The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-18

Us,[(Zz//- ~I>E/ erS Oh q brigade
W/ @#/ when scout
n,-s vnsor brings word Of the
~ sudden approach
Of an enemy. Since midsummer DIR. Ed
son has been engaged in preparations for
Il Aeftie and il is in such preparation as
we'll as in the actual work of fighting an
enemy that might unless overcome be
more dangerous than an armed host that
Dr.. Edison is ut his best. New York being
the principal port of entry. and more
liable, perhaps, than any other port to re-
ceiye germ-infected immigrants or freight
than any other port excepting those which
are nearest the yellow fever countries,
the preparation for and the fighting
against epidemic diseases in that city is
not only of local Importance. but of
consequence to the entire country since
from New York disease germs may pe
carried everywhere. For that reason, per-
haps, DIR. Edison has gained more promi-
hence as an epidemic fighter than others
who may have equal knowledge or skill.
Yet Edison owes his prominence fully as
much TO the enthusiasm with which he
H-sndertakes such work and the vigilance
\ with which he prosecutes it when it be-
comes necessary. Since he has had charge
N of that bureau which deals with epidemic
diseases, DIR. Edison has fought against the
approach of cholera twice with perfect
success, has suppressed two or three out
breaks OF smallpox and stamped out what
threatened to be the most dangerous
epidemic that has obtained a foothold in
New York city in many years. that of the
deadly typhus or spotted fever.
When the first reports of the march of
cholera into European cities reached New
York city, DIR. Edison was instantly on the
alert. He is not secretive man. He be-
lieves that concealment is far worse evil
when epidemics are present or are threat
tned than publicity. SO that he informed
the health authorities of New York that
4 he was convinced that cholera would ulti-
matey be reported as having reached the
d American shores. probably first discovered
q ~ quarantine in the New York bay. The
= news stirred him as the hint of coming
Ate fires the true soldier. His bureau
81 vas put in perfect order. His inspectors
y we're increased. They were sent into every
district in the city where people swarmed
In tenements or where filthy conditions
Aprevailed. Their powers were almost as
Nereat as those conferred upon a provost
marshal. and when at last cholera was re-
z4rorted, as DR.. Edison predicted, in New
York bay, he had gained the first and per-
f1haps most important advantage. He had
sAput the city In readiness so that if a case
slappeared within its limits it could be con-
lirolled. Since that time DR.. Edison vigil
Ilantly waited. His inspectors could do no
more than visit every house where sus-
fpicion of intestinal disease rested, and
fun e. 81
lin New York bay with cholera infected
4fatients. the inspectors were able to re-
port not a case in the city.
This is fighting cholera as science has
Taught that il should be fought. But that
iis only half the battle, perhaps. A case
Knight be discovered and the machinery of
the health department was SO perfect that
was believed that within an hour after
such report the patient would be In the
cholera hospital, the house disinfected
aud quarantined and the inspectors watch
ing like detectives for an appearance else
Where. Ii in spite OF these precautions
the disease should show a tendency TO be
more powerful than the physicians. DIR.
Elson would be found as surely leading
his corps into the thick of danger as Gus
Ter used 10 lead his cavalry corps into
battle
The writer asked DIR. Edison il he had no
anxiety lest he himself should receive the
infection, and his reply perhaps suggests
one OF the secrets of his success as an cpl
4demic fighter.
He said that in an infectious disease case
Vie greatest danger tn healthy man was
that which was caused by timldity. Anx-
nv seemed 10 put the system into such
Nenhdition as To make il far more suscepti-
De 10 such disease than would he the case
we're there no such mental conditions.
Wth cholera the danger was compare
4uveiy slight, provided physician was
Neareiul of his food and took pains not TO
9ssrry away the cholera germs with him.
!he danger III typhus MAS far greater since
mat l. a contagious disease, the germs
s3eoing through the air. Yet last winter
enen tyrhus broke out in several places
w New York and at one time II was nip
snd tuck whether the epidemic would not
ceeome the master IN the tenement dis
8Wct, Dr. Edison visited he said every case
WRported. and without the slightest per-
sonai anxiety. To that state of mind and
3to tae ordinary medical precautions taken
8o destroy any III the deadly germs which
might have found Judgment in his cloth
ling he attributed his immunity from at.
4laek.
Dr. Edison illustrated this condition by
eahs t~o cases which came under his ex-
pefience. He was about 10 start out one
y1osnins TO visit several tenemenis IN
sach the disease had appeared IN Its most
vraient form In his office he found
sAaae him two young men who asked
we privilege of accompanying hun. They
se'e not physicians. They had never
eeh brought into contact with any other
2sp!oeinic disease than scarlet fever or the
HI1tas complaints of childhood. They
ee reporters anxious TO make personal
appropriation So that they might furnish
70 the newspapers for which they wrote
sueh accurate description Of the disease IS
ensy an eyewitness could furnish.
at Edison looked steadily AZ these two
zen Tor several moments. They thought
&c vas amazed mat they should ask this
iHs VI him. whereas he WAS only striv-
s uy THIS penetrating glance 10 discover
n e temperament Of each Of these men.
80 SAID Sc last 10 one of them, the older
Il would not advise YOU 10 go.
ae uisease Is very contagious and very
9sf' iou are a man Of excitahie tenn
8shent. lou are dreading this trip.
.sa are IN mortal dread. and il is only
sSaf Wi and your sense OF duty az re-
That urges you to ii. That will
80 go soa more susceptible than you other.
hot 10 ga ="
aas repoT;er persisted, and even as ne
fAaed TIA. he might accompany DE-.