The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-05
THE CITY's QUARANTINE.
Some Things that Affect Savannah's
Interests.

Editor Morning NetVs: 1t is gratifying
to see that the property holders of this city
are at last awakening to the realization OF
the fact that by organization they may be
enabled to protect their interests, whenever
jeopardized through the ignorance or sell
fshness of those in authority.
The existing system of quarantine which
was discussed so freely at the meeting last
Thursday is one of the most important
matters to be brought under the considera-
ton of our citizens just now, while the
City Council is looking out for fit and
proper person to fill the vacancy occasioned
by the death of the lalnented Dr. McFar-
land.
The Office Of Health Officer at any port is
one of great responsibility and Importance,
for upon the judgment, knowledge and
experience of the incumbent, the CONNER
cial prosperity of the place will greatly de-
pend.
Savannah is now an illustration of this
fact. Since the yellow fever epidemic of 1876
the policy of our authorities has been to
make and enforce the most stringent regu-
lations now in existence for the detention
of vessels and obstruction of commerce
during the six months Of the year, Which
policy is due largely to the fact that our
late Health Officer was of the opinion that
it was only through the making and the
inforcing of such regulations that the pro-
lection of our citizens from imported
diseases could be secured. Hence ships
were sometimes detained as long as ninety
days.
This policy, as was to be expected, re-
suited in the complete destruction of our
summer trade wide the account books of all
of our merchants engaged in trade with
South America and the West Indies. Had
DR.. Mcfarland been believer in the mod
ern methods of ship sanitation as practiced
both in Europe and America, he would have
held the opinion that by detention a vessel
already foul becomes more so every day,
because the air of the hold remaining un
changed becomes more and more charged
with deleterious matter from putrefactlon
going on i'll the bilge, etc, just as would
occur in damp cellar if kept closed up,
and his advice to the City Council would
have been in accordance with this fact.
In Boston, New York and other ports
where the value of commerce is properly
appreciated and quarantine has therefore
been more carefully studied, it is well
understood that the proper thing is to thor
Cughly cleanse a foul ship and return her to
trade with as little loss of time as possible.
The cargo, if infected is purified and light
cred. The passengers and crew, ii sick, are
sent to hospital, or detained at the quaran-
tine station when there is danger of con-
tegion. Their effects are disinfected.
The administration of the health affairs
of the city of New Orleans, which place had
like us lost its summer commerce through
long adherence TO the same policy which
directs our quarantine laws, at last got into
the hands of a man, who besides having the
real interests of the city at heart, had a full
acquaintance with the subject of sanitation.
He went to work with energy and genius
and devised a system, perhaps the best in
world, which besides protecting the city
from the danger of imported diseases, Sc
cures the least possible interference with the
commerce Of the port. Vessels are only de-
tanned the time necessary to render them
perfectly safe, and then sent up to the
wharves. Under the system which was in
augurated in June 1885, millions of dollars
worth of trade which was drifting to North
ern ports has been saved to New Orleans.
The quarantine of New Orleans is consid-
cred of such great Importance that it is put
under the special care of the State Board of
Health of Louisiana.
In this city quarantine is under the care
of a mixed commission of Councilmen and
private citizens more or less acquainted or
unacQuainted with the conditions of the
problem, and the administration of such
laws and regulations as they may make is
under the sole care of one man, who has
besides to attend TO the police, to give burial
certificates to look after the smallpox hos
pital, attend to vital statistics, ETC., of the
city.
It would seem to me that in port of
the Importance of Savannah a quarantine
Office should be established, with a salary
sufficient to secure the services of a medical
man who has a thorough knowledge of sani-
tary sciercs in all its branches. Everything
connected with shipping should be under
his charge, and the other duties now per-
formed by the Health Officer should be as
signed to some other person.
In addition to these duties this other per-
son should exercise general supervision over
the sewerage drainage, street cleaning and
scavenger department, should examine sus-
piciOus meats and vegetables offered for
sale in the Market, and have general super
iutendence of all matters connected with
local sanitation. The quarantine officer
should devote himself to putting barriers
in the way to prevent the importation of
contagious diseases with as little impedi-
ment to commerce as possible The Health
Officer should devote his energies to render
ing any accidental Importation of conta-
gion innocuous by keeping the city clean.
With the assistance of the government
refuge station at Sapelo island, to which
any ships may be sent in case of need, there
is no reason why Savannah should be cut
off from her share Of the trade in fruit,
sugar, molassDs, coffee, hides, cigars. etc,
with the West Indies and South America.
j. G. LEHARDY.