The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-07


ought not to get frightened. This one
case was taken charge of in time, and
such scientific fum;gation has been ap-
piled as to warrant the hope that we
shall promptly and effectively stamp out
the disease. We have made arrange
ments to issue tonight Il circular to
every practicing physician in New Or
leans, commanding him promptly to re-
port to the board of health every suspi-
cious case of fever. We have made ar
rangements to act promptly in every
case, and if unfortunately. other cases
of yellow fever shall be brought to our
attention, we shall without delay notify
the world through the Associated Press
of the facts
There have been at least four cases
in addition to the Gelpi one, of people
suffering from fever, who have come to
New Orleans from Ocean Springs. Ten of
the most prominent physicians of New
Orleans have been pressed into service
and we give the closest attention to each
of these cases. In every instance bacteri-
ological eXam:na tons showed the exist
ence only of malarial germs and no evil
dence of yellow fever microbes. | am well
within the truth, therefore. when | say
the Gelpi case is the only one of yellow
fever in New Orleans up to the present
time, and / am sure we have the city
fully covered"
| During the week ending August / re-
ports reached President Oliphant of the
board of health of the prevalence of SICK
ness at Ocean Springs the nature of
which was in doubt DIR. Oliphant, with
Of tbxA "a Of
there and learned that there had been up
TO that time some 400 cases. OF these
there had been only one or two deaths,
but in two cases the symptoms were so
suspicious as to give rise to the belief
that the fever was of n virulent type.
DR. Olphant then brought on Drs.
ICZarnowski and Salomon. of the board of
experts, and DIR. Patton. secretary of the
board of health, all experienced in the
treatment of yellow fever They visited
eleven patients and after Il careful and
Thorough examination unanimously
reached the conclusion that the fever
was dengue The physicians agreed that
none of the cases up to then showed any
symptoms that would even lead to a sus-
picion of more serious disease.
All these physicians have had expert
ence in yellow fever epidemics and are
eminent in their profession and their
Unanimous conclusion seems to leave no
doubt that at the period spoken of the
fever was of a mild type. During the
Hast week, however, yellow fever in a vi
rulent form appeared at Ocean Springs.
The quick death of DIR. Bemiss aroused
suspicion, and by Saturday the boards of
Health of Mobile and New Orleans were
lin possession of information that justified
the fear that yellow fever had slipped in
Ito Ocean Springs. Official representatives
lof the boards of health of Mississippi,
Louisiana and Alabama and the repre-
sentatives of the Marine Hospital service
went on Saturday to Ocean Springs.
They were at once convinced that their
gloomy apprehensions were not unfound-
ed
/ Careful autopsies were made, but aside
from DR.. Saunders, o. Mobile the ex-
perts were disposed to await a further
and complete autopsy to remove all doubt
before making official announcement to
scourge Last night another patient, a
woman, died, and this morning an au-
topsy was held. It's result was to dispel
all previous doubts.
Acting President Walmsley OF the
Louisiana board said this evening:
"There was never a doubt about the
first diagnosis. At that time beyond ques-
ton dengue fever only prevailed. Out Of
six hundred cases the death rate was
only one-half of one per cent In epidemics
of yellow fever the death rate is inf
ntely heavier In the past few days,
L baa ,{A
Ocean Springs. That is proven both by
the rapid death rate and by the thorough
diagnosis which has been made by physi-
clans.
mo earlier announcement could have
been made for the reason that prior to the
last few days there was no yellow fever
existent in Ocean Springs"
/ DR.. Walmsley was disposed to hold the
representatives OF the Marine Hospital
service and the Mississippi board OF
health to some responsibility for the inva-
sion. He said that the fever had unques-
ltionably been communicated by the con-
slant intercourse Of Ocean Springs with
Ship Island, where there is United
States government quarantine station.
Ships from all portions OF the world
touch there. A large number from tropi-
cal countries where yellow fever is in
ldigenous to the soil, report there weekly.
There has been steady and uninterrupted
communication between the island and
these coast towns, and DIR. Walmsley has
little or no doubt that this has been the
means of bringing into Ocean Springs the
deadly germs of yellow fever If rigid
quarantine had been maintained be-
tween the island and shore, he believes
THAT Ocean Springs would now have little
else to contend with than dengue fever.
Immunity from epidemic, however, has
had tendency to breed carelessness. and
the result is to be found in the calamity
that has befallen the popular southern
resort.
YELLOW FEVER CONFIRMED.
Washington, ID. c., Sept 6.-The lat
est information received by Mr.. Bail
bache, acting Surgeon-General of the
Marine Hospital service, is to the effect