St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-31
YELLOW FEVER IN PANAMA.
REVELATIONS OF STARTLING CHARACTER.

REVELATIONS OF a STARTLING CHARACTER.
special Telegram TO the GLOBE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-Surgeon General
Hamilton's suggestions as to additional pre-
cautions to prevent the introduction of yell
low fever from Panama were based upon in
formation of startling character. In letter
just received from prominent authority and
dated Panama, Jan. 3, the following state
ments are made:
All information as to deaths occurring g
here is studiously concealed. You can
readily see that Il il were known abroad that
the mortality on this isthmus is so great, it
would probably check the flow of laborers,
contractors, tourists and others in this direc-
ton to the detritneut of the interests Of the
canal company, steamship lines, hotel keep
ers, merchants, and all who gather
gain from people that flock hither
While it IS impossible to obtain
official figures in regard to diseases and
deaths, certain facts can't be hidden, and oc-
casiOnally an admission is made from which
any intelligent person can form an opinion.
We know tnut persons Of our acquaintance
die daily OF yellow and perniciOus malaria
fever. / nave had friend die in nv arm 5,
actually casting black 7omit over ne, and
yet the next day | was assured by a promi-
nent resident Of Panama that there hal
never been case Of yellow fever on the
isthmus. | have unduuhted authority for say
ing that 100 persons died in the caual hos
pital here In November last. In the new
cemetery opened in this city during last
gear, there are already more than 600 graves
and over 1000 interments in six months
IN the prime. pal one of five cemeteries.
! have no doubt that 2 400 persons were
buried in Panama in 1884. The death rate
at Colon aud along the line has been very
heavy. The population Of Panama is est-
mated at q, OOO. II my estimate be correct,
our death rate is about one nintu per annum.
The director Of the Canal company is believed
10 have Il salary Of 81, 900 4 year. lie can,
therefore, afford every comfort and provide
cyerg safeguard for his family, but his ex-
pericnccs have been inexpressibly sad. At
the cud Of O-tO5cr, 1888, he came here from
Paris, bringing with him his wife and their
daughter and son, together with staff OF
engineers OF some twelve persons. Tue
people oi his staff have all died, with possibly
one exception. His daughter died Of yellow
lever on January p, 1884, and his son sue
cumbei 10 the same disease on February %
His wife died Of fever last evening at . clock
aud Mr.. Dinglrr tried to shoot himself. He
is the only one left on this isthmus Of the
party winch came here together fifteen
months ago. The number Of feyer-stricken
people who have applied at the United States
consulate here for hospital relief or for a pas
sage homcwarl would Sione be sufficient
evidence Of the iusaiubrity, but the various
other sad facts daily brought to my notice
warrant me in saying that the isthmus IS pes
tlcntaL Reports IRON Colon and other
points show similar facts. Surgeon General
Hamilton believes that the only thing TO be
done is 10 max, the facts known, and Sc
cure, If possible, better quarantine precau-
eious against Panama.