The Hawaiian gazette., 1895-09-17

Health, will send a number OF
copies of this letter to people on
the other islands today. 1t is not
an official document, but a succinct
account of the cholera epidemic,
with comments on the action of the
people regarding the landing of
freight and passengers on the other
islands:
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, !
HONOLULU, II. L,
MONDAY, 6 80 p M, Sept. Is, 1895. J
DEAR Survive have been much
troubled by the extreme views taken
by some people on each of the other
islands. The Hawaii people seem the
most reasonable, Maui next and
Kauai worst.
While it is reasonable that every
one on the other islands should see to
it that cholera is not permitted to be
introduced, they should give US here
credit with having some sense.
We are working day and night, and
certainly have better opportunities to
Judge. We cannot understand why
the Kauai people should support the
idea that an eighteen days quaran-
tine is necessary.
European and American authorities
limit the period OF incubation of
cholera to six days, at the outside.
That is the period in which the dis
ease will appear after the germs Tor
bacilli) are introduced into the sys-
- ahn1
and does no. take any OF the germs
into him (meanwhile), after six days
there is no danger that he will have
the disease. His clothing or effects
may contain the germs, especially if
damp, for a long time Eighteen days
will not render them safe any more
than twenty eight or thirty eight
days unless they are disinfected.
Now, our proposition is land the one
we have been following) to fumigate
the ship thoroughly, disinfect the
crew aud fumigate all their clothes
and effects; the same as to passen-
gers. Then have them 60 into quar-
antine for six days; then take off
freight to the ship under every safe
guard we can devise. And NOW we
have added) before she sails have the
ship and cargo fumigated. After all
that we consider it safe to let them
take the freight and passengers to the
other islands.
If those on the other islands think
they know better, or if they wish
additional precautions taken, why
don't they consent to let the passen-
gers 60 into quarantine on the island,
as the Hilo people have done and as
Messrs. Fairchild and Spalding have
asked to be allowed to do.
Fairchild and Spalding offered to go
into quarantine at their beach home,
to be guarded in any way the Kauai
committee required, and pay all ex-
penses themselves. We cannot under
stand what objection there can be to
this.
Our action in appointing commit
tee upon each island was 10 have their
but not to have them
act 10 defiance of the Board Of Health
and Government here.
do not believe any OF them have
intended to act in opposition to the
Board of Health, but do believe that
many people, through want of ihfor-
nation, and misinformatioD, and IN
due fear, have erred in judgment.
Mr.. Knudsen ought not to have been
sent back from Kauai. 1t was I'M
necessary and wrong.
We do not wish to force freight or
onto any island, but we do
wish reasonable action taken.
Cholera is dreadful disease. Allo of
Us who have been with the sick and
dying during the past few weeks real
ize this; and we realize what terrible
thing it would be if it were introduced
into the other islands, but we must be
II the people on any island do not
feel that our precautions are sufficient,
or, in spite of efforts and good inten-
tons there still is danger, let them
add q reasonable quarantine for pas
sengers SAY five or six days. after
they have undergone our require
ments and arrived at the island; and
let them have the freight fumiga'ed
again on board the vessel before land
ing, or on shore If they prefer; but
don't ask that passengers aud freight
lay in a vessel off Honolulu fifteen or
eighteen days.
II clothing or personal effects COM
ing from an infected place are not dis
infected 10y fumigstion or some other
wayl, they are no more safe in
eighteen days than they are in eighty
tsys. IL they are thoroughly disin-
Iected, they are as safe in eighteen
hours as they are in eighteen days.
Merchandise in original packages
q considered safe, especially If fumi-
gated on the outside.
One great fear we have of goods
coming from Japan is that much OF it
q put up by persons manufacturingon
4 small scale in places where cholera
3 epidemic.
The goods we now allow to be sent
rom Honolulu are: Rice, -four, tea,
medical supplies, gram, lime, cement,
kerosene oil, machine oil, and coal in
bulk.
II will be observed that of the arti-
les Of food all have to be cooked be-
ore using. Hay We have stricken
rom the list. Articles of machinery
nay be sent on special permits, de-
upon what il is.
We feel much more hopeful now
han for some time that We have the
iisea-e under control The utmost
vigilance is observed; hundreds Of men
ire on guard and inspecting; disin-
Getting, fumigating and burning are