The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-15
IN NO FEAR OF CHOLERA,
Such Is the Feeling of Both
State and Federal Off
Gals.
BUT RISKS WILL BE AVOIDED.
Every Precaution Adopted to Pre-
vent Its Introduction From
Foreign Ports.

Foreign Ports.
There was conference of three hours
duration yesterday morning in the Office
of Port Surveyor w. D. English between
Quarantine Officer Chalmers, DR.. John
Godfrey of the United States Marine Hos
pltal, DR.. G. T. Packham of the Federal
Quarantine station at Angel Island, Deputy
Fort Collector E. B. Jerome, Port Surveyor
w. d. English and Lieutenant IL. b.
Rogers, commander of the United States
revenue steamer Hartley. It's object was
the discussion and adoption of plans to
thoroughly protect the City and the coun.
try generally against the Introduction OF
cholera, which is reported to be epidemic
at Honolulu, thirty. two out of the thirty
nine cases reported among the natives
since August having proved fatal.
The general sentiment among the gentle
men present, who represent both the State
and Federal Governments, was that there
was absolutely no danger TO be expected
from the Australia, which arrived from
Honolulu few days ago, and as showing
that this opinion was founded on substan-
tial grounds the two following letters were
reaQ:
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH,
HONOLULU, H. L, September D, 1891
We hereby certify that neither the customs
officers nor any other persons have had access
to the steamship Australia, her officers or
crew, since her arrival in the port of Honolulu,
September 2, 1895; that such duties as were
necessary on the dock have been performed
under the surveillance OF the Board of Health,
and that the construction OF the dock is such
as to leave no dou bit of the com pleteness OF the
quarantine to which the steamer has been sub
lected by said board while import
]. B. CASTLE,
Collector-Generalo of Customs
WILLIAM o. SMITH,
President Board of death.
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH,
HONOLULU, II. J., September ., 1S95.t
To Whom 1t May Concern: This is to certify
Francisco by the steamship Australia were
this day thoroughly fumigated and disinfected
previous to going on board.
Executive officer Board OF Health.
Notwith standing the good showing made
by the Australia, it is not the intention of
the authorities to take any chances in the
future, as showing in the following COM
munication:
OFFICE OF THE COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS
PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO, Sept ID, 1898. !
Hon. W. d. English, SHrueyor-SIR: Now that
this Office has official information that cholera
exists in Honolulu, as is evidenced by the bill
of health presented on entry of the steamer
Australia, deem it proper to call your atten-
ton to the rules and regulations presented by
the Secretary of the Treasury, under the
various acts OF Congress, Tor the treatment OF
the baggage of passengers on vessels arriving
from infected ports.
To the end that you may know If cholera or
other contagious diseases exist at any foreign
port, you are requested to direct the boarding
officer to examine the consular bill OF
health OF each vessel arriving at the same
time that he inspects the manifesto, and to re-
port Immediately TO you if such bill of health
shows any cholera, smallpox or other lnfec-
tious or contagious disease to exist at her port
of clearance. If such is the case you will cause
her luggage to be thoroughly examined to see
If it bears the proper labels indicating inspec-
ton or disinfection at the port OF departure.
If the luggage does not bear these labels 1t will
be held by you and sent to the quarantine STA
ton at Angel Island and delivered to DR.. Pack
ham, in charge, for the purpose OF being disin-
fected as required by law.
In view of the reported virulence of the dis
ease at Honolulu and the possibility of its
existing at other ports, it behcoves the office
to take every precaution to prevent the intro
ductiOn to this country, and l trust you viii
impress upon the officers in your division the
necessity of great vigilance and a strict COM
pliance with the regulations OF the Treasury
Department. Respectfully yours,
E. B. JEROME, Special Deputy Collector.
The principal object of the conference
yesterday was to arrange plans for the
most efficient cooperation between the
State and Federal authorities. SO that in
stead of the friction that has existed in the
past there would be perfect harmony and
concert of action looking to the best inter
ests of the public welfare.
1t was agreed that the health authori-
ties, both State and Federal, should take
every precaution to prevent any Infectious
disease from being brought into the City;
that the customs authorities should assist
in every way possible in enforcing the
quarantine regulations, and that the quar-
CHI foo rot
of the customs inspectors in protecting
the revenue interests OF the Government
so long as incoming vessels are subject to
quarantine regulations.
Among other things it was decided that
customs officers when boarding vessels in
company with the Quarantine Officer will,
if there is any contagious disease on board,
not be allowed to leave the vessel, but will
go with the vessel to the quarantine sta
ton and there be inspected before return
ing to the City.
Every vessel that enters the harbor from
a suspected port will be required to anchor
within the quarantine limit and thor
ough inspection will be made, followed, if
necessary, by fumigation. The vessels
will be boarded by both the State and
Federal officials, arrangements having
been made by which Lieutenant Rogers
will convey DIR. Packham from the Angel
Island quarantine station to incoming
vessels.
No person will be permitted to have
communication with such vessels until
thorough inspection has been made and
there is no doubt that contagious disease
does not exist thereon. If disease is found
the usual quarantine regulations will be
enforced. DIR. Packham is sprepared for
any outbreak, but it is not believed that
his services and resources will be called
into requisition. The usual period of
quarantine for cholera is five days, as its
germs do not live longer than that time,
while for smallpox it is fifteen days.
In thus anticipating every possible con-
tiDgency relative to the danger from in
fictitious or contagious diseases the officials
are confident that their introduction into
this port will be made impossible.
A LITTLE MARITIME LAW.