The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-10
DR.. Rosenau of the Government
Service Awaiting Their
Arrival.
WAS SENT FOR POST HASTE
Bacteria Imported From Germany for
the Benefit of San Francisco
Physicians.

The germ of the dread cholera has at last
effected landing on the shores of Amer
lea, but so shackled that there is little
chance that it will spread abroad to the
millions who have thus far been success
fully protected.
While the devastating disease was rag
ing in China, Japan and the nearer terri
tory of Hawaii, great alarm was felt in
Washington for the safety OF San Fran
cisco, and through it of course the entire
country. The medical authorities at the
National capital did everything in their
power to aid the local guardians OF the
public health and the ports of the Orient
and Sandwich Islands were declared in
fected and vessels from them were sub
iected to rigid quarantine.
Not satisfied with these precautions the
department determined to send one of its
most advanced experts to see personally
that all possible precautions were taken.
DR.. Milton Rosenau of the United Statee
Marine Hospital service was at that
time on duty at Eagle Pass, Texas, guard
ing and ministering to large party OF
European immigrants among whom small
pox had broken out in its most vlrulent
form short time before.
A telegram telling him to hurry at once
to San Francisco was sent and within a
few days he was here and ready to combat
the disease should it make a landing
through infection from the Orient. AS it
happened the precautions taken were suf-
fcient to avert the evil.
The service, however, determined to look
ahead to future epidemics abroad which
might spread to America, and also to take
such precautions as would be calculated to
prevent widespread contagion.
DR.. Rosenau was ordered to remain here
until germs of cholera, yellow fever and
smallpox could be forwarded to him, and
10 then conduct such experiments and
operations as would be necessary.
The medical authorities at Berlin, Ger
many, where the germs of all of the ter
Tible diseases known to medical science
are kept for experimental purposes, were
requested to furnish the necessary
bacteria, while the physician was directed
to prepare the necessary instruments to
carry on his Investigations. Since then
he has been located at the quarantine
station on Angel Island, where an excel
lent laboratory is Kept, awaiting the ar
rival of the bacteria and getting his in
cubators ready.
contagious diseases is peculiar, though not
differing materially from the mode of pro-
cedure in Matching eggs by artificial
means. Placed in the incubator and sub
iected to the necessary degree of heat the
germs increase and multiply to an aston
ishing degree, and within eighteen hours in
the case of cholera a colony of live, malig-
nant germs, ready for business if allowed
to escape to the persons OF those about, is
developed.
These, when examined under the micro
scope, show distinctive features that are
easily recognized by the scientific eye, and
once physician has given them thor
ough inspection through a powerful glass
he can never be mistaken should they
again come under his observation.
1t is as much for the purpose of assist
ing the medical profession Of this City as
any other that the bacteria are being i'm
ported, and when, under DR.. Rosenau s
skllltul supervision, the germs are propa-
gated, physicians and those connected
with the quarantine department of this
City will be invited to inspect the danger
Gus germs and gain such information as
can be given by the Government medico.
In case OF future epidemics the facts he
will promulgate will be invaluable, for the
diseases which, after gaining a foothold,
sometimes claim thousands of victims, are
often mistaken for minor ailments, and
their true character is not discovered until
too late to stay their march. Expert
ments to determine the best methods of
com batting the disease will also be con-
Quoted.
The utmost care has been taken to trans
nit the germs, which are expected to ar
rive within day or two, in such manner
as to insure against injection to the mail
matter with which it travels. They will ar
rive in alright packages inclosed in a
Theoretically sealed casket, and the great
est care will be taken 10 prevent the germs
from scattering when the case is opened
Probably within twenty-four hours after
their arrival the germs will be colonized
and ready for the inspection of those who
are entitled to view them.
DR.. Roseneu, the hospital service physi-
clan, is considered one of the brightest
men In the Government medical service
and has made contagious diseases a life.
time study. Since his arrival here he has
been entertained and consulted by the
leading psychologists of the City. He
recently delivered an address on sim.
munlty and ImmuniZation" before the
San Francisco Microsconioal Soniaty uhos.