Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-21
A NEGLIGENT DOCTOR
HE CAUSES INDIGNATION AND
ALARM AT NEW ORLEANS.
AUTUMN WEATHER AT MOBILE
A Much Better Feeiing-The Yellow
Fever Regarded as Under Control,
and Normal Conditions Expected
ny October 18th.

NEW ORLEANS. September 20.-The
! largest number OF cases reported on any
| day since yellow fever first made its APP
| pearance in New Orleans, two weeks
| ago was recorded on the books Of the
| Board of Health this evening at 6
o'clock. although at that hour not n
single case had proven fatal during the
day. There were eighteen cases in al,
including nine reported by DR.. Joseph
Holt. all OF the latter having been duly
| tagged and put under quarantine resu-
latlons. Those reported to-day are
Sophie Ricard, 1896 Date street; E. c.
Ray. Lucius Ray, Catherine Ray, and
Clinton s. Dixon. all al 2gl2 Prytania
street; Andrew Schooner. SIS Poydras
street; James c. Simpson. Pitt street
Lizzie Nusbaun. 1900 Galvo street;
Charles NJ. Kerr and Frank NJ Kerr, S3l
Bourbon street; Miss LaPheps ia
soniat street; w. A. Mills. 1854 Patton
| street; Maggie Custer. 1920 Gaienne
street; Mrs. Blyons. l1li Soniat street;
Bishop Helman. S37 Baronne street:
Hazel Fisher, MIllandon and Pearl
streets; Loeb Leberman, Touro Infrmary;
Salvatore Casinor. 1923 Charles street.
The most sensational incident OF the
day was the announcement from Dr.
Joseph Holt TO the Board Of Health that
he had discovered nine cases among his
practice, the first Of which had come
under his observation on Friday. Dr
Holt wrote letter to President Oliphant
and entrusted it to the mails. and his
letter reached the Board Of Health this
morning. but fearing that the letter
might not reach its destination in time
Dr. Holt sent a special messenger 10
the residence of Dr. Oiphant. OF the
Board of Health at 9 o'clock last night
with this information.
CRITICISM OF HOLT.
At the Board of Health office. when
the Holt letter was opened. there was
first incredulity, and then criticism of
Dr. Holt because he had communicated
I'm an irregular way in making known
the cases. Inspectors were sent 10 the
varicus houses where DIR. Holt had re-
ported sickness. The places were all
disinfected. and guards placed i'm front
of them. One Of the houses, where four
OF the patients are Is a clearinghouse
The first case to develop in this house
was at 2:3O Sunday morning, and the
other patients i'm the same house were
not attacked until Sunday afternoon.
The boarders on learning lof the Illness
got out as fast as possible. some of them
taking a train to Atlanta.
hA ar1 1a
puainted with the contents of DR. Holt's
letter il held conference. and appoint
ed nine experts 10 visit cases suspected
of being yellow-fever. The experts at
tempted to carry out the instructions OF
the board this evening, but when they
proceeded TO the first house DR.. Holt
entered an objection. and refused them
permission to examine any Of his pa
tients. taking the position that he had
properly diagnosed them.
After the experts had made their re-
port the Board of Health went into
executive session. and discussed at length
what was termed DR.. Hot's violation OF
a city ordinance. which he himself had
passed and which provides for the pun
ishment by fine or imprisonment OF any
physician who fails to report suspicious
case OF yellow-fever in period like the
present.
The question OF immediate prosecution
of DR.. Holt came up and was considered,
but the board finally decided to sum-
mon DIR. Holt TO appear before them. and
explain tomorrow his alleged negligence.
The result Of the meeting tomorrow will
decide whether or not there shall be
prosecution Of Dr. Holt I'm the courts.
Dr. Holt Is one Of the most eminent
physicians i'm this city. was for several
wears president of the Board OF Health,
is a yellow-fever expert. and has an In
tcrnational reputation by reason Of his
invention of the quarantine system AT
the mouth of the river. which has been
pronounced the finest i'm the world. and
which has been copied by all the leading
cities of this and other countries.
NO DEATHS.
The brightest feature OF the day was
that there were no deaths. The patients
i'm the city are reported as doing well.
There was trouble i'm two cases in the
effort 20 enforce quarantine regulations.
Down town this morning one man
managed to escape from the infected
quarter. was chased and arrested. and
after being arraigned in court, frightening
everybody present. was sent back TO his
home. This evening a report was re-
ceiyed that a man had appeared In front
OF one of the infected houses uptown
armed with shotgun. and had torn down
the yelIow-fever flag and taken posses
sion OF the premises. Police were sent
to the scene
APPEAL FOR $4,000.
At its session this evening the Board
of Health decided to send an appeal TO
Governor Foster, asking him to supply
The board with $4,000 from the surplus
fund of the State Treasury towards
prosecuting the fight against yellow
fever.
The government has been asked for
tents and other camp supplies, TO be
used at a camp of detention.
To-day. after a conference OF the
health and city authorities. the Oakland
Driving Park was selected as the site
for the camp of detention. Ii Is situ-
ated In the rear OF the city, and was
rendered to the officials by the Cres-
cent CITY Jockey Club. A large force
Of men was Immediately put 10 work.
and IL Is said that by tomorrow the
camp will be ready TO receive 200 or 800
people from the Italian quarter. Any
people living in infected houses may go
10 this camp and be cared for.
Governor Foster this evening instruct
ed General Glynn 10 provide 100 tents.
blarkets. cots, and other necessary