Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-25
INTERVIEW WITH DIR. HAMILTON
On the Prospect OF YeIloW-FeVer I'm
Florida.


fBv telegraph 70 the Dispatch.I
WAsBINGToN, April 2A.-An Associsied
Press reporter saw Surgcon-General John
B. Hamilton to-day aud had talk with him
concerning the case Of yellOw-iever reported
at sanford. Fla. aud the possibility OF the
spread Of The disease or a recurrence OF the
epidemic OF last year. said DR.. Hamilton:
81 learned Of the appearance OF yellow
fever a. Sanford from TWO sources yester-
day-fFom a special agent who has been ira
yersing the STATE since the subsistence Of the
plague OF 1855. and from DR.. L. =. Daniel,
president Of the State Board OF Health. This
fact shows tha. there Will he 10 attempt
made 10 conceal the presence OF the disease
az was done lat year. and such being the
ease the danger is largely reduced. The
fear and panic excited by the knowledge
that the true condition OF affairs "a being
sunpressed does much more harm, IN my
Judgment, than the fever Itself.
4" What are the probabilities or another
outbreak OF the disease this year!
81 shall not be surprised il there were
considerable number OF cases. The danger
chiefly lies 10 those towns aud cities which
escaped the plague last wear. In tue places
that were visited then there Is large pro-
portion Of acclimated residents who have
had the fever and are therefore sale. who can
remain 10 nurse and care for any who are
suck, 50 that the disease may comparatively
be easily controlled
Are you prepared 10 mansce any out
break, should it occur?"
ayes, mucn better than ever before.
Camp Perry is in such condition that It eau
he nut IN operation in twcnty-iOur hours,
But # will b. much better II we do not have
o. o. r.f rn f1plp fIil ION I
tend to create a panic in the surrounding
towns, and that is the most difficult thing for
us TO control. Already have received mes
sares OF inquiry showing an alarmed state OF
public feeling for which there is no founda-
ton. Ever since the outbreak of 1888 ended
this Office has kept a close sanitary watch
over Florida, tracing every report OF the ex-
istence of fever, aud this case at Sanford Is
the only one hsve heard Of from a reliable
source. Since the epidemic 81 last year
Florida has organized a State board Of
health by legislative enactment, providing
heavy penalties for violations OF tho rcgula-
fjons OF the board, and those regulations,
which were promulgated on the Gth 0f this
month. arc admirably adapted Tor carving out
the purposes OF The act fhe board l. made
effective by the imposition Of tax, The re-
CENTS from which are SET apart NJ lund TO
be used for health purposes Of the state
"Whe "a sanford. the seat OF the present
outbreak ?"
alt is about one hundred miles almost
directly east OF Tampa, in Central Florida.
can readily account for the presence Of the
disease there. II il only six miles from En-
terDrise. across the lakes, where the fever
RACED last year, and there wss uninterrupted
intercourse bptween the places. Alter the
fever was subducd an attempt was made al
disin!ecting The place. but il was not tho
rough by any means nothing Ike The house
Toulouse inspection and the destruction OF
infected material carried on st Jacksonville
nv Tins department But after The Govern
,ueui ceased 10 Day for the articles destroyed
the destruction ceased-the people would
not give np their property unless paid Tor
u-and ia great measure toe inspection
STONED, sanford was visited by Yellow
ftyer in 1857, when thcfe we're 100 eases
tnorr. the presence 81 which Was concealed
hv ne authorities. Thai is the thing most
10 be feared the suppression OF The iacs.
II publication can Ooly De secured The ap'
prcn>ior and terror gie allal co, aud greater
oar, ~ he dillica'ty in controlling the DIS
ease j, 0yercome.'
Dr. Hamilton iefi Washington 'Ais eve
ming Tor Jacksonville 10 couf'r with lh"
STATE Board o. Uelifh IN regard 10 measures
for prev euline toe introduction or spread oi
contagious disease.