The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-21
FEVER AT CAIRO.
The Plague is Slowly But Sure
ly Creeping NorthWard.
But Two Cases So Far in the
Illinois Town.
SPREADING RAPIDLY.
New Orleans Reports Many New
Cases Daily.
Germs Conveyed in a Letter
From Ocean Springs.

Washington, Sept. 21.-Information
has been received at the marine hospi-
tai from DR.. John Guiteras. that two
cases of yellow fever at Cairo, Ill, have
been isolated and every precaution pos
sible taken to prevent spread. He says
that the cases are very mild and have
caused little alarm in Cairo. Instruc-
tions have been given for the disinfec-
tion of the vessels from which the two
patients were taken. Surgeon General
Wyman has been informed that yes
sci has been anchored in the river near
Cairo by the Illinois board of health for
the purpose of inspecting vessels from
New Orleans.
Surgeon Carter has arranged train
inspection of all vessels leaving New
Orleans.
Cairo, Ill, Sept. 21-The two cases in
the marine hospital pronounced yellow
fever in mild form by DR.. Guiteras,
and the hospital surgeon, are improving
and one of them is convalescent.
New Orleans, Sept. Z1.-The largest
number of cases reported on any day
since yellow fever first made its ap-
pearance in New Orleans. two weeks
ago was recorded on the books of the
board of health last night, although not
a single case had proven fatal during
the day. There were Is cases in all, in
Guiding nine by DR.. Joseph Holt, all of
the latter having been duly tagged and
Those reported are:
Sophie Ricard, 1896 Date street
E. c. Ray, Lucas Ray, Catherine
Ray, and Clinton S. Dixon, all of 2912
Prytanna street.
Andrew Schooner, S4s Pordras street.
James c. Simpson, Pitts street, corner
Leontine.
Lizzie Nussbaum, 1900 Galve street.
Charles NJ Gerr, Frank NJ. Gerr, S31
Bourbon street.
Miss L. A. Phelps, 1114 Soniat street.
w. A. Mills, 1864 Patton street
Maggie Custer, 1920 Gaiennie street.
Mrs. B. Lyons, 1114 Soniat street
Bishop Helman, 337 Barronne street.
Hazel Fisher, Millandon and Pearl
streets.
Loeb Lieberman, Touroin infirmary.
Salvador Casinor, 1923 Charles street.
The most sensational incident of the
day was the announcement from Dr.
Joseph Holt, ex-president of the board
of health that he had discovered nine
cases among his practice, the first of
which had come under his observation
on FRIDAY. DIR. Holt wrote a letter to
President Olliphant and entrusted it to
the mail, and his letter reached the
board of health office yesterday But
fearing that the letter might not reach
its destination in time, DR.. Holt sent a
special messenger to the residence of
Dr. OIliphant, giving this informa ton.
At the board of health office when the
Holt letter was opened, there was first
incredulity and then criticism of DR..
Holt because he adopted what the
board considered an irregular way in
which to make his cases known
Immediately upon the receipt of the
letter, the machinery of the board was
placed in motion and inspectors were
sent to the various houses where DR..
Holt reported sickness to exist The
places were all disinfected and guards
placed in front of them, but the board
said it had very little hope of the eff
fectiveness of these measures since all
those who desired were given an oppor-
tunity to- escape from the infected house
One of the houses, where four of the
patients are, is a fashionable boarding
house.
The first case to develop in this house
was at 2:30 Saturday morning, and the
other cases in the same place were
noted on Saturday afternoon. Those liv-
ing in the house, of whom there were
quite number, knew of the existence
of the fever early Saturday morning
and therefore got away as fast as pos
sible.
Some of them moved their baggage
on Saturday and others on Sunday,
while it is said some of the boarderS
took train and went to Atlanta. Short
ly after the board of health was made
acquainted with the contents of the let
ter of DR.. Holt, it held an executive con-
ference and decided Immediately for
board of experts to visit the nine
cases of DR.. Holt and decide whether
or not they were suffering with yellow
fever.
The experts attempted to carry out
the instructions of the board, but when
they proceeded to the first house, DR..
Holt entered an objection and refused
them permission to examine any of his
patients, taking the position that he
had properly diagnosticated them, and
that being an expert himself, there was
no occasion for further investigation.
After the experts made their report,
the board of health went into executive
session and discussed at length what
was termed DR.. Hollis violation of a
hi ,, h
passed and which provides for the pun
ishment by fine or Imprisonment of any
physician who might fail to report a
positive or suspicious case of yellow
fever in a period like the present one.
The question of the immediate prosecu-
tion of DR.. Holt came up and was con-
sidered, but the board finally decided to
summon DR.. Holt to appear before them
and explain his alleged negligence in
the premises.
The board of health has decided to
send an appeal to Gov. Foster, asking
him to supply the board with $3.50
from the surplus fund of the state to
assist the board in prosecuting its fight
against the fever.
The governor was also asked to issue
orders for tents and other camp supplies
to be used at the camp of detention.
There were no new cases at Ocean
Springs up to this evening, and several
of the old patients were discharged.
Miss May Chinn died at Biloxi
All mails are now being sent from the
infected districts with much regu-
larity as possible with the reduced rail-
road facilities.
DR.. Holt, in his report to the board
of health, stated that all his cases were
traceable to Ocean Springs. One of
them contracted the fever through
letter written by a woman in a room
where her child was sick at ocean
Springs.
The public circulating library at New
Orleans has been closed at the suggeS-
ton of the board of health.
Two private schools that have refused
to close in accordance with the suggeS-
ton of the board of health, will be pro-
ceeded against legally.
Mobile Ala Sept. 21.-Sunday, after
the hot spell was broken by a heavy
rain, which served also to wash out the