Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-30
ANTI-CH0LERA GERMS.
A Big Eody of Specialists Moving
for National Quarantine.
PRECAUTIONARY BILL PREPARED.
Chief Clerk Gray Was Sent to Investigate
for Pittsburg.
MONEY AND MEASURES ARE NEEDED

cholera in Hamburg and other parts of the
old world has again awakened apprehen-
sions in this country and city, and anxiety
is expressed as to what measures for protec-
tion from the scourge are going to be taken
by the proper authorities.
Just who the proper authorities are was a
vexed question last year, and in the pre-
liminary skirmlsh with the cholera several
clashes occurred, notably in New York,
where DR.. Jenkins sat himself upon an un-
stable pedestal as supreme authority; also
in this city, where several powers clashed
when it was proposed to establish Quaran-
tine lines outside the city limits, and neither
municipal, county nor State authorities
could agree Just where the dead lines should
be placed. As a result Cumberland, on
the southern border was selected, and Jer-
sew City on the eastern. These were under
the supervision of the State, while the city
was content with q sort of'perfunctory san
itarv inc, ation on the Pennsylvania and
Baltimore and Ohio Railroads Just outside
the city lines This year. if the work of
the American Public Health Association
bears the fruits OF It's labors there will be
one body, supreme in authority, that will
do away with all the clashings of petty To-
cal or State officials, who will all be subor-
dinate to the one. The last meeting of this
American Health Association was held in
Mexico, and some curiosity was expressed
as to why Crosby Gray, Chief Clerk of the
Department of Public Safety of Pittsburg,
had been sent on that long journey to at
tend the meeting of the body.
To Investigate Cholera.
81 was sent to Mexico said Mr. GRAY
last night, "for the express purpose Of look
ing into the cholera investigation that was
to be made by the association. 1t was
known that a strong move was to be made for
a national quarantine, and 1 was sent there
to see, hear and learn what L could for the
benefit of Pittsburg next summer, when an
ounce of experience in prevention will go
further than all the theories of cure you can
crowd into lifetime" Mr.. Gray was for
10 years health officer in this city, and no
one more conversant with the practical side
of preventing infectious diseases could have
been selected for the important mission.
In telling of what was done and is being
done, Mr.. GRAY said:
''In summing up the work of the Ameri-
can Public Health Association ct its last
meeting, can say that its first object was
to secure national quarantine. The expe-
rience of the past summer has been bene-
fetal one, in that it showed our weakness
anu POiulSQ Oul lIi6 4uOSL SnSCllNS LHSluOu
OF preventing the importation of infectious
diseases. There was too much clashing of
authority, as in the case of Dr. jenkins
and the Federal authorities. The cholera
was discussed in all its phases by the mem
bers of the association. There were present
346 sanitarians, physicians and health
officers, nearly one-half of whom were from
the United States and Canada. Among
those present were men who had met and
xl-ractlpd with diseases in
form; had fought them from house, city and
State, and were now determined that they
should be kept from the country if pow
erful appeal TO Congress would have any in
fuence in causing that body to take action.
The Committee Is Moving.
Resolutions were passed and committees
appointed to press the measures before
Congress, and some important work has
already been done in that respect The
resolutions embodied the sentiments of the
entire association, and were 10 the effect
that a national quarantine must be estab-
Eshed if this country desires TO be on the
safe side during the coming summer, when
the cholera invasion is believed to be no
mere threat The idea is that the national
body should be presided over by
a cabinet officer, and that not
only the American shores should be
watched, but also the foreign.
spector at every European point of depart
ure. They are not to assist the consuls, but
will themselves be the deciding power in
doubtful cases. An attempt had been made
to give consuls the power to act in such
cases, but they either did not care to per-
form such duties, or could not, and the
move proved a failure. In case suspected
persons should pass these foreign inspectors
they should be stopped on this side of the
ocean and returned to their own country, as
it is intended to keep not only close
watch on where immigrants come from, but
on what countries they lately passed
through! In order to do this Government
inspection should be increased on this side,
so that double safeguard will be offered
this country.
Should Watch Lake Ports.
'In addition, the national quarantine that
1t is intended to create shOuld have men in
every State and city, if necessary, and all
the lake ports should be especially watched.
Canada will cooperate heartily in this, as
the members present at the conference in
Mexico were especially anxious that this
Government should take action, and thus
the two countries could work together by
mutual protection.
"Were the members present in favor of
tie entire exclusion of immigrants?"
''Yes, they desired almost unanimously
to go on record in this respect. All this, |
and even more, was considered and talked |
of on every side, and finally embodied in |
the resolutions that are being prepared in |
the shape of a bill to press upon Congress |
for its speedy passage.
"Will Pittspurg do anything in the mat |
ter of preventing the entrance of choIera?''
Certainly, and it was to get the benefit |
of the experience of all these people that 1 |
was sent to the meeting. Pittsburg will do
her very best to clean house and prepare to
fight the evil should it come"
"Was it the opinion OF the association
members that cholera would be here next
summer?"
No Scourge Is Expected.
''Yes, it was. While no such scourge as
affiicts the old country and occasionally is
feared here, on account of our more sani-
tary methods of life, the general opinion of
the members was that cholera would visit
this country during the coming summer,
and that its severity depended entirely
upon what measures were taken in time to
shut out the disease Many thought strict
national quarantine might keep out the
cholera entirely, but this was not the gen.
eral opinion.
''What is Pittsburg going to do to take
care of her own?"
"Well, under Chief Browns instructions
1 drew up a garbage bill, which lay in
Councils for q long time. 1 believe it
finally passed, but in what shape l do not
know" (This indlferently.)
''Then you don't expect the city will ben !
eft greatly by this measure?"
ssNo," said Mr.. Gray decisiyely "yhat