The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-13
DISCUSSED CHOLERA.
Quarantine Points to Be Strengthened
by Federal and Local Authorities
San FraDciscO.

at san francIsco.
The members of the Board of Health
and DR.. John Godfrey and DR.. Charles
Gardener of the United States Marine Ser
vice, met informally yesterday to discuss
the means of handling quarantine in case of
threatened cholera. At the hour of the
meeting the news had not reached them
of the arrival of the steamer Australia, so
the latest phases of the situation were not
considered
Some weeks ago, just after the news of
the Oriental epidemic reached here, it was
suggested that possibly there might be
conflict or rather slight friction, in the
methods of the Federal and State authori-
ties in quarantining vessels. Mayor Sutro,
DR.. Godfrey of the marine service and DR..
Morse thought it would be advisable for all
parties interested in the subject to meet
and in way prepare for harmonious ac-
ton in the event that cholera should
threaten the City. Hence the meeting yes
terday.
DIR. Godfrey opened the informal discus
sion by telling how the Federal authorities
regarded quarantine matters. He quoted
number of the rules and regulations laid
down by Congress and by his superiors.
"There is no need of a scare here" he
said. I'VE are very favorably situated to
guard against cholera or anything else in
that Lille. The Federal Government has Off
GERS who continually and vigilantly watch
the National health. Our Surgeon-General
looks after the quarantine Jaws and the
methods OF handling quarantined vessels
in all the cities of the United States. AT
the first sign of danger he wires the threat
ened point and demands of his subordi-
mates what preparations have been made
to meet the threatened danger. For in
stance, on the last rumor of cholera here,
he sent me a number of dispatches de-
handing full information of the quaran-
tine situation and the method used here in
examining vessels. / reported that the
method was very efficient. When the next
vessel is examined 1 shall order man on
board to accompany Quarantine Officer
Chalmers and note all the details of the
examination"
Mayor Sutro, on behalf of the Board of
Health. promised that everything should
be done that would bring the Government
and the local authorities to closer and
better understanding in handling quaran-
tine matters.
from the rules of the quarantine service
enacted by Congress. Mayor Sutro sug-
gested that the rules of the local Board of
Health on the same points be worded in
the same way, so that there should not be
the slightest possibility Of conflict.
Later on DR.. Williamson offered a reso-
luton that the Board of Health should do
everything possible to cooperate with the
Federal authorities in the matter.
As the physicians in the marine service
have orders to cooperate with the State
Board of Health in case of an epidemic
every obstacle is now removed for COM
plete and harmonious work between the
local and Federal medical authorities.
Both parties will go over the Federal
and local rules and regulations governing
vessels and persons in quarantine and see
that they are framed to work in harmony.
At the very first opportunity the marine
service physicians will be shown all the
ms and outs of the local authorities in
handling quarantine The result will be
telegraphed to Washington headquarters,
and any change then suggested will be
readily adopted.
Notices were sent out last evening to the
members of the Board of Health calling
for special meeting, to be held this morn
ing at 1880 o'clock. to consider the ques-
ton of quarantine regulations.
DR.. Morse said last evening that the
members of the board considered the mat
ter one of the gravest Importance, and that
no stone would be left unturned to stop
the march of the disease that it may not
effect landing on American territory.