The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-31
HEALTH AVD QUARANTINE.
Some Sugg astions for the Legislature
of Florida.

OF Florida.
PUNrA GoRDA, FLA, Jan. 27.-Editor
Morning Ne,cS: Now that the legislature
of this ate has been called in extra session
to consider state quarantine bill, 1t might
be we'll for us to examine into our needs.
For one, l believe in Dr. Hollis system as
practiced at New Orleans. There every
boat from a suspected port is detained at
the station at least three DAYS during quar-
an inc season. The vessel is Immediately
cleaned. She is washed with germlc1dal
agents, which are forced throughout her by
the use of machinery. This is done imme-
diately upon her arrival at quarantine.
The old method Of keeping vessel quar-
antined in her own filthiness maybe until
she terminates sease within herself, is
changed. DR.. Holt claims: However
common the reputed cases of prolonged in
cubatiOn in every instance OF clearly ascer-
tanned moment of exposure, and in the ex-
perimental tests declared TO be true, the pc
Rod Of incubation has been Enthusiastically
short-usually within fortv-eight hours,
never beyond three days" If this be true,
three days is certainly long enough to de-
tain a vessel after publication, in
order to await the outbreak Of any
disease already incubating in those on
board. Such machinery put in every little
port in florida would be indeed expensive.
at Key West. and require every
vessel from ary infected ports, bet" cen
May 10 and Nov. l, b und for any Florida
port to stop at Key Yves Let her be there
subjected to the eatment as practiced at
New Orleans, and after killing the germs,
detain her three days and then send her
al ,ng rejoicing. Some, learn, insist on a
closed port during this sea, son, by passing
non-iptercourse act-such would be an
unnecessary hardship. Should Key West
object to teing u.ed as quarantine staff m,
then u Dry Tortugas. In this way this
local quarantine, which is synonymous
wi il efficiency would be abolished.
| am opposed to docto being on a board
of health. A board of health deals with
subjects of an imminently practical kind
They can clog the wheels of commerce.
Business prosperity is depending upon the
capacity of the members of the board to
grapple with the 81 uation. Doctors who
are sufficiently prominent to become NOM
bers of such board have generally confined
thems Ives to their profession. Business
interests have not agitated their brain. |
contend they should not be on such board
Whenever physician is needed to diagnose
a case, let the board employ one.
The efficiency of the county boards is
diminished on account of lack of remunera-
tioa for services rendered. This sort Of
economy will not do Men must be paid
for services. The pre- 'ent law governing
county boards requires that at least two
physicians shall be on the board. None of
them can receive compensation for services
rendered as port physician, or in any othe
capacity, as long as they are members This
denies co npe sa ion to physicians who are
entitled to pay for their services.
l know Of no greater m sfortune that
coul befall the state than to require the
present county boards of health to work I'M
- e -
ness, prosperity, wealth, travel and com
me &C of the STATE placed in the hands of
physicians who know nothing of these
things ALLEN w. GILCHRIsT.