than we had IN
the previous cpl DENIES and far more wafchful
condition abroad Half the battle with cholera 80 ar as
this country concerned, is in knowing just where II
has been developing in Europe during the past 1t
can only get into America by importation from the
affected districts abroad Now II tho health oncer Oh
every American port knows all the localities where
cholera prevailed he is able to take ntegent pre-
cautions against its introduction"
"Ar4 you fortified with that Information Y
81 have kept perfect record OF its Development
during the past year, q record Of daily march from
the time it first appeared in Alden, on the Red Sea- In
1892 year after 1t made its way into Damietta ana
then rapidly crossed into Egypt and attacked
Cairo and Alexandria. From there early last June II
proceeded Toulon aud Marseie and spread through
the South of France Despite the extraordinary efforts
of the italian authorities to make perfect cordo"
saniaire frontier Of Italy and France the conta
gion suddenly developed in twelve different commuhes
in Rome and spread quickly through Central Italy. All
these steps from day TO day were carefully recorded from
information obtained from our consuls and in other
WAYS so that know every possible place whence the
cDntagion could come to Hence when any vessel
approaches this port from these localities or bearing
passengers or cargo from them, | am necessarily
apprised of 1t and am ready to meet the case"
any been taken to secure good sani-
tary condition in European vessels
aEarly in January out to all the transatlantic
lines circular appealing to them to exercise unusual
vigilance the detection and management of the disease
should develop among the passengers or crews during
voyage Hundreds of these circulars have been sent
abroad and believe, they secure the cooperation OF
the officers and surgeons Of the vessels great part of
the danger will have been avered These precautions
contain the secret OF preventing the epidemic so far as
1t is known TO medical and sanitary skill First, all
Immigrant passengers from a cholera infected port or
district Of country should be required to remain at
quarantine Of observation for eight days before embark
Ing their baggage in the meantime being subjected to
proper disinfecton Eight days sufficient time for
the incubation OF the disease its germs are on board
the ship Second all steerage passengers should be
inspected twice in each twentyfour hours by the med
zeal officer OF the ship. Third, all persons having
cbolerac symptoms should be Immediately removed TO
well-isolaed hospitals Fourth the eecta and dejecta
patient should lie received into vessels containing
bichloride of mercury, ounce TO eight gallons OF
water sulphate OF lron two pounds to one gallon OF
water; sulphate of zinc, one ounce to gallon OF
water. These solutions should be used every day in
cleaning all closets and avaores All clothing used by
the sick should be destroyed Fifth the water used for
drinking should be free from all suspicion OF pollution;
fruits vegetables should be used only when cooked
Sixth pOrt-lghs should not be closed except In very
heavy weather the passengers should be compelled to
yacate the steerage frequently and take the fresh air
upon the main desks, thus afordng opportunity for
thorough ventilation while frequent baths should be
urged upon all. Now these carefully prepared nstrc-
tions followed. In no great danger OF the
visitation"
"What system OF inspection have you adopted at Quar-
antine, doctor 2" the reporter inquired
The crews OF all vessels enter the Narrows from
any port that has been affected during the past three
wears are mustered and inspected by our medical board
ing officer. All the passengers are also insPectTS; an
baggage and cargo are carefully examined inns has
the weather Is approaching ana the oHnser
becomes alarming this system Of scr1tiny will be
what win you do in case OF the discovery OF sus-
When a vessel arrives from suspicious port or with
passengers cargo from infected districts It viii be
washed with solution of bchloide OF mercdFy aud then
dsnfected with either sgphutou' eca gas or ehore
purpose OF disnfection without dscoorng clothing and
cargo. Tie passengers and Will be submitted 10
similar process OF dsnection. If the vessel did con-
tain germ of the disease 1t ought to have manifested
itself during the voyage, for 1t is quick cOntagiOn 30
that there evidence Of its development after the
process OF inspection, cleansing and disniecton mas
been through the vessel viii be allowed 10 enter
But II the disease has appeared. what then ."
Then the will be transferred TO Lower Quar-
antine In the Lower Bay aud all the passengers and
crew removed to the quarantine of observation Hon
man Island, where they Will have to stay sufficient
time for all danger OF the incubation OF the disease
among them 10 have been passed. The sick VIII be
removed the Swinburne Island Hospital The vessel
will be discharged OF its cargo at Lower Quarantine,
where IL will he thoroughly dsinfected and ceansed
think with all this effort ought 10 De able 10 keeI
the disease out OF New-York But the danger Of its
entry does end here. II IN from port
coast line or from Canada"
What districts chiefly nnder surveillance now T.
An Italian ports all Egyptian PORTS Marseies,
Tsuon and Southern France. The most suspicious cir
cumstauce noted yet is Valencia, spain, where the
cOniagion has htcrnated There have slfeady been
forty and twenty deaths"