The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-29
DR., HAMILTON'S DEFENSE
he GIVES HIS AUTHORITY FOR
LAST WEEKS BULLETIN.


Who Made Personal Inspections
Given to the Public-Some of the
Most Prominent Physicians in the
State in the List.
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-Surgeon Cen
sal Hamilton has to-day officially published
tie full text of the reports on file in the
Marine Hospital Bureau, on which was
hsed his statement of last Saturday, that
.. late inspection at Micanopy, Plant City,
aud Barlow, Fla, has proved the recent
e.istence of yellow fever there, and that
sveral other points in the Southern and
Western portions of the State are
be looked upon as suspicious y
Ii an interview this afternoon with
rference to the subject, he said "In view
the characteristically violent attacks on
re by certain of the Florida newspapers, ]
lave thought best to publish the full text Of
tese reports 1t will be seen from Pc
usal of them that 1 could have made
lore positive statement and still have kept
ithin the limits of the information on file.
now learn that the report of DIR. Knight,
no was detailed by the Jacksonville Board
Heal b, states that there were two cases
fyellow fever at Plant City as late as
pril "a.
BARLOW LET OUT.
"The reports as to Barlow are not con-
rmed, but as to the other points the origi-
al information seems to have been correct.
regret extremely the circumstances that
lade it necessary to publish the original
'arning, but, under the existing law, it
,as my duty to other localities to give them
)me intimaton of the facts If the publ
alton shall stir the Florida authorities to a
roper sense of the obligation they owe
he other States of the Union by prompt
aforcement of vigorous sanitary measures.
nd the establishment of a State Board of
Iealth, the publication will result in great
-ood to them and to all. Personal abuse of
he Surgeon-General while it may be an
musing diversion to Florida newspapers,
viii neither clean up their villages, arrest
heir yellow fever, nor restore confidence
u themselves"
The reports fill about four octave pages
f f"Weekly Abstract of Sanitary Reports"
10. II.
THE FIRST REPORT.
The first is from Past Assistant Sur
con A. H. Glenman, in which, under date
Key West, Feb. 10, 1888, he says:
GENERAI-I have thought for some weeks
lat it might be proper for me to make you
ersonal report in regard to some rumorS that
ases of yellow fever are occurring upon the
lainand. The Information coming to me being
lainy from local sources, and noticing that
le report of DR.. Wylly in the weekly abstract
( Jan. 20 was rather uncertain, | have
esitated to do so, not wishing to appear as an
iarmist. 1t seems probable, however, that
elbow fever is latent in Florida, and with the
pproach of warm weather, danger may be ap-
rehended from its spread northward Gases Of
have Cor
ord, and Lady died few days ago at Tampa
18th acute Bright's disease" while her rela-
YES here assert positively that it was yellow
ever.
TROUBLE PREDICTED.
A private letter from DR.. Caldwell states
hat there will be trouble "when the flowers
bloom in the spring." so that, taking it all
ogether, there seems to be some ground for
apprehension. The weather has not been
sufficiently cold to kill out the disease.
While some Of the local physicians either do
rot know or do not care TO recognize yellow
ever when they see it, which adds to the
LANCER of its vivifcation. Possibly
! quiet inspection from Palatka to
Aanatee, in a month or so, by competent
nan, would serve to give you the exact
'ondition of affairs in this section before
he opening of the regular quarantine sea-
son, but | wish to report current opinion in
this quarter, rather than to make any
recommendations.
PLANT CITY DECLARED INFECTED.
On March Is Surgeon r. D. Murray, who
had been detailed by orders of Feb. 10 to
make an inspection, wrote from Plant City
as folio Cws:
GENERAL-There is yellow fever at this place,
and evidently at other. places in the State, of
winch due report will he made. SuppresSve
measures are being inst uted here. The death
rate is low, and the cases generally recover in
snort Jme. Iheigreatest desire is held by the
health Authorities to not have publicity given to
tne facts In the case. although rumors are
spreading rapidly. No panic exists, and
the only anxiety is in relation
70 the news reaching the general public.
IL is hoped that the press of Florida will not
make prominent notice Of the state of affairs
Doctors J. P. Wall, King Wylly, F. II. Caldwell,
j. \. Porter, and others, advise that no public
notice be given until a chance is given for COM
plete checking of the fever here, where it is
most prevalent. In their view Join for many
reasons, and trust that your office will consider
this confidential.
FEVER AT JACKSONVILLE.
Four days later Surgeon Murray made
DIS detailed report from Key West. Fol-
loving are its most important passages:
At Jacksonville continued fever affecting the
highest circles Of society only, has been pre-
Naient Tor over two months, result ng in from
per cent. to per cent. of deaths which present
tne general characteristics of fever This name
Is given by DR.. r. +. Daniel. who has treated
most OF the cases, and is cOncur-ed in by
III Its j. z. Kenworthy, j. D. Fernandez and A.
W Knight. / fancy that DR.. n. Mitchell con
slders some of the cases more seriously, and
KNOW that DR.. j. &. L'Enge mot practitioner)
nolds the idea that yellow fever wave is over
spreading the city. Similar cases had lately
occurred IN st. Augustine and Mandarin. In
ePite OF local prejudices and lew unproven
cnarges, which are suspicion, think the fever
az az Jacksonville is enterlc. but few doctors in
0outn Florida will join in my opinion.
PALATKA ON THE LIST.
Dr. j. G.. Ames claimed that Palatka had
cases OF yellow fever in the autumn, but was
now iree from all suspicion or risk of infection.
, Drs Caldwell and Wyly, Mt Sanford insist
Eases ,.a IN the autum, with six deaths, and that
niid cases are still occurring as late as my visit
:, une 9TH and 7th-and later. one on the 18th
1t IT herndon bitterly condemns the views Of
Drs Wylly and Caldwell, while DR., Montgomery
un"llngly assents TO IL.
!. Apopka and the thickly settled region around
cent fever. H'''
country.
. lakeland, the junction of the South Florida
. auH iorida Southern railroads, is PROSTATE in
!, a. business point of view from the presence OF
cases during last fall but it was i'm
49, f1oosIo,e Tor me to get any clue TO recent cases
I5sn II5Uln Doctors Perry, Dcrio, Marshall, Hart.
/ FFeSton and Vineyard.
PLANT CITY's INSPECTION.
d az at Plant City, the junction Of the Florida
s.ii"dy and Navigation Company with the
,Pou.n Florida railroad, twenty-five miles east of
i,o pa, cases have occurred since oct. ., say
- - cdSes and deaths; the last death the ninth)
Vu March 1. and the Last ,.aSe eiclfaued tha