The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-21
HARRIS NECK'S EPIDEMIC
THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO
STAMP IT OUT

Disease and the CondlElon u "HS
Peopls = The Governments Keller
Measures A Commissary Estao-
lished and a Hospital TO Be Erected
for the Care of the sick-rhe Long
Standing ofthe Epldemic-The Loca-
ton of the Infected District a7d the
pestitution OF the People the Chief
Difficulties to Contend With
Surgeon Whites report 70 the United
States marine hospital surgeon general OF
the smallpox epidemic at Hsrris' Neck in
McIntosh county, pI5iislsf n the MORN
ING News yesterday, pictures rather
asrious condition OF affairs in the infected
district DR.. White says, however, there
is no immediate danger Of the disease
spreading further, and the authorities have
ndopted heroic and effective measures TO
stamp it out. Il will very shortly, be says,
be under control.
DIR. White was ordered from the national
quarantine station at Sapelo to take charge
Of the epidemic Harris Neck is eighty
miles from Savannah, in the extreme north
east corner Of Mcintosh county. II is q set
Element almost entirely OF negroes. not over
fifty white people living in the infected dis
trict. tie total population of which, DR..
White estimates in his report, to be some
where between 600 and 800.
LoRILLARD's WINTER HOME.
The place has been given prominence
through Pierre Lorillard, who has q mag
nifcent winter resort there, in the fitting up
OF which he has spent considerably over
500 900. There is no one on the place now
except the superintendent and his men.
The entire infected territory is confined
within radius of five miles and Quaran-
tine guards have been stationed to prevent
the exit Of any one. The sick are cared for
in their houses at present, but a hospital is
10 be erected at once on the Neck, and all the
cases will be moved there where they can
be under the direct care of nurses. The
couatry around Harris Neck is thickly
wooded and the people are scattered over
the entire district. so that it is extremely
difficult to look after them properly.
THE GOVERNMENT PHYSICIANS.
DIR. White, who has been IN Savannah In
correspondence with the surgeon general,
ordering supplies and arranging
leaves to-day for Harris Neck,
accompanied by Acting Assistant Surgeon
Desney of the national quarantine at Sapelo
and Passed Assistant Surgeon 2. M. Car
ri1gton of Savannah. Passed Assistant
Surgeon H B. Carter, who was in charge Of
the gulf quarantine, having been ordered
to Savannah during DR.. Carrington's
absence.
DR.. White was seen yesterday by
MORNING News reporter in reference to
the statement from Atlanta that the entire
Georgia coast is threatened with an epi-
demic. He said that he has had no
correspondence with Gov. Northeu in refer
ence to the smallpox, and he is at loss to
know how the report that he had advised
the governor that such condition of affairs
as be is credited with having reported. could
have originated. The only correspondence
DR.. White has had concerning the epidemic
has been his reports TO the surgeon general
Of the marine hospital service.
THE PEOPLE DESTITUTE.
So far as the condition of the people in
the infected district is concerned, DIR. White
says there has been great restitution and
suffering among them. They are poor.
Their houses are nothing but cabins, many
OF them, he says, IN his report, old and rot
ten, and little better than no houses at all.
One or two have already been destroyed,
and number more will be destroyed TO
prevent the spread of the disease
The quarantiuing and cutting off commu-
nicatlon with the adjoining country has cut
off their means of obtaining supplies, but
the government has established commits
sary, and sufficient clothing and
food are now furnished them.
There is no need for any assistance,
DR.. White says, from the state The fed
eral government is doing all that is re-
quired, and before any assistance could be
rendered by the state, even IL it were need
ed, it would be too late to be of service, as
the marine hospital authorities hops to have
the disease under control soon. Il would
have been accomplished before now but for
the fact OF its existence so long before any
proper effort was made TO control it.
DR. BRUNNER's INVESTIGATION.
The first not fcati on the Savannah health
authorities had of the disease was little
over two weeks ago. Health Officer Brun-
ner went at once to investigate the
report with DR.. White. and found
the disease so deeply rooted and the
people in the infected territory in such
condition that prompt and vigorous meas
ures we're demanded, and the matter was
reported to the federal authorities, who,
after investigation, placed the control Of
the epidemic In the hands OF Passed Assist
ant Surgeon White. Had the Savannah
authorities been notified earlier and in time,
the disease could have been easily got un-
der control and stamped out
1t has been epidemic in the infected dis
trics for nearly 211 months. The first case
was reported Aug. 10. The isolation Of the
district and the sparselY settled condition of
the entire surrounding country are favora.
DIE. IN a deSree. 10 the control or the disease,
The only connection, except by water, is by
wagon road, the nearest railroad station
being twenty-five miles distant.
VIGOROUS MEASURES ADOPTED.
tits difficult to tell, DR.. White says, Just
how long it will take to stamp out the dis
ease, but With the measures be has adopted
its spread beyond the territory to which i
is now confined, will be prevented anC
there need be no serious alarm in Savannah
concerning it.
The Savannah health authorities are keep
ing close watch, however, and DR.. Brun
ner will be in active communication witt
the United States surgeons at Harris Nee
during the time they are there. The gov
ernor has been advised by the local au
thorities of the epidemic and the condition
OF affairs in the section where it is located
with a view to taking such measures as ma
be required at any time later on.
Acting Mayor Mills wrote the governor
upon the return OF Health Officer Bruune
and Surgeon White from the infected di:
trict, as follows:
SAVANNAH, GA, Nov. 10, 1891.
Coz. ". J. Norths,l:
The following telegram was sent this day I
Surgeon General Wymau, Washington d. c.
Health officer sent 10 investigate affairs @
Harris Neck Liberty county, Just returned an
reports as follows: Small pox spreading rapid
among negroes. Condition OF people deporabl
No medical sitsn,ioe. no food. Entire coast
danger. PleAss take charge and meet ike situl
frk.rr a aFatu