The herald., 1895-09-01
NO FEAR FROM CHOLERA
The Plague In Honolulu Closely Con.
fined by Quarantine
D.. Davisson, President of the California State
Board of Health Says Los Angeles Is
Safc-possibiities OF S.nsiipox

News has reached this country of the
outbreak of cholera in Honolulu. Some
apprehension exists lest is should be
brought here. The nearness OF the
islands and the constant communicate ion
between them and the Pacific ports mi ad e
the matter at first seem serious. but as
surances have come from the quarantine
o.flcials at San Francisco that there need
be no tear, as every precaution is being
taken to keep the dreaded disease con-
fined within the islands.
DR.. ]. H. Dawson, president of the
California state board of health, when
asked his opinion as to the liability OF
the plague reaching this city, said that
there were absolutely no grounds for the
fear. st is very easy said he. to
maintain a marine quarantine, and in
the present case there is what we may
cali double defense; the first being that
of the quarantine at Honolulu, and Sec
ond that at San Francisco, or for that
matter any OF the ports along the coast.
If it were only guarded by land quar-
antine. the danger of its breaking ouJ
would be greatly augmented.
st1peaking of land quarantine, brings
- my mind the danger which has threat
ened this state from the smallpox which
has been raging in Mexico. and mas
broken over the border in several places
and entered Arizona and Texas. The
fact has not been very generally known
here, but it is true that this state has
been in danger of an invasion of small
pox for upwards of five months. The
marine quarantine service has been
active in its efforts to control the disease
ct Nogales and other points where it has
broken out, but despite the efforts it has
obtained hold in many of the interior
towns in the mountains.
''The territorial sanitary commission
has done good work in confning the
disease within limited space. care
full inspection has been made of all trains
entering and leaving the territory. Four
months ago DR.. Price was detailed by
the state board of health to inspect all
the Southern Pacific trains coming to
California and the greatest care has been
exercised BY him in that respect. On
several occasions l have been on the
point of recalling him, and in fact have
written him to prepare to give up the
watch, when word would come of fresh
outbreak. and it would be necessary to
continue him at his work.
1--WE have determined to fight the
plague at distance rather than allow it
to enter our midst. The situation is
really more serious than it appears. for
the fact that the disease has not been
controlled during the warm weather
when conditions are most favorable for
stamping it out, ADMITS of serious appre-
tensions for the approaching winter.
LAS regards the sanitary conditions of
Los Angeles said DR.. Davisson, Il can
not say that we are any worse off than
any other place. Indeed there are some
conditions which are very favorable were
an epidemic to break out. In case it
should be cholera we would have the ad-
vantage of being IN well ventilated sec
tion of the country. Then, too, the water
supply, which is of great importance, is
good. coming as it does from distant
source instead of from wells located in
what would be the infected district.
Every individual would of necessity have
to regulate his diet and maintain the
strictest watch over the sanitary arrange
ments of his home.
Smallpox would be different thing.
Nothing would serve as a safeguard
against it but vaccination. Sometime
ago fearing the approach of the scoIlrge,
l requested the citv authorities to prepare
for general vaccination, but very little
was done in the matter and l trust 1t
may not now be necessary.
THE state sanitary inspector. DR.. Price,
will be continued at his post until all
danger is past. and should the situation
at any time become alarming the public
will be apprized of it. -