Huntsville gazette., 1889-03-16
A Southern Question.

timore, has published paper read by
him before the Baltimore Academy Of
Medicine, December 4, 1888, in which
he suggests measures by which the
danger of yellow fever may be reduced
to a minimum. As contribution to
the literature of this dreadful destroyer.
DIR. Van Bibber's paper has the merit
OF brevity and directness. He writes
for the people, and his suggestions, be-
ing grounded upon an extensive scien-
titic experience with the scourge, are
eminently practical and wise. Perhaps
the uiost valuable hints to the more
Northern States OF those embraced in
the yellow fever district. are those in
reference to quarantine regulation.
After pointing out that the present sys-
tenn of quarantine is wholly inadequate
for the protection of cities against the
infection of the yellow fever germ, he
proceeds to define how the sanitary
conditions of an exposed city or town
can be rendered such as TO absolutely
prevent the development Of disease,
even if the germ should pass quarantine.
He does not argue against the contn-
uation OF rigid quarantine, but rather
against an absolute dependence upon
1t as precautionary measure, and in
favor OF a change of methods. Every
body who read last summers current
reports Of the vexatious and even cruel
subjections to quarantine rigorousne ss
instigated by unreasonable fear, and in
many cases by ignorance and incom-
petence to deal with matters of such
vital Importance, will understand that
a reform of quarantine methods is most
urgent. In scarcely a State south of
the Ohio is there Board of Health Or
ganized with competent powers to act
efficiently in cases of epidemic and con-
sequent panic. and in none of them is
there any humane and adequate system
of quarantine. Such thing as inter-
state quarantine regulation does not
exist, and when an emergency arises
the most extreme and often unnecessary
measures are reverted to for protection
against infection. 1t is needless to say
that these measures are generally worse
than useless, and result in much per-
sonal suffering and in extensive injury
to vital interests Of the States affected
The cruel and inhuman shotgun quar-
antine, which was made famous last
fall, is the natural result of this lack OF
system and general authority.
DR.. Van Bibber undertakes TO show
how this state of affairs may be rene
died by little legislation and the ex-
penditure of moderate amount of
money. He says of the quarantine OF
the future: I'm this yon will see four
houses situated at a proper distance
from each other. in the most accessible
point of the State, built and APP onted
in manner not only to make them
most efficient for the comfort of the
sick and afflicted citizens and strangers,
but to serve also as schools and models
to teach private citizens how they can
preserve among themselves continued
cleanliness and give no foothold to pre-
ventible disease. The humblest man in
the commonwealth cannot then plead
ignorance as to how be should and must
build his house and manage his domes-
tic affairs so as to preserve MS own
health, not injurc that of his neigh Dor,
nor impair the reputation of his State.
These four buildings should have ample
communication with each other and the
outside world by telephone and what
other appliances the future may have in
store Then no one who is quarantined
will feel himself isolated or harshly
treated The citizen from abroad and
the denlZen can alike receive and send
messages from and to all points
In these houses all actual cases are to
be treated, and those who are simply
held in custody are to have lodgment.
i HtS tlc oCoiS hco " lioFlCS iOt INC
treatment of the three most deadly
germ nal diseases, yellow fever, cholera
and smallpox. They would be under the
control Of the Stale Board Of Health,
body which would then have local
habitation as we'll as name, and full
rowers to deal with the exigencies OF
the situation as they should arise.
Some such system must he adopted,
the temporary makeshifts suggested by
the presence of immediate danger no
longer sufficing
In regard to sanitation DR.. Van Bib
bers suggestions are wise, and in this
respect the city of Louisville should
bestir herself Last summer she opened
her gates to the flying refugees when
all others were barred against them.
The generosity was praiseworthy, but the
risk was great 1t the occasion should
arise again she should be prepared
to be generous without recklessly en-
dangering the lives of her citizens. Not
only should the streets be thoroughly
cleaned. but the health authorities
should subject private houses and yards,
front and rear, to more rigid scrutiny,
and compel the thoughtless and the
careless tO q more eleanly and less dam