The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-03
A COMPLETE RIP UrATIoN.
No Danger in Visiting Flegler's st. Au-
CUISINE Hotels.
FROM the Tines onion June 20.

FROM the Tines onion June 20.
There is abundant cause for oongratula-
tion in the report of DIR. John s. Billings
and in the statement of the st. Johns
county board of health both published this
morning and both relating to health mat
tors IN the city of St. Aug ustne and to the
sanitary condition OF the three great hotels
tn ere know as the Fla gler group. By reason
of the conflicting reports in circulation last
winter and spring with re terence to the ex-
istence OF typhoid fever in that city, and of
the publication in various parts Of the coun-
try OF certain maliciously false statements
In this connection, Henry NJ. Flagler
engaged DIR. Billings to make athorough
examination of the Hotels Ponce de Leon,
Cordova and Aloazar with view to dis
covering their sanitary defects, il any ex-
istsd, and to learning the truth as to
whether or not the orr lin OF any cases Of
typhoid fever could be traced to them. His
selection of DR.. Billings was after cousulta-
tiOa with the most eminent physicians in
PHILADELPHIA and New York-among them
Dr. Janeway Of the latter city-and they
all agreed that DR.. Billings wide expert
euce and his excellent reputation would en-
title whatever report he might make 10 the
confidence of the medical profession as we'll
as tho country at large.
DR.. Billings finds that nothing in the
water supply, the drainage or the general
conduct Of any depar tment Of these hotels
could have caused the cases of fever in
question aud that prior to Dec. Is no cases
had existed in the city of st. Augustine or
in ST. Johns county. And the county board
of health testfiss that there is no typhoid
fever at the present time in st. Johns
county and that the health Of the people is
exceptionally good. In all probability
every case of fever there during the winter
and spring can ultimately be traced to
causes wholly outside the state of Florida,
and thus the mouthings of the states
enemies as to perennial malaria have been
forever silenced. II reinsurance at hone
we're necessary, there would also be addi-
tiopRl cause for congratulation in the clos
ing paragraph Of DR.. Billings report He
says:
knowing. as I do, the great interest in these
Southern winter health resorts felt by O large
number Of northern invalids, IL has seemed best
to MAKE this preliminary statement in order to
assure them that they can make their plans for
going TO St Augustine next winter with perfect
confidence that-while absolute security can be
had nowhere-so long as they are there, they
will probably be less liable to be exposed to the
contagion OF typhoid fever than they will be IL
they remain at home
II any feeling Of uncertainty has hereto
fore existed among the invalids and tour
tst classes in any part Of the country, this
expert statement from the highest author
ity ought to forever quiet all fears on this
score,
In thus assuming the task Of defending
the reputation Of Florida against unjust
and malicious attacks Mr. Flaglsr is enti-
tied 20 the thanks Of all the people In this
state-for false report that would have
injured st. Augustine would have affected
In like manner every city and town In
Florida. The refutation is complete-and
it is doubtful IL another would have under
taken the task had Mr.. Flagler been indif-
ferent to the necessities Of the situation.