The San Francisco call., 1897-07-14
AGAINST CONSU UMPTIVES.
The State Board of Trade to
Shut Out Tuber-
culosis.
1t Advocates a Strict Quarantine
Against All Those So
Afflicted.

The directors of the State Board O.
Trade have decided that measures should
be taken 10 keep people afflicted with con
sumption out of the State. This decision
was the result of long discussion held al
the regular meeting OF the board yester.
dav afternoon.
The question arose as to the effect on
the country of such large plumbers of per-
sons from all parts Of the world com lne
INFO this State for the purpo e of getting
rid OF tuberculosis; in other words, max.
ing California big hospital for the cure
of consumption. 1t was shown that al
the health resorts of Europe. where large
mum bers OF consumptiye patients congre-
gate. that the very atmosphere is impreg-
mated with the germs of disease and 10
that extent that these same health resorts
are worse than hospitals. In fact, no
healthy person can live at those places
and escape the contagion.
In the line OF the discussion it was
shown that hundreds, and in fact thou
sands. of iDvalids flock INTO this State for
the benefit OF their health, and that it
stands 10 reason that it is only matter
of time before the most healthful sections
of California will be hotbeds of tubercu-
losis II something is not done to put a
agreed that the only remedy against this
undeSired inflow OF consum ptives is to es-
Ia blish strict Quarantin against all who
are thus sff cted. The board will take
the initiative in this movement, and it
hopes that all parts of the State will sist
The position taken by State Board
OF Trade with reference to extending fro m
the State persons who are atf1 cted with
consumption was viewed with consider.
able interest by several gentlemen with
whom the subject was discussed last even
ing. DR.. II. ii. Hart of the Board of
Health stated that the facts set forth rela-
tive TO the condition OF the health resorts
OF Europe are correct.
He SAID: at is a well-known fact that
the constant congrega ton OF consump,ive
invalids in those places has made such
communities unfit for habitaton by
healthy people. This IS the case with
dozen European health resorts. These
unfortunates are constantly expectorating
germs of disease, and this, drying, rises
in the dust and floats in the air that the
whole community breathes.
''As might be expected the germs take
hold, and we soon lind that hitherto
healthy people have become afflicted with
the same disease. The health OF the peo.
pie of this state is a matter of ne small
consid GRAFTON. Physicians in the southern
part OF this State have long reco nized
the danger, and mucl, has b en written
and said upon the subject.
"Consum ption is contagious disease,
and where the germs OF this disease are
flying in the air, there is great danger to
the whole community. l am in favor, moi
only of isolating consumptive patients,
but of legally prohibiting their marry
ing. The danger to the people OF the
State is indeed great"
DR.. ]. NJ. Williamson, also of the Board
of Health, is of similar opinion. He
referred to number of medical works in
alton in grave manner, and these showed
that the situation, as discussed by the
member Of the State Board of Trade, was
not magnifed in the least. He agreed
that some hing should be done to prevent
the spread OF the disease.
The legal status OF the case is puzzling.
When asked if the State has right to
es a bllsh a quarantine against consum D.
tiyes and prevent their crossing the bor-
der, Henry E. Highton, the lawyer, said
that this Is a matter of great doubt.
He says he believes the State has the
power to compel people thus afflicted to
keep apart from healthful com munities,
In fact live by themselves, but he is in
serious doubt If California can prohibit
any citizen of the United States from en-.
tering into or living IN any State his fancy
NAV select The idea OF setting apart GER
tain parts OF the State for consumptives
might be all right, but 10 prohibit their
crossing our borders is out OF the question.
State Board OF Trade.