The Portland daily press., 1892-09-15
PoRTLANp's QUARANTINE.
The City Government Will Back Up the
Board of Health.

After the adjournment of the Board of Alder
men yesterday morning meeting of the Board
of Mayor and Aldermen was held. to receive a
communication from the Board of Health. The
aldermen were all present, the Mayor in the
chair.
Mayor Ingraham stated that he had re-
ceived telegram from Mayor Pingree of De-
troit. Mich, stating that Mayor Pingree had
| telegraphed fifteen cities asking them to tele-
graph President Harrison and request him to
assume authority and prohibit immigration for
ninety days. Mayor Pingree wished Portland
| to be one of the fifteen cities.
| DR.. Meserve, chairman of the local Board of
| HEALTH said that in accordance with the recent
quarantine order all vessels with immigrants
| aboard must be quarantined for twenty days in
case of cholera infection, and the increased
number of days of quarantine would not
necessarily check the disease in cold weather.
He wonld like to know what cities had been
telegraphed by Mayor Pingree, whether they
were interior cities or seaports. The doctor
said it was well known to the Board of Alder
men that the Allan and Dominion lines of
steamers in about seventy days, would begin
their winter trips to this port These
steerage passengers each trip. This Board of
Health. like those of other cities, believes that
all baggage and clothing of these passengers,
should be disinfected by the application of
steaming process at a heat of 1000 Fahrenheit,
and for this reason. The danger from cholera
will be greater next spring than the coming
winter or now. When the present scare is
over, and vigilance relaxed, then the subjects
oIxa sr&;ov
class of immigrants will get away from the
cities where cholera now exists and where
| they are under surveillance, bring their baggage
with them full of the cholera germs, come over
on steamers or sailing vessels, and then the
great danger to our country will begin. Some
years ago when cholera existed in Europe but
not in epidemic from immigrants came over after
wards in just this way, and introduced cholera
into Ohio, Indiana and Dakota. Therefore
the Board of Health thinks an ounce of proven
ton is better than pound of cure, by having
all baggage thoroughly disinfected.
DR.. Meserye then gave description of House
Island which he said the International Board
of Quarantine, the state and local boards of
health, all considered just the spot for dis
injecting station. Apart of the island belongs
to the government. The board has the endorse
ment of Speaker Reed and Senator Hale, in
asking for the use of this island If we get it
we must erect wooden building about forty
feet square, steam plant and retort, and some
wharf addition. In order to bear this expense
the Board must have money, and the city must
stand by the Board, as other cities do by their
boards. 1t will require about $4,000 for the
preparation of House Island. Unless we can
get it the Board will be in sad dilemma. But
If the Board does get the island then the city
will be well prepared.
Alderman Rogers wanted to know if House
Island wasn't too near the city.
DR.. Meserve wanted to distinguish between
adisinfecting station and hospital station.
House Island would be disinfecting station
pure and simple. If cholera cases were on the
vessel quarantined the patients would have to
be taken to another island, just as at New York
and elsewhere. Cow Island would be the best
place for a hospital. But there are no buildings
there, no wharf and no intercourse possible ex-
cept by tug. The channel is too narrow for an
ocean steamer to turn in.
Alderman Stevens ask ed If Cow Island was
taken for a hospital station if buildings would
not have to be constructed there for the
patients.
DIR. Meserve said yes.
Alderman Guptill asked if this expense for
quarantine was city or state matter. Dr.
Meserve replied that in former times the
municipal officers had charge of all quarantine
By the new law the board of health takes the
place of the municipal officers. The state has
nothing to do with it. The United States has
no authority to establish such station, except
by act of Congress. The United States marine
hospital service is fully in accord with the local
board of this city, and in fact originated the
House Island plan.
Dr. Henry P. Merrill and City Clerk Russell
of the local board of health endorsed all DR..
Meserve had said.
DIR. Meserve showed that it would cost less
to establish the station on House Island than
anywhere else as there is a foundation built for
steam engine, awharf that could be extended,
and building for disinfection. He thought
So, 900 the maximum required at present by
the board at a rough guess, but that no
estimates could well be made till it was ascer-
tanned whether House Island could be OBJ
tained
The Mayor thought a committee of two
might be advisable from the board to cooper
ate with the Health board
Mr.. Jos selyn thought this good idea. He
belle we'd no proper expense should be spared
to keep cholera away and to protect our citi-
ZenS.
Dr. Meserve said the committee from the
local board, composed of DR.. Merrill and him
self would go to Washington tonight. present
thei petition endorsed by Speaker Reed and
Mr.. Hale to the Secretary Of War asking for
they would go to the President
1t was voted that the gentlemen, Drs.
Meserve and Merrill be authorized to secure
House Island for a disinfecting quarantine
station.
It was decided unnecessary to add two MEM
bers of the board to act with the Board of
Health as those gentlemen were sufficient to
take care of the whole matter
In answer to question Dr. Meserve said he
considered there was great danger to the APP
pretended later from immigrants travelling by
railway, especially from st. John, N. B. where
no precautions are being taken. He examined
couple of car loads of emgrants that passed
through Portland, Tuesday evening, and they
were in very filthy condition.
E. F. Boothby was granted a yictualler'S
license at No. 81 Preble street.
Board adjourned.
The Cholera Scare Spells the Lobster
Trade.
Would Won think that the cholera scare in