Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-12-24
TALKING Of CHOLERA.
Will Il Visit Our Shores in
The Spring?
QUESTION OF IMMIGRATION.
Strict Quarantine Measures Are En-
dorsed BY Physicians.

WAsHiNCTON. Dec. 2i-Surgeon Gen.
eral Wymd. OF the marine hospital serv-
ice, In answer 10 questions as TO the dan
ger OF reappearance Of the cholera In the
coming spring aud summer, saidi There
are at the present time two factors which
render the situation wi tn regard TO cholera
serious. One is the appearance OF fresh
cases of that disease in Hamburg, and the
other Is the continued prevalence Of the
disease In Russia. The cholera 10 by no
means wiped out abroad. and the greatest
care will have to be exercised to prevent
it's gaining a foothold on this side of the
Atlantic. The speedy passage Of . bill
which shall give clearly defined powers to
make precautionary regulations. with sui.
ncisnt appropriations to make them sffeo-
tive, Ia extremely desirable.
Information has been received that In
spite Of all that has been done to discour-
age immigration from infected countries,
particularly Russia, there are large num-
bers of immigrants from that country
who are ersistent in their efforts to reach
the United States. The order for the ex-
pulsion Of the Jews from Russia, hereto
fore enforced in certain limited districts,
s now being enforced all over the en-.
pire. This means that large number Of
immigrants from badly infected districts
will
Try to Reach the United states
and no one can view these matters with
out serious concern. II is nadvisabls to
create any unnecessary alarm in regard
TO the danger from cholera. have great
faith In the sanitary intelligence and abil-
ity to meet emergencies possessed by the
people Of the Unltel States, but the facts
have simply got to he faced, and II Is part
only Of ordinary wisdom to take precau-
tions.
"rhere is danger" DR.. Wyman con-
tinued, in response to further questions,
''of cholera reaching the United States
from the island OF Cuba, because Of the
close commercial intercourse between
Cuba and Spain and other European
ports. There have been sundry intima-
tions from time tn time that 10 was the
purpose of the treasury department to
modify the stringent provisions Of the
circular OF Aug. TO- regarding the i'm.
portation OF rags BY the terms Of the
circular consular certificates Of disinfeo-
tion are required with all importations Of
rags from foreign ports and an absolute
prohibition Of the Importation Of rags
from districts known To be infected with
cholera is enjoined."
Or. Wymsn says that there has been no
intention at any time OF modifying this
circular.
Doctors Opinions.
The Joint committee OF the two houses
Of congress. charged with the investiga-
tion OF immigration, recently ad-
dressed To physicians Of promi-
nence in New York and elsewhere
questions regarding the possibility Of .
visitation Of cholera In the spring or sum-
mer Of ls:@, and also regarding the meas
nres connected with immigration that
should be adopted TO prevent the intro
duction of the plague The committee
has received replies from nine leading
medical practitioners of New York city
and one from Chicago.
DR. Joseph r.. Winters Of New York
says there is ided apprehension In
the minds NJ phys clans that there will be
= visitation Of cholera in the spring, un.
less means are taken 20 prevent It.
He believes that immigration should be
susperdel for year or even longer.
Charles g. Wilson, president Of the
board Of health of the city of New York,
fears n station during the coming spring
and summer unless stringent measures
are Gdop:ed lie recon amends inspection
at foreign ports by medical officers repre-
senting the United States government
and subsequent inspection on arrival at
American ports. The suspension Of Inn
migratian for one year would. he thinks,
lessen. but not entirely remove. the dan
ger to this country.
DR. w. A. Ewing Of New York suggests
that the popular apprehension Of danger
may arise from the dormant germs al
ready here as veil az from fresh importa-
tions. The chief danger, however, he be-
li.ves, lics in the immigrant and his lag.
gage. ITc 10 opposed to general suspen-
sion OF Immigration.
DIR George r Shrady of New York as.
serts that our greatest safety lies In e.
tahliebing national quarantine and in
suspendiug all immigration for a reason
able period say one year.
Dr. A. Loomis Of the same city believes
the suspension Of immigration would
avert immediate danger.
Dr. Levi. A. Savre OF New York says
there will be no danger II the whole oonsi-
nent l. pron"r!y guarsntined. He thinks
Il advisable to suspend immigration from
intec'o' cots frra limited period.
DR. j sept %. Bryant. medical commits
sioner ~ the health board Of New York
city, apprehends
visitation OF Cholera Next Year.
The danger can he met by competent sur
veil luce Of Immigrants and their effects,
or by exclusion for a proper time Of the
immigrants themselves
Or. Cyrus Edsou, sanitary superin-
tendent OF New York, believes, should
reports from northern Europe prove TO
liable, that we must expect q severe epi-
demic next spring.
Or stephen Smith, connected With the
New York board OF health during the
cholera epidemic OF 1915 thinks the pssti-
lence will spread from Europe and BE-
more disastrous In 1898 than It was last
year, II traffic and travel from Europe
continues unrestricted. He urges an Of.
fective scientitic quarantine.
Dr. Janeway OF the medical advisory
board OF the New York chamber Of COM
mercs favors suspensio for one year OF
immigration, but points TO danger from
Canada, South America or the West In
dies He recon me ads quarantine stations
at the point Of departure Of immigrants
under control OF the United States govern
mont
ny Flmar "a ~ Chiraua uho studteA