The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-01


peared. These rules provided for rigid
medical inspection OF all railroads and
steamboats,; sanitary cleansing OF all ports
and places attacked or threatened by this
pestilence; removal Of the people from
badly infected districts to healthy locali-
ties; isolatisn of centers of contagion.
These rules were adopted throughout the
valley States, and rgidly enforced. Local
authorities were aided whenever it was
duly certified that they could not meet the
emergency. The result was most salisfac-
tory Thought the disease broke out in
many places where it had prevailed in
1878, and showed the greatest tendency TO
spread, yet it was gradually brought under
control, adjoining localities were project
| ed, while travel and traffic were but par
TALLY interrupted. The experience OF that
season was OF immense importance in the
! future efforts 10 protect the country from
! foreign pestlences. II was demonstrated,
/. That National, State and local health
authorities could usefully cooperate in
! suppressing an epidemic, and in prevent
| ing lis spread from one State into another
9. That travel and commerce need not be
seriously interfered with, provided vigil
laut sanitary inspection is maintained. 8.
That when yellow fever has gained foot
hold in a community the infected locality
should, ii possible, be vacated, and rigid
sanitary cleansing and distinction OF it,
and all the contiguous district, should be
enforced.
on THE sUBsIDENCE OF THE EPIDEMIC
the board began TO concert measures for
the prevention OF another outbreak, either
from the germs OF the former disease or
from fresh importation from abroad. The
first indication TO meet in the prevention
of recrudescence Of the germs Of
the former epidemic was believed TO
be the destruction OF those germs dur
ing the ensuing winter, and in towns local
sanitary improvements. To accomplish
these objects, the board secured the APP
proval OF local authorities to n scheme of
universal cleansing disinfection, and ven
tilation OF dwellings, clothing and bedding
throughout the valley and gulf States.
Heretofore no special care had been taken
during the winter months TO destroy the
germs Of the fever which prevailed the
previous season, and hence the recurrence
OF the epidemic. The result OF this general
cleansing was that the fever did not reap
pear at any previously infected locality.
Local sanitary improvements were under
taken at the urgent request of The board,
the most notable OF which was the entire
reconstruction of the system OF sewerage
OF Memphis. The second indication TO
meet was decided to be the complete isoa-
ton Of all infected ships from the main
land. II was believed that il vessels hav-
ing on board cases OF yellow fever were re-
quired 10 90 into a properly equipped
refuge station, on suitable island, and
were there subjected TO a thorough
overhauling, cleansing, and disiniec-
ton, the first and most important
step would be taken toward the pre-
vention Of the importation Of the germs OF
the pcsiilencc. Accordingly, the board
proceeded 10 establish
THREE INsULAR REFGag STATIONS,
viz, one at Ship Island, for the Gulf ports;
n second at SapelO Sound. for the South
Atlantic coast, and third at the mouth Of
James river, for the Middle Atlantic ports.
These exterior stations were to be under
the exclusive control OF the board, but in
no respect did they interfere with the local
guarantees. On the contrary, being fully
equipped for the proper care Of infected
vessels they were designed TO aid the local
guarantees in the performance OF duties
which the latter could not efficiently dis
charge. These exterior insular refuge sta
tons for ships conveying the germs Of for
cign postilcncc will prove one OF tho
strongest deienses which can be created
The iirst years work Of the board seemed
To have given universal satisfaction. A
! great epidemic had been met by the COM
bincd forces Of the National, State aud 10.
cal health authorities, cooperating har-
: moniously 10 accomplish the one purpose
OF controlling itsspreada and stamping II out
= Sanitary investigations had been undertak.
en-, and some had been completed which
b were recognized as ofgrcat importance, and
which could only be properly conducted
by the board acting for the general gov
eminent. The funds Of the board had
= been 80 expended rs TO receive the special
: commentator OF the Secretary OF the
Treasury aud Of the President. Congress,
at It's next session, made suitable appro.
priations 10 carry on the work OF the hoard
and added an additional sum Of 100000
TO be used only in case OF an outbreak OF
an epidemic. This was known rs the ''epi-
demic fund, being contingent appro-
prialion. The experience OF the board
during the year Of It's operations proved
that International co-opcmtion was essen
tial TO any effective methods OF preventing
the spread OF infectious and contagious
diseases from one country 10 another. In
order 10 secure such cooperation the board
proposed that Congress should take the
necessary steps 10 that end. Accordingly
joint resolution OF both Houses Was
passed and approved May IL, 1850, calling
such conference.
SKAnLY TiiiKTY NATioNALlrIs RESPONDED
TO rHE CALI,
and the conference discussed all OF tho VA.
rious phases Of the questions proposed.
Though there was considerable diversity OF
opinions, yet there was sufficient unanim.
ity on the main points ut issue 10 war.
rant the conclusion that another confer
once should be held, 10 which representa-
uyes should be sent empowered TO iormu.
late IN international agreement. Il Ia
most unfortunate that the second confer
, oEco has never been held, aud the inn.
mense advantage 10 this country OF inter.
national cooperation In preventing the
! importation Of contagious diseases, ob.
/, tanned. During the year 1880 yellow fever
Appeared only at one ortwo isolated points
on the Gulf coast and the work Of the
board was chiefly In tho direction Of or.
gnnizing the refuge stations, strengthening
aud pcriocling the local guarantees, aud
In prosecuting scientific investigations.
The epidemic fund.- was not disturbed.
AZ tho next session Of Congress there be.
gan 90 BE- Manifestations Ut hostility 10 the
board on the part Of some Of the members
Of the subcommittee on appropriations.
The funds for the continuation OF tho
board were made conditional. AMI we're
I a.. .a.U 4