Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-11
INrERNATIeNAL ooNFEnRscR

OF State and PROVINCIAL Boards of /
Health-Desirsd Concert Of Action
to ward or the Cholera From Our |
Shores-Lack of Uniformity I'm sam |
itary Laws-The Committees Report |
Election of OGcers-Dr. c. A.Linds- |
for the Ensuing Year.
There is consensus of opinion among
tbs best-informed that the presence of
cholera in this country during the coming
summer is an event which may be reason
ably expected.
In anticipation of such danger it Is the
part of prudence to know the causes of
such forebodings, to carefully examine our
defences and consider what more preosu-
tions can be taken.
To that end conference of the official
sanitarians of the country was convened
on April ct New York. Delegates repre-
scented moro than twenty states of the
Union, from Maine to Louisiana and from
the Carolinss to the Dskotas. The prov
inces of Canada were also there. The
army was represented by DR.. Billings and
DR.. sternberg, the navy by DR.. Guion and
the marine hospital service by Surgeon
General Wyman. It was a body of more
than fifty Of the most distinguished by
gienists on this continent, assembled for
personal interchange of views on the
threatened peril and the best means of
averting it.
Two objects were prominent-one to
obtain by direct personal information from
each other, the exact sanitary condition of
every part Of the country, and the powers
possessed by the different states to defend
themselves from an invasion Of the pesti-
1enoe; and especially to learn what security
against the disease can be expected from
the quarantine appliances, regulations and
practice at the ports of entry.
The other object was to devise as far as
possible some uniform system of protee-
ton against the spread of the pestilenee
into the interior, through the medium of
transportation on railway lines and by
steamboats,.
The conference continued its sessions for
three full days. Reports were made by
delegates for every state and Canadian
province represented.
The diversity Of laws and conditions of
the states rendered any uniform system of
| action impraotieable on the part of all the
states except in so far as they are enabled
to enforce the ordinary sanitary precsu-
tions preventing the transportation of in
| fected persons and things. In some Of the
states full powers are given to state boards
of health to station inspectors at state
boundaries and intercept all travel until
satisfied of safety, establishing hospitals
and disinfecting plants. Several states
had authorized the expenditure of IN.
limited sums for the protection of their
people, If necessary. Other states, like
Connecticut, have made no provision to
prevent the introduction of infected i'm
migrants and their baggage into thei1
| states, except by the clumsy method in
vogue in each town and city acting fol
itself
The condition of the ports of entry or
the Atlantic coast was also reported upon
1t was revealed that with very few e1cep
tons they are not prepared to afford the
best protection that modern science de
| mands.
The port of New York, where the great
est danger lies, was visited by the confer
ence and by the courtesy of the health
officer, DR.. Jenkins, personal exsmina
ton was afforded. Ths result of the in
vestigation was embodied in report, II
which certain improvements were urgently
recommended.
TEE CoHAITrlns REPORT.
| Resolved, That it be expressed as the sense o
this conference, representing the health author
| tiles of the United States, Canada and Mexico
that the Importance Of having maintained at tn
Of quarantine against imported pestilence is 8
| great as to warrant the conference In offerin
inasmuch as tie STATS Of New YORK si hs: as
| sumed the responsibility Of carrying ON the in
Of which other states must Of necessity Target
|, | depend, the representatives OF those states an
communities feel themselves justified in urgin
that the present plant and appliances for the pei
formance of quarantine at Hoffman island be s
enlarged and improved as to conform with tn
| highest standard Of modern Improvement
| The conference recognizes the fact that til
present quarantine administration has Lahore
under the disadvantage OF having to operate
and full credit is accorded for such good work q
{ has been done by the present active quarantn
| important improvements are contemplated, an
| that as soon as possible these will be institutes
| Island, the observation and disinfecting static
| containing the principal quarantine plant frol
, The facilities for the disinfection of baggae
| and bedding are deemed entirely inadeauat
The conference is informed that an extension
the same to about nine times its present capacit
| is contemplated. but in view Of the constal
| menace from cholera the conference urgent
recommends that these facilities be increase
. If practicable, it is also recommended that
b wharf in deep water be built for 'he better a
? eomnoSdation OF vessels under treatment at Hoi
The supply Of drinking water in eisterns is sue
/ as 10 EonOor CONTAMINATION at the sCatlOl
= possible, ami the necessity for better arrang
= | ment is imperative.
1t appears that No disnfection Of immigrant
baggage other than on vessels has been practise
! at the port Of New York since last october, ar
= | this conference formally protests against Il
continuance of this neglect. The conferent
also deems it its duty to report that the certi
Gates at present issued by the United Stat
| officials represented by DR.. Wheeler Of tn
| service, have NO value whatever in guaranteeir
3 any previous inspection or disinfectfon Of INN
: grants baggage, as this station is not design'
| for quarantine work
. The hospital at Swinburne Island is We
| equipped, and the creRaatory attached to same
one Of approved construction.
Q The following officers were elected for the e
. | suing year:
President DR.. @. A. Lindsey of Connection
v | vice president, DR.. I. A. Watson of New Ham
9 shire; secretary, pr. O 9; Probst of Ohio; trea
,, | urer, DR.. II. B. Baker Of Michigan. The confs
ence then adjourned subject to the call of Il
| executive committee.