Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-25
A TypHuS SUSPECT HERE.
Ono of the Massilla's Passengers
Comes to Wilmington.
Tracked by the Police and Promptly Sent
to tho Pest House at Farnhurst--No
Danger of the Disease Spreading.

TRACKED Dy the Poifce ana promptly sent
to tho Pest House at Farnhurst--No
Danger of the Disease Spreading.
Carmine Pascucci, an Italian, from
the typhus fever-stricken steamer Mas
sila. which arrived in New York city
on January 30th, was located in this
city at No. 1717 West Fifth street, ut
4.30 yesterday afternoon week by
Officer Di Mare, in an Italian boarding
house. Registrar Colquhoun of the
health department, received notice
from John II. Weber, United States
commissioner of immigrants in New
York city, Sunday week, conveying to
him the information that Pascucci had
started for this city.
The members of the Board of Health
at once took action in the matter and
Executive Officers Shultz and Connell
were detailed to find the Italian. Police
Officer Di Mare was also instructed to
keep sharp lookout for the Italian, and
the result was the officer located Pas
cucci yesterday week. The latter
was found in an Italian hut at No. 1717
West Fifth street. lie was not notified
that the authorities were after him and
remained in the house all night under
close police surveillance.
On being advised that the Italian had
been located in tho haunts of his
countrymen, Registrar Colquhoun at
once applied to Milton Lackey, trustee
of the poor, to have the man removed to
| the pest house at the almshouse. Ac-
cordingly permit was issued, and yes
terday, by instructions of the trustees
| of the poor, Superintendent Guthrie
came to this city and removed the
| Italian to the pest house. Here he was
stripped of all his clothes and given a
thorough immersion in the bath, after
which lie was habited in bran new gar
ments. The old ones were Immediately
burned.
Officer Shultz on Thursday went to
the Italian boarding house where Pas
cucci had been boarding and disin-
fected all the apartments of the build
ing. The rooms were fumigated and a
large supply of sulphate of zinc and
chloride Of sodium employed throughout
the homes Of the neighboring Italians.
Pasaucci has developed no signs of
the disease yet, but according to the
best medical adyices, if he is affected the
symptoms may develop at the expira-
ton of 81 days.
OPINION OF PHYSICIAN.
In speaking of the disease to a
representative of The GAZETTE on
Thursday well-known physician OF
this city, who for number of years
was resident physician at Blockley
Hospital in Philadelphia, said:
"The disease of typhus is rare one,
1t appeared in New England about7d
years ago and spread quite rapidly al
that time. A notable prevalence of the
disease was at the Blockley Hospital al
Philadelphia in 1S35'36. Males and
females were stricken and the cases
filled the hospital. The patients were
brought to the hospital from Bedford
and Small streets, a very filthy and
crowded locality.
sit was imported from Europe. The
disease is not more fatal than typhoid
fever, the mortality being about one In
every 10 or 10 patients. 1t differs ma
terially from typhoid fever in that the
heart and liver especially suffer. The
bowels are not affected as in typhoit
fever. The disease is contracted by
contact and by clothing, and especially
is one more liable TO contract the
malady in filthy locations.
Ii 10 peIHino We'll uiio man tNdIlliil'
PascuccD has been isolated and no
allowed to remain in the cabins of thu
Italians where the affection might spreat
rapidly.
"lhe disease has rarely originated in
the United States, if ever. There i
really very little cause for fearing ;
, spread of the fever in the community
: with the present advanced views o
, hygiene. 1t may be well to state tina
during the plague at Blockley Hospital
} already referred to, out of eight physi
clans two were stricken with the diseas
t and recovered"
| The physician from whom the abov
/ interview was obtained was residen
physician of Blocliloy during the entir'
prevalence of the plague.