Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-16
oun SOLDIERS AND OURSELVES.

OUR SOLDIERS AND OURSELVES.
Exact information as to the number Of
our soldiers who have contracted the yell
low-fever in Cuba IS difficult to get. Two
days ago one OF the correspondents OF
the New York Herald estimated that one
hundred had been stricken, but the dis
ease was represented to be of mild
type. We may, however. assume that the
fever IS liable TO become epidemical, and
acting upon that apprehension. it is stated
that our government is rapidly providing
isolation camps and hospitals.
We presume that all our yellow-fever
patients in Cuba and all who may become
1ll hereafter from this disease will be
cared for in hospitals there. With East
ern Cuba I'm our possession, we shall be
able to select high ground and salubrious
localities for our camps, and hospitals.
Moreover, there will be no difficulty IN
obtaining plenty Of immune physicians
and nurses there. So. we take It, that
most of our men who fall sick from yell
Iow-feyer will be treated i'm Cuba, Thus
we may expect the mortality to be light
and the danger Of introducing the fever
into this country TO be minimized.
But no matter how excellent may be
The arrangements that the government
makes for dealing with the fever in Cuba,
cur southern ports Will not be free from
danger. Vessels are coming here every
week bearing hundreds OF men who have
been wounded or who have fallen sick in
camp, or who have been discharged or
sent home on special duty. Any one OF
these may develop case of yeIlow-fever
between the time he sails from Santiago
and the time when he lands here. That
there is danger from this quarter cannot
be denied. Indeed, the State authorizes of
Florida are so strenuously insisting upon
auarantinlng all vessels arriving from
Cuban ports, the United States Govern
ment has ceased 90 use Florida ports for
oisembarking our sick and wounded
These are now being taken to more north
ern cities.
No one can tell when man sick OF the
fever may be landed. 1t may occur at any
time. Hence. we ought not TO allow our
selves to be taken by surprise We should
have in readiness wherever we suppose oc-
casion may arise for it's use, a fully
equipped hospital for the care and treat
ment OF yellow-fever patients.
The relation OF our southern seaboard
cities TO the soldier sick should not be
misunderstood They earnestly desire to
do everything that IS practicable to care
for our brave fellows, but at the same
time they do not want the fever to be in
l.. ,A,4,-
sort TO quarantine measures II Will be for
the good of the whole country, as well as
for the protection of their own localities.
TO permit yellow-fever to spread far and
wide through our land would be to impose |
upon our people a mortality and money |
cost that might prove TO be far in excess |
OF those of the war with Cuba.
The Dispatch thinks the Federal and
State authorities ought 10 Join their forces /
in harmonious and Judicious efforts TO
prevent the landing upon the public |
wharyes OF all persons who may bring
the yellow-fever with them from Cuba.
But we would have all who may be de-
tanned in quarantine provided for in the
most comfortable manner.
AHNtc VuSht W NC NVtShsAVH SNdtiVH'
provided and made 1T for the habitation
OF decent men. 1t would be a shame upon
US II we were taken by surprise In this
matter. or II we neglected TO have In
readiness clean. spacious hospital quar-
tiers and experienced physicians and train
ed nurses.
We know the yellow-feyer Is among our
soldiers IN Cuba we may expect II TO
spread; we know some OF the sick may
b. landed upon our shores at any mo-
ment. and We would give 60 the world
example OF stupidity II we
failed to be ready for the disease the mo-
rncut II appears
II II docs not como well and good; the
little mosey spent in precautionary ar |