The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-08
THE HEALTH CONFERENCE
AN IMPORTANT PAPER READ BY DR.
DANIEL M. BURGESS,
United States Sanitary Inspector at
Havana, Cuba-He Urges More Salts
factory Seaport guarantees. Which
Meets With Approval.
Special Dispatch to The Appeal.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, March THE last
and most important session OF the quaran-
une conference was held today. DR.. Dan
iel Nj. Burgess, OF the United States marine
hospital service, inspecting physician at
Havana, read an ably prepared and very
interesting paper on the subject Of "The
Sanitary Inspection Service at Havana,
Cuba" In his paper Dr. Burgess spoke
with 1peat earnestness OF the careless
manner in which health certificates are is
sued to ships and sailors coming to United
States ports. lie mentioned one case
where ship had been given clean health
certificate and on investigation proved that
there were several cases OF yellow fever on
board before the vessel got out Of port. lie
also spoke of the promiscuous smuggling
OF merchandise from the Island into the
United States.
DIR. Wilkinson, of New Orleans, spoke
OF the unreiability of health certificates
presented at our ports, even when they
are furnished by United States consuls at
foreign ports. Everything said by Dr.
Burgess met with his approval, and he felt
sure that many a case OF yellow fever had
been kept out OF tho United States 10y the
active energy OF DIR. Burgess in the dis.
charge OF his duties at Havana lie thought
the conference ought to adopt some meas
ures to secure, II possible, more thorough
safeguards against the Introduction OF in
fictitious diseases from foreign ports. He
thought greater care should be exercised
as to the admission OF passengers and bag
gage from foreign ports. lie introduced
the following resolution, which was
adopted:
BE it further resolved, That the Secre-
| tary OF the Treasury of the United States
is hereby requested to increase the patrol
service on the coast OF Florida to such an
extent rs may be necessary to prevent
smuggling.
Surgeon-General Hamilton spoke OF the
cost of sending cablegrams to foreign
countries rs one OF the difficulties 10 be
met in the effort TO keep out yellow
fever. Another difficulty was that the
/ United States Consuls were dependent
upon the boards OF health and authorities
OF the foreign ports for their information
US 10 the health of those communities.
The consus had TO take such information
ms the local health authorities would fur
nish, or be- denied information altogether.
lie thought the Governments houd
appoint and send a physician TO
every consulate in ports where
epidcm'cs and contagious diseases are
liable 10 break out In order that the Con-
sui may be furnished with reliable in
formation rs 10 existence or absence %
disease. lie thought resolution from
the conference on this line might have
some weight IN influencing Congress TO
make an appropriation 10 place physicians
al these foreign ports TO represent the
United States.
He offered the following resolution.
which was adopted:
Resolved, That this conference is the
opinion that 1t is a duty deyolving upon
all nations 20 take measures to eradicate
any pague-center from its territory, and
that the existence OF such plagus.crnter Is
q menace to all other nations, and that our
/ State Department be requested to notify
/ other governments OF this action"
DIR. Foster, OF Georgia, offered the FOL.
lowing resolution: BE- II
Resolved, That the United States GOV.
eminent is hereby requested, il consistent
/ with the international aud constitutional
y" 'NN'A ANAH NlttAklA7 " AAll tTIflIllr
with n view Of investing United States
sanitary inspectors az Spanish ports with
such Jurisdiction rs may be necessary for
the enforcement Of such rules and require.
ments ~ arc provided.
Adopted.
In answer TO the question. "when
should yellow fever refugees return Ia
their homesY the conference adopted
the following N) After the occurrence
OF ice; (2) after the occurrence Of three
killing frosts; ~ after the occurrence OF
no case Of fever for the period OF two
weeks, and Of the thorough disiniection
and ventilation Of all localities infected
aud bedding aud such other articles rs arc
capable OF carving fever germs.
Tho president appointed the following
/ committee under Col. j. &. Clark's 80.
luton, adopted Wednesday night, 10 pre-
pare and promulgaio rules aud regulations
TO govern quaFantincE j. c. Clark, Mo,
| bile, Ala; ]. h. Baird. Atlanta, ia; J. A.
Porter, Key West, Fla: Il. :. Stark.
weather, Illinois; William Bailey, Louis.
vile. KY; II. Is. llornbcck, Charleston,
5. c.; J. T.. Black, Memphis, Tenn;
Robert Rutherford, Houston, Tex; Il. r.
| GRAY, Winton, y. c.; q. K. Early, Go.