The morning times., 1897-02-07

Lower Quarantine, which was used
when there was fear of the yellow fever
from Southern ports, and consisted of an
anchored hulk, was given up about five
years ago. 1t could be rc-established,
however, at a moments notice. Fire
Island, the patch OF ground that sticks its
head above the waves 6ff the south coast of
Long Island, and was bought in haste by
the State in 1892, for the housing of pas
sengers detained at the height of the
cholera scare OF that year, has been sold.
Exclusive OF the force employed on the
two islands in the lower bay, which varies
according 10 circumstances, about twenty
men are kept busy by the New York qua ran
tire board. At the head is the health
officer of the port, who is appOintee
OF the governor. The health officer APP
points two deputies to aid him. At all
times every vessel arriving is boarded by
the doctor, or one of his assistants to whom
clean bill Of health must be submitted
before the ship car proceed on its way up
10 the harbur. Every case of sickness re
ported is vigorously inquired into, and all
the steerage passengers are carefully eX-
amined. Cabin passengers not suffering
from any illness are not examined in ordi-
nary times, nor is the cargo OF any ship
not from suspected port examined. Yes
sels coming from infected ports however,
are much more rigidly dealt with, and at
this time ships from India receive the
closest scrutiny. Whenever there is appre-
hension OF danger ca bin passengers are ex-
nnined as to their whereabouts for some
time before sailing, and baggage and mails
are fumigated, and infecte passengers and
those who are i'll are sent to the isiandSin
the lower bay.
The New York quarantine station is
maintained by fees collected from en-
tering vessels. Both steam and sailing
vessels from foreign ports pay So, and
between May and November all vessels
from domestic ports south of Cape Hen.
lopen are taxed-each steamer So, and
each sailing vessel 81 The amount of
these fees varies from year to year, but
generally it just about covers the running
expenses, which are about $50 900. When
ever there is any extra expenditure it is
met by special appropriation by the Iegis-
lature.
Prior to the cholera scare of 1892, it
wasnot always easy TO obtain the necessary
extra appropriations, but since then there
has been no trouble or delay. This result
is held to have been exceedingly beneficial;
the methods ofquarantine have not changed
materially, however, since they were un-
doubtedIy already the best III the world,
only needing sufficient means to carry
them out.
In addition to the protection OF the
State quarantine, the port of New York
would also have all additional protection
It should ask from the United States
government quarantine in case of ne
cesslty.
Tie national quarantine is in the control
OF tie Treasury Department, and its inme-
diatc administration is in charge Of the ma
rine hospital service, the surgeon general OF.
which, DR. Walter Wyman, is the chief Of
ficial. Organization is at present main
tained only at those ports Of entry not pro-
tected by State organizations These are
Brunswick, Ca. Delaware Breakwater,
Port Townsend, Greg; San Diego and San
Francisco, CAL; Southport, S. c.: Washing
ton, y. c.; and Dry Tortugas, Fla. Ateacil
OF these ports Surgeon General Wyman has
inspectors, who examine all entering YES
sels and report to him. The surgeon general
fs empowered 10 send government inspect
ors to any State quarantine station where