The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-05
AGAINST YELLOW FEVER
STATE OF INDIANA TO DECLARE A
QUARANTINE AGAINST THE SOUTH.
Health Officers Believe There Is Fever
in Louisville and st. LOuis-COn-
tingent Fund Drawn Upon.

There was a meeting yesterday morning
of the State and City Boards of Health
to discuss the yellow fever situation. 1t
was decided that the authorities ought to
be prepared for any emergency, as there is
really some danger of the fever reaching
this State and city. The matter was left
with the State Board and it is probable
that this board will follow the course now
being pursued by Cincinnati, which is to
inspect all persons coming into the State
from the South and quarantining all who
cannot give a satisfactory account or them
selves show health certificates.
The two boards, through Or. Hufty, sec
rotary of the State Board, sent q cormunl-
cation to Governor Mount laying the Sit
nation before him and asking that money
be provided for the expense or such a
quarantine and inspection in case 1t became
necessary Governor Mount later sent the
following letter to Secretary Hurry:
1t having been shown to my satisfaction
that an emergency exists, and tnat steps
should be Immediately taken by the proper
authorities TO guard against the lntroduc-
ton into this State of a contagious disease
commonly termed yellow fever, and act
ing upon recommendations made by o1fl-
Gals of the State Board of Health and OF
the city of Indianapolis, / hereby authorize
you to draw orders on the auditor of state
for any sum or sums not exceeding $i,UOO,
the same to be expended under the direc-
ton of the State Board of Health for sucn
precautionary and preventive measures as
may be deemed necessary and proper for
the protection of the public health and the
welfare of our people.
This action is taken in accordance with
the provisions of an act of the General AS
sembly approved March 4, 1898. for the pur-
pose of preventing the introducuon and
spread of contagious and infectious diseases
within this State.
In speaking Of the matter later in the
day Or. Hurry said: "There is danger of
the fever reaching this State. 1t is increas-
ing in the South and thousands of refugees
are daily coming into or through the State.
The conditions are not perfect for the
spread OF the disease in this State, but they
are better than ever before. The weather
is warm and dry. Humidity is necessary for
a perfection condition and the drought may
be our salvation. But 1t may be necessary
for some decisive work and we want to be
prepared to meet the emergency should it
arise"
Dr. Hurry went on to recite the circum-
stance of 1888, when the fever got into
Philadelphia and killed four thousand peo-
shire. He said there were already two cases
in Louisville, just across the Indiana line.
These two cases are known, but he thinks
there are many cases which are not re-
ported. While not seriously alarmed, DIR.
Hurry is DESTROYS that all precautionary
steps be taken that may seem advisable.
Dr. Jameson, president of the State Board
OF Health, when asked last night what
positive knowledge he had Of yellow fever
in Louisville, said: My information is Sec
ond hand. coming through Dr. WithrOw of
Cincinnati 1t has been very generally
rumored that there is yellow fever in Louis
Vile and in st. Louis, and Dr. Withrow says
there is
The state board win meet this morning to
perfect plans Tor the quarantine. Against St.
Louis and Southern cities it is very simple
matter OF inspecting trains and demanding
health certncates Of passengers, but with
Louisville 1t IS a bigger problem, for New
Albany and Jeffersonville are simply sub
urbs of Louisville, and thousands of people
pass between them daily the dinkey''
trains, street cars and ON foot. we shall
take that matter up in the morning" said
DR.. Jameson, land I presume we shall en-
ploy as many guards as may be necessary
to enforce the quarantine. ~ quarantine is
Of no value unless it is thoroughly enforced.
Whether there exists yellow fever in Louis
VILE or not at present I feel very sure that
without quarantine. II this hot weather con-
tinues, they will have il not only at Louis
| vile, but at Indianapolis. not in epidemic
| form, OF course, but enough to paralyze
l things