The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-01-13
PRECAUTIONS.
Plans for a Proper Quarantine
Being Formulated.
Seven Days Detention Of Immigrants
at the Port of Departure,
During Which Time They Are to BE In
spected Daily by Medical Offieials TO
lie Appointed by the American
Consuis-Other Measures.

WAsuINGToN, Jan. lO.-The settle
ment by the president and secretary of
the treasury of the quarantine regula-
tons to prevent the introduction az
cholera and other diseases into this
country will be reached this week. The
treasury officials think a seven-day in
spection of immigrants at the port of
debarkation will be sufficient, but Dr.
Wyman, the supervising surgeon general
of the marine hospital service, urges
that twenty days quarantine be en-
forced after arrival in United States
ports before immigrants shall be per-
mitted to land
The regulations which Assistant Sec
rotary Spalding has approved provide
for a seven days quarantine of immi-
grants at the port of departure, during
which time the immigrants are to be
inspected daily by medical officials to
be appointed by the American consuls,
but to be paid for their services by the
steamship companies. If after seven
days no trace of disease appears and
the doctors certify to that effect the
immigrants may be taken aboard ship,
but before that is done the immigrant
must again be inspected in the presence
of the American consul, and a certiti-
cate of health given. Both these certifi-
Gates must be countersigned by the
American consul.
If after this seven days, inspection no
case of infectious disease appears dur
ing the voyage no danger can arise from
the landing of the immigrants. To in
sure accurate information on this
point. passengers are to be inspected
during the voyage three times daily.
All baggage of the passengers to be dis
infected in accordance with the provis-
ions of the circular, and the American
consul must certify that the ship itself
has been thoroughly disinfected before
departure, and that the drinking water
has been subjected to chemical analy-
sis and found to be healthful. This re-
quirement has been deemed necessary
on account of the former use OF water
from the river Elbe, which is infected
with cholera germs. The ventilation
/ of the Storage or between decks must
also be approved by the proper officials
of the treasury department
in adGitionsto these sanitary regala-
lions the treasury circular contains pro
visions to keep out The undesirable i'm
migrants Instead of recurring a con-
sular certificate, which is considered
! impractical, the officers of the steam
ship lines are made responsible for
the character Of the immigrants.
! The local agents of the lines are to
be required to obtain from ell in
tending immigration their names,
sex, residence, nationality, trade or
| profession, married or single, if married
name Of wife and children; to what
state they intend to go, whether pass
age is paid to destination, who paid for
the passage; was any part paid by the
! government or local authorities or by
a benevolent association; if the passage
was paid for in America, the name and
| address of payee; whether the immi-
! grant is physically sound, or he or any
member of his family is q cripple, or af-
! tilcted with bodily or mental ailments, or
! has ever been in prison or the inmate
of an asylum or a charitable institution;
whether the immigrant has relatives in
the United States, and who they are;
whether he has a contract to work for
any person, firm or corporation in the
| y nlCeQ States anu II SO IOr WnOn;
what business he intends to engage in;
whether he has ever been in the United
States, and if so when; how much
money he expects to have when he ar
rives here; whether he can read or
write
These questions are to be put to the
intending immigrant in his mother
tongue, and he is to be advised at the
same time that upon arrival in this
country he will be required to make
oath to the truth of his answers, and
that for any false statement he will be
liable to the penalty 1mposed by the
laws of this country for perjury. The
treasury officials think no vessels should
be subject to quarantine in United
States ports. except these upon which
cases Of infectious or contagious dis
eases have developed during the voy
age
If no such cases have appeared
thorough medical inspection of immi-
grants before landing will be sufficient
in their opinion. Whether President
Harrison will adopt the views of the
treasury officials, or sustain DR. Wyman
by ordering twenty days quarantine
of immigrants, remains to be seen.