The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-26
WILL TAKE EARLY ACTION
International Conference of State Health
Boards to Meet Here To-day
President Mccormick Afrives-A Committee
of Sanitary Experts Will Be Appointed TO
Visit All Quarantine Ports

At IL o'clock last night DR.. j. N. McCor-
mick, of Bowling Green, KY. president of
the international conference of State
health boards, arrived in the city. to be
present to-day at the meeting of the execu-
tive committee. which will occur at the
Bates House. The international con-
ference takes in the State health
boards OF the United States
Mexico and Canada. The executive COM
mittee is com posed of DR.. j. N Mccormick.
president; Dr.. H. b. Baker. of Lansing.
MIch.: DIR. c. o. Probst, of Columbus. o..
and Dr. G. N. Metcalf, this city, the secre-
tarles of the respective State boards of
health. The object of the meeting" said
DR.. Mccormick last night lis to take
measures to prevent the Introduction of
the deadly cholera into the United
States, and the committee to- day
will discuss the advisability of appointing
y committee of sanitary experts TO visit
and Investigate the condition OF all the
quarantine posts on the Atlantic sea-
board. from Quebec to Galveston, to learn
as to the efficiency of the plants and the
methods OF conducting them. The inter-
national conference want 10 learn where
the weak points are in the coast defenses.
and II there are any, to see If they
will take the proper steps. toward
Keeping ont the scOurae. Our information
Is that that the maritime hospital stations
are efficiently conducted, but want TO
make sure of It. In all respects the mari
time hospital service Is working with
This action is deemed necessary, not be-
cause we think there is imminent danger of
the introduction of cholera into this
country, but because. if active
measures are not at once taken,
it might be introduced In some of the sen
port towns, and siumber there for year,
then to break ont as an epidemic. believe
the International conference rs conserva-
tive organization, and it wants to be free
handed In this matter. The maritime hos
pital service has established at various
places along the coast efficient quarantine
stations, but the great posts, located at
New York. Boston. Quebec and other cities
are practically under local control"
The executive committee of the inter
national conference is not acting now, then,
because 1t fears immediate dangerV
mo. but we believe in early action. The
last time cholera made it's great march
westward. in 1884 1885 and 1876. il was
kept out of the United States Tor the first
time, and it was because the authorities
acted early and aggressIvely."
DO you think the executive committee
will decide to appoint the committee of
sanitary experts TO visit the various portal"
Eyes, do. shall recommend that it he
done. No. do not know who will be ap-
among the members of the International
conference at least II dozen excellent sani-
tary experts TO select FROM"
The committee will not be in session
longer than to-day. as It's only work will
be the selection of the expert committee.
Comforting with the President.
Secretary Metcalf. of the State Health
Board. was at Lafayette. yesterday. con-
ferrinp with DIR. TAYLOR. president of
the board. with reference to the following
dispatch which he had received:
The following telegram. signed by the presi-
dent and secretary, has been sent to Surgeon
general Wyman: In view OF the westward spread
of cholera In Europe. the Illinois State Board OF
Health earnestly requests that you extend the
scope OF your order of the 18th inst, as TO IN
clude all arrivals from European ports, English
included. IL Is also urged that the order he made
operative forthwith. The services of this board
are at your disposal in any manner you may in
dictate.
Dr. Metcalt returned to this city last nj ghr
and will be present at the international
conference of State boardsof health TO day
If the members reach the city in time.