The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-14
WISE PRECAUTIONS.
Joint Meeting of the State and
City Boards of Health.
Preparing for the Asiatic Cholera-The Quar-
antine Station Nearly Ready-Leprosy
Reported on the Increase.

antine Station Nearly Ready-Leprosy
Reported on the Increase.
The State Board of Health met last even
ing in joint session with the members of the
City Board. Present: Drs. III. S. Orme
PresidenN, G. q. Tyrrell, c. A. RugGles, r.
Beverly Cole and DIR. j. NJ. Briceland of the
State board, and Drs. j. r. David son, L. j.
LIE Tournpux, Charles McQuesten, ii. NJ.
Fiske and Health Officer James KeeneY.
Dr. Tyrrell, the Secretary, explained that
the State bolrh had adjourned its stated
quarterly meeting from Sacramento in order
to consult with the San Francisco board on
whatever legislation it deemed necessary to
procure at the coming session OF the Legisla
ture, so as to secure united action.
Dr. Ruggles suggested that the Stat, bold
HEALTHY indorse the action Of the city board
in declaring Yokohama an infected port,
and stated thht his reason for so doing was
that a certain DR.. Rucker, WHO was pass
enger from China on the recent steamer,
had criticized the action Of the board in
San Francisco journal, and stated that it
had overstepped its jurisdiction.
The resolution was unanimously carried,
anu etNtIdl Vi luC plCoCut ouH-
porting it stated that the outbreak of cholera
in China and Japan was, according 10 most
reliable authority, carrying off four hfths of
those stricken with the malady.
DR.. Cole especially eulogized the city
board for its prompt action, and added that
even more energetic measures must be taken
or the dread epidemic will be brought into
the State.
DR.. Davidson thought there was no imme-
date fear of an epidemic here, as, so far as
he could learn, only the Asiatcs are
stricken at present and the Europeans among
them escaped entirely.
NEVER WANTED TO SEE ANOTHER.
Dr. Cole had seen over 5000 cases OF
cholera in New 7 ork and PHILADELPHIA and
never wanted to see another. He thought
that no reliance should be placed on the re-
port that whites are escaping from the cpl
demic now. 1t is only natural that the
natives, who entirely neglect hygieDlc pre-
cautions, should be first attacked and that
for awhile the more cleanly and careful
whites are able to throw off the attack, but
he did not for moment doubt that whites
will soon be numbered amnnG the victims.
DrS. FiSke and Rnggles Endorsed DIR.
Coles T, marks and hoped tliey shuuid never
see another case of the dread disease.
DR.. Fiske referred TO his experience in
San Francisco and Sacramento during the
epidemic of 1851, which held possession of
lation OF 5000 to 5000 in Sacramento 1000 died
in that lime.
Dr. Cole in speaking of his remembrancas
of that date, said that San Francisco is par
ticularly fortunate in having its cool winds,
which reduced the liability to the disease
considerably. This city then had pGpua-
ton of about 10000, out OF which the ep.
demic, while it lasted, carried off five OF six
day, while Sacramento, with fifth of the
population, lost twenty a day in the same
tod ,.Nt has
forded from the cool winds. He did not be-
lieye the climate of San Francisco a favor
able one for the production OF the cholera
germ, but once here there would be no say
ing the interior towns of the State.
DR.. LIE TOurneux asked the State fOa d to
support recommends ion he intended
forwarding to the Supervisors to the effect
that.the sewers be thoroughly flushed at the
earliest opportunity.
The board acted upon the suggestion by
passing strong resolution covering the
point.
THE NEW QUARANTINE STATION.
Dr. Cole suggested that it would be well
for both boards TO visit the new quarantine
station on Angel Island to make such
recommendations as they thought necessary
for hurrying the work.
After considerable discussion the sugges-
ton was embodied in a resolution and
passed. Sunday next was aftcrward de-
cided upon as the day for making the in
spection.
DIR. Cole informed the meeting that work
had advanced SO far that, if necessary, the
station could be made ready for emergen-
cies within forty-eight hours. Meanwhile,
the local board could detain any inf cted
ship that comes into port, and when the
station is ready for business the vessel
could be hauled up to the Angel Island
wharf and thoroughly disinfected. He had
no faith whatever in the present mode OF
fumigating baggage and freight, but gave
the local health authorities credit for doing
all in their power. They are net properly
provided with apparatus, lie said, and can
not be expected to do impossible things.
Dr. Ruggles thought it would be well to
write to Surgeon-General j. b. Hamil-
ton regarding the status of the San Diego
Quarantine Station, for which Congress had
made large appropriation. He understood
the War Department made some objection
to yielding up possession Of the necessary
land, and he believed the action he pro-
posed would strengthen the hands Of the
health authorities.
This seemed TO be the general sense of the
meeting, and the motion was changed so
that the Secretary was instructed to tele-
graph regarding the matter to the Surgeon
General, who is now in Washington.
DR.. Fiske introduced the subject of leprosy
to the attention of tie meeting and recon-
mended that some steps be taken TO induce
the Legislature to build laZaretto where all
nese, he said, 1t is possible to be rid of by
sending them back to their own country, but
the whites could not be deported Every
county in the State has leprosy in its midst,
and the disease. according to medical obser-
walton, is growing slowly but surely. There
are eight cases now in the City Pesthouse,
and the afflicted are constantly coming in
here from the country. He did not think it
fair that San Francisco should bear all the
expense Of their care and treatment.
AN APPEAL TO THE LEGISLATURE.
During discussion Of the subject in which
President Orme, Drs. Tyrrell Cole and Rug
giles participated, it was resolved to appeal
to the next Legislature to establish laZa-
TetO for the accommodation of at least
twenty-five patients, and make sufficient
appropriation for its maintenance.
DR.. Fiske suggested that the State board
Cooperate in procuring the passage of bill
authorizing the Supervisors of this city to
appoint four Market Inspectors. He COM
planned that the duty Of looking after the
markets, slaughter-houses, hog ranches,
diaries, etc, now devoved upon one In
spector, who can do very little in city Of
this size, and to those who knew the facts
he said it was appalling the amount of dis
eased meat, impure milk and adulterated
foods that are daily finding their way into
the city.
Dr. Cole thought it would be well to ap-
point joint committee OF five on Iegisla-
ton to consider all such matters and report
to an adjourned meeting fortnight hence.
His views were adopted by the meeting, and
it was SO ordered. The Chairman thereupon
named Drs. Cole, Simpson, LIE Tourneux,
Davidson and Fiske as the committee.
The appointment OF a State Veterinary
Inspector was also mooted as means
of checking the importation Of diseased
cattle into San Francisco for food pur-