The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-21
Largest Annhsr Of New Cases In New
Orleans Reported In One Day.
Or. HOLT THE SUBJECT OF A SENSATION
Guilty or orIrreguisrIties for which HIe
Nay ne Prosecuted = Authorities
Have Dimcnlty In Enforcing
Quarantine Rain and Cooler
Weather Make Mobile Hopeful,
New orleans. September 20. 1897,

OF health this evening at O'clock al
Ihough at that hour not a single ca se
had proven fatal during the day. There
Were eighteen cases in all, Including nine
by DR., Joseph Holt, all Of the latter hav
ing been duly tagged and nut under
quarantine regulations.
Ihe most sensational Incident of tho
day was the announcement from DIR. 10
SePn doit to the board OF health that he
naS discovered nine cases among his
practice, the first Of which had come un-
der his observation on Friday. DR., Holt
wrote a letter to President Olliphant.
and entrustel 1 1t to the mall, and his let.
ter reached the board of health on;ca
ahis morning. But fearing that the let
Ner might not reach its destination in
time, Dr. Holt sent special messenger
10 the residence Of DR.. Olliphant, of the
BOARD. at IL O'Clock last night. giving the
information The public, however did
mot learn Of the Holt cases until shortly
before noon to-day. At the board OF
health Office when the Holt letter was
opened there was at first incredulity and
ihen criticism Of DR.. Holt because he
MAD adopted what the board considered
an Irregular way In which TO make
known his cases.
Immediately upon the receipt Of the
letter, the machinery OF the board was
placed in motion and inspectors were
IL.
9olt reported sickness to exist The
piaces We're all disinfected and guards
placed In front OF them, but the boa rd
SAID 1t had very little hone of the eff
1ectlVeneEs of these measures since all
those who desired Were given the oppor-
tunlty TO escape from the infected
houses pne of the houses where four
or the patients are is a IA shonable
poard1ng house The first case to deve.op
IN TINS house was at 230 Saturday nom
ing: and the other cases in the same
Ciace were noted on Saturday afternoon
Ihose living In the house. of whom there
We're quite number knew of the exis-
tence of fever early Saturday mornIngE
and, therefore, got out as fast as possi-
ble. Some of them moved their ba gga Ee
on Saturday and others on Sunday,
while 1t Is said that some of the boarolcrs
book train and went TO Atlanta
Shortly after the board of health was
made acquainted with the contents of
the letter of DIR. Holt, it held an cxec,,-
tive conference and decided TO immr-
uiately order its board of experts to
visit the nine cases of Dr.. Holt and de-
eide whether or not they were suffering
with yellow fever. The experts attempt
ed to carry out the Instructions Of the
board this afternoon but when they pro-
ceeded to the first house DIR. Holt enter
ed an objection and refused them per-
taking the position that he had properly
diagnosed them. and that being an en-
pert himself there was no occasion for
further investigation. After the eX-
perts made their report the board of
health went into executive session and
discussed at length what was termed Dr.
Eolt's violation of the city ordinance
which he himself had passed, and which
provides for the punishment by fine or
imprisonment I'm
might fail to report a positive Or Sus-
piciouS ca se of yellow fever in 4 pcripd
like the present. The question of the
Immediate prosecution of DR.. Holt came
up and was considered. but the board
finally decided to summon Dr.. Holt TO
appear before them and explain to-mor-
row his alleged negligence In the prem
ises
The result Of the meeting Tomorrow
will decide whether or not there shall
be q prosecution Of DR. Holt in the
courts.Dr. Holt Is one of the most emin-
ent physicians in this city. was for sew
eraI yeas president of the board of
health, Is 4 yellow fever expert and has
an international reputation by reason
Of his Invention of the quarantine sya-
tenn at the mouth of the river which
has been pronounced the finest in the
world. and which has been CAPPED by all
the leading cities OF this and other coun- !
tTies.
The brightest feature of the day was
that there were no deaths. Tonight
most of the patients In the city were re-
ported as doing well. Trouble In two
cases was reported In the effort to en-
force quarantine regulations. This
morning down town, one man managed
to escape from the infected quarter and
was chased and arrested, and after be-
ing arraigned in court and frightening |
everybody present, was sent back to his
home. This evening report was recciv- |
ed that q man had appeared in front of
one OF the infected houses up town arm
ed with a shot gun. and had torn down
the yellow fever flag and had taken
possession of the promises. A squad of
polIce was sent TO the scene.
At its session this afternoon the Board |
of Health decided to send an appeal to |
Governor Foster, asking him to supply |
the board s25.G00 from the surplus fumd
of the State to assist In prosecuting the
fight against the fever
The Governor was also asked to Issue |
orders for tents and other camp sup |
plies, to be used at the camp Of de- |
tention. To-day. otter conference Of |
the health and city authorities, the Oak |
land Driving Park was selected as the |
site for the camp of detention. IT Is |
situated In tho rear Of the city and was |
tclidered to the officials by the Crescent |
4 City Jockey ClMb A large force Of |
men wae Immediately put to work and |
slt y expected that by tomorrow the !