The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-09-07

matter would become oxydized into
harmless products during the process" "
President Smith called for report
of the committee appointed to search
for a suitable cholera burying ground.
Minister Damon said that George
W. Smith, j. a. McCandless and
himself had gone down on the rail-
road during the morning in search of
a spot suitable for burying purposes.
Went to various places along the line
of the railroad and took men along
with them to dig in what might ap-
pear to be suitable places. Several
localities were picked out, but in all
of these it was found that the earth
was not of sufficient depth. Just this
side of the hill overlooking Halawa
was found good spot. 1t was decided
to recommend this to the Board as q
cholera burial place. Mr.. Smith had
given it as his opinion that the makai
side OF the road be chosen. The spot
was free from drainage into any
stream and was perfectly isolated.
President Smith asked if this place
could be used as permanent burying
ground. Was there enough room?
Minister Damon answered that
there was probably not enough room
for that purpose, but certainly there
Choice of the spot had been decided
on from Mr.. Smiths recommendation
He had handled the subject intelli-
gently and well.
George Smith said he had chosen
the spot on account of the great depth
of soil and the fact that it was not
anywhere near any source OF water
supply.
For the benefit of those not present
on the previous day, President Smith
detailed the mode OF burial carried out
in the cases of the cholera patients.
DIR. McGrew wanted to know how
near the public road was the spot
picked out by the committee.
Geo. Smith said it was near the top
of the hill overlooking Halawa. It
remained with the Board of Health
how near the road the burying ground
should be placed. Perhaps from % to
$50 yards would do.
President Smith said there had been
great difficulty in choosing a spot
near town on account of unfavOrable
conditions of rock such as limestone
and coral together with the addi-
tional dangerous substance, water.
Thought Makiki cemetery was the
safest place.
Geo. Smith-'tNo sir, it is not
safe"
President Smith said there had been
q difference OF opinion on that point.
1t was thought best to adopt the re-
port of the committee and proceed
with the digging of the trenches at
the place named for burial of the dead.
1t would be necessary to eXhume the
bodies already buried on the slope of
Punchbowl. Mr.. Smith thought it
would be a long distance to travel to
the burying ground.
Geo. Smith said there was a good
road all the way.
DIR. Emerson moved for the adOp-
tion of the committees recommended
ton. Carried unanimously.
President Smith had few words
to say on the subject of the cholera.
done all in their power to fight the
disease. 1t was a fact worthy of no
tice that in all the districts that had
been quarantined, with the exception
of two or three places, no cases had
within three days after COM
of quarantine. In the
case of the exceptions mentioned it
was probable that the cases devel-
Oped within the three days belonged
10 the first batch of cases which had
in those districts. The Ka-
quarantined district was
as very dangerous. AT
295 people had been quar-
autined on account OF the cases which
developed in their midst. No cases |
had been developed since that time. |
This was certainly due to the strict |
measures which had been taken. The |
matter of 4uarantining the whole |
city had been under consideration for |
some time. In case this should result |
every house from Makiki to Kalihi |
should undergo rigid inspection twice.
every day. The removal of sick, sup |
plying of food to the needy, dis |
Infection of premises and burn
ng of houses in necessary cases
should be arranged for immedi-
ately. It was thought in this manner
very few days. An early date should
be taken for the organization of a
in this direction. The
city should be divided into districts
and subdistricts. No harshness should /
De used, but instead gentleness should
De employed on all occasions. Every |
house, hamlet and hut should be ex-
smined. The disease may be dor
nant for a short space of time. 1t |
might be thought altogether stamped
)ut when suddenly two or three cases
night turn up. Ine disease may De-
come epidemic. Business interests
would suffer materially. There
should be no delay of action. Meas
Tres taken should be speedy and |
effective. Now was the time TO act.
dr. Smith spoke of the concealment
If cases as an old matter and referred
% the smallpox epidemic of
welve or thirteen years ago dur
pg which times cases were |
hidden frequently. If a sentiment |
# politics entered into the mat
er at all it was to very slight de-
yree It was thought that quaran-
ine would be a very great economy
n the end. The people in need |
hould be fully supplied with neces-
.ary food. The matter of quar-
sutining the whole city would require /,
he time and strength of several |
lundred men for tie space of from
.wo TO five days.
DR.. Day thought the matter of
4, a. 81 l. .,