Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-16

fica,es will be inspected at certain points
along the road
"But when will the board begin inspec-
tion of trains?" was asked.
ST understand they are Watching trains in
the East. Will baggage be fumigated here?
/ dou't know. That will depend on the
necessity of the case. All the work of dis
infection is now being done at the ports of
entry"
Philadelphia Alarmed.
A telegram from Philadelphia yesterday
stated that the announcement that cholera
had made its way into the heart of New
York was received by the members of the
Board of Health while they, in company
with the international Health Committee,
Director Beitler and Mayor Stuart, were at
the Lazaretto. Word was received from
the City Hall giving few of the particulars
of the discovery, and, while no action was
taken at the time, the new danger was in.
formally discussed from every standpoint.
DR.. Shakespeare, the port physician who was
present at the time. said that the Philadel-
phia health authorities had implicit con-
fidence in the ability of the New York peo-
ple to deal with the disease. Director
Bsitler, when asked as to the feasibility of a
system of quarantine between Philadelphia
and New York, said:
81 consider it not only feasible and prac-
ticable, but of the utmost importance that
some form Of quarantine should be estab-
lished between the two cities Cholera de-
pends for its life upon the distribution of
Its germs from person to person, and place
to place. To counteract that possibility of
distribution to the utmost is what must be
sought. An absolute quarantine is impos-
sible, but many measures may be taken and
plans be effected by which the transmission
of infection from other points hers may be
impeded, if not effectually checked. The
channels of ingress into the city might be
reduced, and such points of entrance left
open only when it would be possible
to establish quarantine depot with vigi-
liant inspectors and doctors stationed
therein Already considerable has been
raging in New York will undoubtedly
hasten the carrying out of the plans that
have been under consideration"
DR.. j. B. McClelland said it was foolish
for people to become excited. He stated
that during the reign of the grip 1000
people died in Pittsburg and yet most men
laughed at the disease. He added that
typhoid fever and black diphtheria are as
much to be dreaded as cholera and are as
deadly, but Americans have become so used
to these diseases that they do not fear them
very much. Still he would insist on all
precautions being taken.
Physicians through the boards of health,
ETC., usually keep posted all over the
country. They write to each other about
diseases, and often know great deal that
is held from the public. A reputable physi-
clan said yesterday that ne had met recently
several doctors who had come from Mime
sofa. They told him they knew of several
cases of cholera in that State among immi-
grants who had come in by way of the
lakes. The health authorities are aware of
the existence OF the disease, but are keep
ing the facts quiet The doctors are afraid
that the cases are more than sporadic, and
that the germs will lie dormant during the
winter and break out in the spring. A
number of people are afraid of a cholera
scourge next summer.
The Plague in Havana.
The same physician who furnished the
above information stated that O few days
ago he had received letter from one of
the health board of Havana, who is also
consulting doctor for line of steamers
running between Cuba and the United
States. The friend writes that the Russian
pestilence, as he calls il, is raging in Ha-
vana, and the authorities are suppressing
the truth. He says nothing about the
deaths, but states that great many people
are sick with the disease. The doctors are
badly overworked, and all who can get
away are leaving the country Havana
is well adapted for the development
of cholera The weather is warm, the
streets are narrow, the city is without any
system of sewerage, garbage is not removed,
and to crown all the city has a large poor
quarter in which many destitute people are
crowded In one section of the town about
80, 600 Chinese live, and it is expected that
the disease will work havoc among them.
So that while New York is being watched
it would be well not to forget Havana also