The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-02
re BEST CHO .RA.
Senator Chandler Gives HAN Views
of the Situation.
IMMIGRATION AND DISEASE.
The oaestion . Tremendous one-He APP
proves the Preparations Being Made
at New York Preventive and Prophy-
Tactic Measures Considered.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.--Senator Chand-
Ter, chairman of the Senate committee on
immigration, has returned from New
York in company with Senator Harris,
the chairman of the committee on epi-
demic diseases, Surgeon General Wyman
of the marine hospital service, and DR..
Hamilton, who established Camp Low
last fall by direction OF the treasury de-
partment.
They have been making most careful
examination OF the preparations which
have been made In New York and vicin-
ity to repel the cholera, and as that is the
point from which the disease may per-
haps be most readily disseminated II 1t
again makes lodgment on this conti-
nent, the result of their observations and
their conclusions have more than local
interest. Said Senator Chandler:
I'VE visited the state quarantine, which
consists of Hoffman and Swinburne ISL
lands, and heard DIR. Jenkins plan for
keeping out cholera. We also, in compa-
ny with President Charles q. Wilson OF
the board OF health and DIR. Cyrus Edison,
sanitary superintendent of the board, ex-
amined their preparations for isolating
cholera cases IL the disease should succeed
In passing the state and national quaran-
tine defences and get into the city.
"These were, first, reception hospital
at the foot of Sixteenth street, on East
River, where large new hospital is to be
built this winter TO accommodate 100 peo-
Pile. That and the Willard Parker hospi-
tai, now on the same spot, will ordinarily
be used, as the Parker hospital is now
used, for diphtheria, scarlet fever and
other contagious diseases; but in an
emergency all these
VIII be Treated Elsewhere
and the buildings will be the first place to
which patients stricken with cholera in
the city will be taken.
eThen we went down the bay and ex-
amined the hospital at North Brother
Island, where, in addition TO the main
buildings, are twelve large wooden pa
vilions land more are to be erected) where
the typhus fever patients are now treated.
These would be used for the reception of
cholera patients il they could not all be
treated upon the floating cholera hospital
owned by the state board OF health, but
the board hopes TO be able to get along
without placing any cases on the land.
""The board of health also has Riker's
Island, near North Brother Island, which
insures ample accommodations for all
probable or possible patients. At the lat
ter place tents could be used, a method OF
treatment which is in high favor among
the medical men. Tents are easily warmed
In cold weather, and the purity OF the
air, the easy disinfection, and other points
commend themselves
All OF these preparations are well
planned, the buildings and plant are in
excellent condition, and seem to us TO be
adequate. In addition to the state and
city preparations, there was Camp Low,
established by DIR. Hamilton at Sandy
Hook. This Is composed of wooden bar
racks hastily erected, but with heating
and electric plants and hospital separa-
ted from the barracks. In them 1000 peo-
pie could be kept In quarantine without
discomfort.
at might be stated at this point that in
connection with the Hoffman and Swim
burne Island stations DIR. Jenkins contem-
plates the construction OF a floating hos
pital for the treatment OF those who are
actually cholera stricken, SO as to carry
out the general plan of treating all cases
on the water, and preventing the disease
from obtaining and maintaining foot
hold ashore. There is no cause to fear a
pollution OF the waters OF the harbor, for
every scientific precaution will be adopted
looking to the disinfection OF all contag-
tous excreta.
"With what is to be done in the next
month or two, IL appears that nothing
aration to keep out or treat cholera. But
after oil this want TO say that, neverthe-
less,
with Cholera Now Existing
in France and in Hamburg, shall pro-
mote the immediate promulgation by the
treasury department of sanitary regula-
tions, and urge all state and city authori-
ties to get ready for the cholera. / believe
that safety can be found only in the sus-
pension OF immigration and the stoppage
Of steersge transportation.
"When all possible preparations other
wise have been made, still they should be
supplemented by the passage OF the sus-
pension act. The two quarantine bills
now pending in the Senate and the House
will undoubtedly be pushed the first week
In January, with the suspension bill,
alongside, and shall work Tor the pas
sage OF the latter until the 4th OF March il
necessary"
Senator Harris did not care to express
himsetf on the result Of his visit to New
York. "There are no results" he said.
'sWe went TO New York, and my impress
sions of what saw there viii be incor-
porated in my report (Which am now
prcparing) on my bill providing for ma
tional quarantine in conjunction with
state quarantine. / am not in favor OF
Senator Chandler's bill absolutely sus-
pending Immigration for one year, and
shall vote against il.
lnls questlon OF immigration Is tre-
mendous one, and the question of santa
tion Is only one OF a thousand considera-
tions affecting IL. IL should not be con-
sidered with reference to sanitation alone,
as the provisions OF Senator Chandler's
ironclad prohibition bill seem to show
that he so regards 1t.
III my bill becomes law Senator Chand-
ler's cannot be enacted, for my measure
also provides for suspension by the Presi-
dents proclamation in the event of great
danger TO this country from epidemic
disease.
"What my views on the question OF inn
migration are i do not care TO say, but
when the time comes for considering this
great question with reference TO its thou
sand considerations, / will be glad TO
meet Senator Chandler and others inter-
ested and deliberate on the matter with a
view to legislating on IL from every stand
point which 1t embraces"