The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-06
SURGEON GENERALS REPORT.
Wynun Says Excellent work Was
nnmc In the SnMIh.

Washington December Sturgeon Cen
eral Wyman OF the marine hospital service
has submitted his annual report to Secre-
tary Gage 1t shows that during the fiscal
year ending June 30. 1897, the total num-
Der Of patients treated at the hospitals ana
the dispuuearies connected with the service
was 54,477. Although the total number
OF patients treated was $40 in excess OF
those treated during the previous fiscal
year, the expenditures were S5SS. $50. which
is SCI 600 less than for the previous year
The number of immigrants inspected by
officers of the service at tho various posts
aggregated 232,
The surgeon general invites attention
to the excellent work done by the officers
OF the corps during the recent visitation
OF yellow fever in the South Medical
onlcers were assigned to duty in the in
hcteu districts and although a number
OF them were not immune 10 yellow fever,
nevertheless they responded with alacrity
and performed their duties with Judgment
ana efficiency. Three officers contracted
yellow fever and one lost his life by acct
Gent In the line OF duty.
under the head of Public Health Ser
Nlcs, the sugreon general discusses the
SUBJECT of cholsra, SMALLPOX, yellow fever
ana leprosy. The appearance of cholera
III Japan and China, he SAYS. is now n
matter of greater moment TO the United
"tites IMAM at any previous time. owing
TO the rapid growth Of commeree between
these countries and The Pacific coast.
smallpox is reported "a having appeare1
IN sixteen States between November /
1886, and November L. .SD7 I'm tht wear
previous ii appeared in twenty two States.
ihe prevalence OF the bubodlc plague in
me Eastern hemisphere has offered n new
problem for the consideration OF the health
authorities Of the unitod states. The
disease liz reported as Increasing at The
present time In Northern India II has
also appeared in certain portions Of China
ana Japan. Special quarantine reguIa-
lions were issued with reference 20 this
dlseaSe and regular officer OF the marine
hospital service was sent to the ports Of
japan and China during the summer of
1890 TO obtain more accurate knowledge of
the health conditions at these porrs and
the inability to contagi1l extending 10 the
United States. one vessel infected with
the plague was received and properly treat
ed at the United States quarantine sta
ton NJ san Francisco.
The report OF the lenrOsy conference held
in berlin last October giYes a somewhat
imperfect statement of the numter OF
CAGES of leIrosy in the different countries
OF the world, there being approximately
10000 in India; 10000 in Japan; $500 IN
Hawaii 1900 IN Russia; 100 In Calcutta
and $500 in the United States.
yellow fever has been unusually preya-
lent throughout the isiaul of Cuba dur
ing the past year. In the city OF Havana
alone from November /, 1886. to Novem-
Der |. 1897, there were 1908 deaths. The
disease has elso prevailed extensively
throughout the West Indies and the Span
isl main.
A history of the recent epidomic Of vel
low fever in the South is also given with
statistics ard the operatioas OF The marine
hospital service. which were conducted
through experienced officers. This expert
service, Or. Wy!0an says. was OF great
value in the prompt Determination Of the
existence of the disease, without which
the necessary precautions would not have
been taken by local authorities
The surgeon general states that there IL
little doubt but that the work which was
done had a marked effect In controlling he
spread Of the disease and preventing a
much more extensive epidemic.
The total number OF cases OF yellow
fever reported 10 the bureau up TO Novem-
Der ~ was ilaS, and the numh9r OF deaths,
i23. OF these there we're 1923 cases and
"a dcalhs in New Orleans.
The report gives a full account OF the
operations OF the eleven National quaran-
tine stations aud measures taken 10 en-
force the National regulations at San Fran
cisco and Sabine Pass, Texas, where Dr.
Wymar says. by reason Of the local made
quacy, interference WAS necessary.
Attention n called TO the fact that an
effort was u abe more than "A year ago TO
suyp,ant the National quarantine station
on Ship Island by State quarantine OF The
came character on neighboring Island
nearer the shore. but DR.. Wyman gays 1t
failed.
reference H. made to attempts 10 excite
concern regarding the Ship Islanl station
on account Of it's alleged proximity 10 the
ccast, which, the surgeon general says, |
has been falsely stated as Ave miles, where !
as Il is twelve miles away. The station. !
he continues is well equipped and the of- |
forts sadc by Interested parties 10 con-
meet II with the recent outbreak OF fever |
are rot supported by a single fact.
The National station Was removed from |
Chandcleur 10 ship Island in 1894 after |
the destruction OF the Chandelier station |
by storm which swept the hospital out |
TO sea and drowned I'VE people. It's trans |
fer wsg legslized by the appropriation act |
o. 1875.
The surgeon general again refers TO the |
necessity of = more strict National quar- |
antine Law. which he has made The sub |
ieci Of special report in the last two years !
and he males recommendations looking TO /
the strengthening OF tho present laN 10 /
the spread OF disease and inter
ference with interstate commerce during |
times OF epidemic.