The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-08
TO KEEP OUT THE PEST.
PortIand's Quarantine Facilities Examined
by National Inspectors.

Portland's Quarantine Facilities Examined
by National Inspectors.
The quarantine commission of the In
ternational Conference of State Boarcs
of Health, consisting of Irving A. Wat
son, M. D., of Concord, N. H.; Peter II.
Boyce, M. D., of Toronto, Canada: 81. B.
Baker, M. D., Lansing, Michigan, and
J. N. Mccormack, M. D., of Bowling
Green, Kentucky, arrived in Portland
Monday noon and were met by the presi-
dent and several members of the state
and city boards of health. The commits
sion, in company with E. G. Jordan,
ESQ.,, C. E., and DR.. G. D. Smith of the
State Board of Health of Maine, Mr.. W.
E. McClintock, sanitary engineer of
Boston, and Drs. Meserve and Merrill
and City Clerk Russell of the local board
of health, left the Grand Trunk wharf on
the Fannie G. and made an inspection of
the islands of the harbor and outer bay.
They expressed themselves as delighted
not only with the natural scenery of
Portland harbor, but also with the
abundant opportunities at various points
for erecting quarantine station, with
every facility for the complete isolation
of the passengers of infected ships,
whether for treatment or observation,
and for the construction of disinfecting
plant of the most improved character.
At the request of the State Board of
Health of Maine and the City Board Of
Portland, the commission formulated its
opinion with regard to the station. 1t
stated
THAT while nature has supplied
every facility for making Portland har-
Dor perfect from quarantine stand
point for the protection of the city and
places in communication with it, there
exists at present practically no quaran-
tine station.
2-That in view of the fact that it is
especially winter port for trans-Atlan-
tic steamship lines which make the st.
Lawrence their summer route it is ur-
gently demanded in consequence of the
existing cholera epidemic in Europe that
the port be at once equipped for winter
SGIFlCt VI lOI duly fCSSOlo W1iiOiA Aii~J
now make for this port if excluded else
where.
$40 this end the commission makes
the following suggestions for the equip
ment of the station:
(a) That some island convenient for the pur-
pose both as being in the line of the steamers
and not inconveniently distant such as House
Island, be set apart for permanent quaran-
(b) That the old fort and such other build
ings as exist be secured for temporary occupa-
ton until a permanent hospital building and
house of detention can be constructed at Safe
distance from each other.
(c) That deep water pier be at once con-
structed at which vessels may land passengers
and baggage, the sick being landed safely at an
ldl That sulphur dioxide furnace aud tanks
for supplying fluid disnfectants be constructed
on the wharf or convenient thereto so that the
ship ana cargo can be effectually fumlgated and
diSinfected.
(e) That some modern apparatus, such, for
instance as the steel cylinders in Charleston
and other seaportS for the steam diSinfection OF
baggage, clothing etc., be constructed and so
arranged at the station that these articles may
be diSinfected, stored and handled SO as TO pre-
ventre-infectiOn.
THAT until these are supplied it
would in the opinion of the commission
be exposing Portland and the continent
to the Introduction of cholera if any
cholera infected ship were allowed GUS
toms entry at this port.
Sin the meantime and until such
measures have been carried out, the
commission recommends to the State
Board of Health and the city board that
the general government be advised of
these facts and be requested to undertake
through the marine hospital service, the
protection of the port by the exclusion
of all ships bearing passengers or cargoes
coming from infected ports.
The committee left on the II p. m.
train for Halifax where they will inspect
the quarantine conditions there, and were
accompanied by DIR. Chas. D. Smith of
the Portland board.