Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-08
IT WAS NOT CHOLERA
Several Cases Of Suspected Yellow Fever
in Baltimore.
The PrecautiOn Taken by Surgeon
General Wyman-Room for Consid-
cradle Doubt, 1t h Thought.

Surgeon General WymAn put an official
epitaph on the recent Cumberland cholera
scare today by announcing that the micro
scopical examination Of the diseased parts
of the body Of Walther, the man who died,
has proved conclusiveiy that he was not az
fiicted with the Asiatic cholera. This re-
suit was accomplished through visit to
Cumberland by DR.. Geddings, passed assist
ant surgeon Of the service, who was present
when Walther's body was exhumed, and
who brought the parts to Washington. He
concluded his examination this morning and
reported to DIR. Wyman that there was
nothing to indicate true cholera. In fact,
his examination was purely negative ex-
cept that he found that Walther had eaten
some badly prepa red food since his arrival
in America, and that his death was due,
doubtless. TO ptomaine poisoning. This is
purely an individual ailment and is caused
by taking ptomaine poison into the sys-
TEN. AS this can not be done by infection
or conta gion, there is not now the slightest
chance of anything further being developed
with regard to the Cumberland case. DR..
Wyman has wired the results of the exami-
nation TO the health officer at Pittsburg.
where the companions of Walthe- are now
in quarantine, and they will, doubtless, be
released. He also wired DIR. Duke, the Cum
berland health officer, officially announcing
that the disease was not cholera.
only to be succeeded by another of consider
able import. According to the press dis
patches of the morning ship has put into
port at Baltimore with yellow fever on
board. One man has died at the hospital
and the ship has been sent to the quaran-
tine. The British steamship Tyzack, from
Havana, arrived at Baltimore on the 3lst
of August, and, passing quarantine without
trouble, was sent to her wharf. On Satur-
day. the day after her arrival, George Her
man, fireman. was taken i'll and was re-
moved 30 the general hospital and died on
Tuesday. Meantime, on Monday, Seaman
John Wilson was taken i'll with the same
symptoms, nausea, headache, backache and
lassitude, and on Wednesday Chief Engin-
eer Poole and Donkey Engineer Watson
were taken In the same Nay They were
also taken TO the hospital, but the fears of
the medical authorities had become aroused
and yesterday all three men were removed
to the quarantine hospital Several men,
bers OF the crew who had shore liberty
were recalled and the ship was sent out to
quarantine at Hawkins Point
Point to Yellow Fever.
DR.. Wyman has already placed himself
in close communication with the cases, and
said today to Star reporter: LAS to the
Baltin Gre cases, Il received inforrnstica
yesterday from the marine hospital surgeon
at Baltimore and also from Dr. McShane,
health commissioner. The latter kindly
came over to Washing tom last night, and
remained with me an hour to explain the
details of the cases more fully than he
could by telegraph or telephone The symp-
toms. as narrated by aDr. McShane and
the appearance Of the patients, as seen by
MIN, strongly pointed to yellow fever and
the ne alth commissioner was amply justified
in taking the very prompt and energetic
precautions which he did. The ship was
sent back to quarantine. the patients were
at once removed to the quarantine hos
pital, the bedding which was used by them
was destroyed by fire and the room which
they occupied at The general hospital was
thoroughly disinfected. The vessel arrived
without cargo and without passengers. The
crew are now all being held under observa-
ton on the vessel, and Dr. McShane has
obtained an accurate hist Of the very few
persons who went on board while the yes
sci was at her dock, and Is having them
placed under careful observation.
Ground. for Doubt.
1T is now SO late in the season that even
If these cases are yellow fever there is no
danger of an epidemic. While the symp-
toms so strongly point to yellow fever as
the disease. there is reasonable ground for
some doubt. Even among physicians ac-
customed to seeing yellow fever disputes
nave arisen in former cases as to the ac-
tuai nature of the disease and in the case
or the man who Is said to have died at
Baltimore OF the fever there has been no
post-mortem examination made This to-
gether with the absence of one or two
symptoms. leaves room for some doubt
In the conference with Dr. McShane ii was
agreed that 1t would be advisable to have
Dr. John Guiteras of Philadelphia see the
cases and act in consultation with DR.. Nc
Shane and the quarantine officers of the
port- Dr. Guiteras is an acknowledged
expert, and has made lifelong study and
a speciality Of yellow fever, and in doubt
full cases there is no higher authority as
to diagnosis in the United States His
services were secured by the marine hos
pital service early this season for the very
purpose OF passing upon any doubtful cases
that might be reported. He has now been
ordered to report in Baltimore and to see
the cases In connection with Dr. McShane
he Will leave Philadelphia as soon as pos
siple. / am making a further investiga-
ton into the cause of the Infection on
board the Tyzack and into the details re-
garding the bill of health furnished the yas-
sell" | 'ee