Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-12-15
National Control of Quarantine.

One of the timely and sensible sugges-
tons of President Harrison's message is
that quarantine against. cholera should
be uniform at all our seS ports and that
to this end congress Should confer au-
thority Oh the agents. Of the Federal
government to assume full control. 1t
will be a surprising piece of good luck if
We escape q visitation Of cholera next
year. 1t has been shown more than
once that bv the strict enforcement of
severe quarantine restrictions the
ravages of the disease may be limited if
not prevented, and there is no overesti-
mating the importance Of this. Even
from commercial point of view it pays
to enforce measures for excluding an
epidemic. But local health authorities
cannot, for good reasons, be entrusted
with this work with absolute confidence.
For example, when the outbreak oc-
Cured in Hamburg, the local authorities
were not allowed by the commercial
influences to handle it vigorously, be-
cause that would give rise to fears and
to a general knowledge of the extent of
the disease, thus crippling the business of
the town. 1t is fact that the Hamburg
authorities misrepresented the situation
for a long time, and neglected such steps
as would expose the truth. y
1t is much safer to have this control
Of quarantine in the hands of the Fed
eral government, with the assistance, of
| course, of local officials. Then the guard
ians at the different ports could act to-
gether and with the 3gents of the gov
ernment at the infected ports abroad.
Whatever is done to provide means for
| fighting cholera, by the Federal govern
ment, should be done as soon as possible,
that the machinery may be set up in
good time. With all precautions, 1t is
possible and even probable that cases
will develope both in coast and interior
cities, to be ,wrestleG with by state and
municipal boards.
When cholera menaced the United
States some years ago, the Wisconsin
legislature appropriated $4,000 to be
used in the discretion of the State Board
of Health to fight cholera. The cpl
demic did not reach America and the
money was turned into the general fund
again. The menace now is more serious
and at least $4,000 should be made a
special fund under the same conditions.
In case the cholera should come, every
dollar could be used to advantage. Mil
| waukee Sentinel.
Just here it may not be amiss to refer
to our own need of more strict sanitary
measures. In many parts of the city
the water supply is impure. Wells are
III close proximity to out houses, barns,
etc, and are fruitful sources of pesti-
lence. Cess pools abound in all parts
of the city that have not been cleaned
| for many months. Back yards are re-
| ceptacles for filth and house refuse.
! Accommodations of decayed vegetation
block the alleys. Much Uncleanliness
prevails that needs to be thoroughly
ONCG-DdluCu ana generously DuTI6U LII
lime. Asspring approaches the poison
| Gus gases arising from the winters accu-
mutations of disease germs will bring to
| US epidemics and maybe a pestilence
that no after care can ever atone for.
Our health officers are capable, eff
cient officers, but find their hands tied
by the Indifference and obstinacy of
| those whom they serve. Many people
seem to think it an infringement on
their nights to have an inspector look
over their premises, and a spirit of
enmity is awakened, when, in the dis
charge of his official duty an officer
orders more efficient sanitary measures.
Nevertheless in view of the possible
cholera outbreak, vigilance and a strict
adherence to the laws Of health will be
exacted of those whose duty it is to
look after those things.
Every good citizen has an interest in
the welfare of the city, and no personal
inconvenience or annoyance should be
considered in the work needed for the
city's safety.