The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-28
SANITARY PRECAUTIONS.
Measures Taken by the Government to Pre-
vent the Introduction of Cholera.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Measures Taken by the Government to Pre-
vent the Introduction of Cholera.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, April 27--The Treasury and
State Departments have joined hands for the
purpose of preventing the introduction of cholera
into the United States during the coming sum
mer Consuls at all points in Europe, Asia and
Africa, likely TO be visited by the plague, have
been instructed to notify the department Of tho
first signs of an outbreak. The appearance OF
cholera at any place where the United States
has a representative will thus be known here al
most as soon as the first case appears. The
State Department viii thus officially notify the
Treasury and the surgeons of the Marine Hos
pital service, and. the cutters of the revenus
marine will at once look out for vessels from in
fected ports. Last summer a circular letter was
addressed to all commanders of revenue marine
cutters directing them to exercise especial vgi
lance in speaking all vessels arriving from for
ports, directing your inquiries first
as to the port from which the vessel
sailed, and secondly, as to the health of those
on board at the time Of departure, during the
passage and at the time of hailing; and should
the information gained indicate condition or
contagon or infection il the vessel or crew. or
that the vessel has left port at which conta-
gious or infectious diseases are prevailing, her
master will be directed to proceed for examina-
ton to the outer quarantine station provided for
her port Of destination"
Ascircular embodying the salient features of
that issued last summer will be again prepared,
and officers Of the service will be called upon to
exercise greater vigilance than ever before.
The cutters of the service will be stationed al
follows: The Woodbury. will cruise the coast OF
Maine from the mouth of the St Croix river to
the mouth of the Kennebec; the Dallas from
Rockland, Me-, to Portsmouth, N H.; the Gal
latin from Portsmouth to Edgartown, Mass;
the Grant from Long Island sound to the
mouth of the Delaware; the Hamilton
from Great Egg Harbor, N. j., to Pamlico
sound; the Ewing will take care of Chesapeake
bay; the Colfax, McCulloch and Boutwell, will
watch the Carolinas and Georgia; the Dix, Craw
ford, Seward and McLane will watch the Gulf
coast and the Rush. Wolcott and Corwin the Pacif-
ic ports. The Manhattan will cruise in Lake On
tario, the Perry in Erie, the Fessenden in Huron
and Superior, and the johnson in Lake Mich.
gan. The only coast-line not guarded by one OF
these cutters is the east coast of Florida, where
there are no harbors, and where the life-saving
service will do coast guard duty.
Besides the regular vessels, others will be
pressed into service, for inland and harbor
service, whenever necessary. 1t is believed by
the authorities that the precautions taken will
be ample to prevent the landing Of any craft
from infected ports.
Doctor Hamilton Surgeon general of the Ma
rine hospital Service. says that he does not think
cholera will gain foothold in this country dur
ing the coming summer. The authorities will
leave nothing undone in the way of quarantine
or coast guard service, and the local boards OF
health along the coast, and wherever there ia q
chance for an introduction Of contagion, have
everywhere signifed their willingness to CO.
operate heartily with the national quarantine
officers The fact that the cholera scare began a
year ago has given ample time for preparations
against its introduction. If the municipal
authorities in every city ard town will look after
the sanitary conditions Of their respective
charges the danger from contagion will be
greatly diminished, and the press is urged to
sound the warning.