Evening star., 1898-03-25
YELLOW FEVER GERMS.

What Surgeon General SternbcrH
Says Of Preventive Measures.
In view of the poss.bl, invasion OF Cuba
by United States troops. in the event Of a
&C nf1ict with Spain, careful minds are con-
sidering the results of this move. These
results are considered not alone from a
fear of the consequences of defeat, for such
an idea is ignored, but just at the present
from a sanitary standpoint. Should an
army of occupation be sent to the beleag-
uered isle next month. or within the next
few months, it is believed by many that
the troops would suffer far more from tine
ravages Of disc ase than from any wounds
received in battle This has been the case,
It is pointed cut, with the Spanish soldiers
the dread yellow fever and other diseases
epidemic on the island killing them off with
fearful rapidity and filling the hospitals
with the sick. 1t has been hinted by those
who are most opposed to a war with Spain
that least OF all should Cuba be invaded.
An army of occupation. formed of wholly
una acclimated troops, 1t is claimed. would
meet a sure fate from the yellow fever
While in some parts Of Cuba tile yellow
fever is epidemic only In certain months, at
others IL may exist throughout the year, I'm
latent form, ready to attack any who may
expose themselves to its germs without be-
Ing acclimated. Willie many of the Spanish
troops have been acclimated. none of those
of this government would be-
Surgeon General StcrnberS's Views.
Surgeon Gereral Sternberg of the army
was interviewed this morning by a Star re-
porter in regard to possible preventive
measures which might be taken by his de-
partment in case of forces being sent TO
Cuba. He said:
I'VE know of no preventive measures by
which an army of unacclimated troops
could be protected from yellow fever IL
they should be stationed in an infected 10
cs,ity during the months from May to the
end of October. The only preventive meas
ure when yellow fever appears among un-
acclimate1 Individuals during the season
favorable for its prevalence is the prompt
removal to a non-infectei locality. Ha-
vapa, MataDzas Cienfue2os. Car3enas and
several other seaports are centers OF IN
fectior, where the disease prevails TO
greater less extent annually The de-
veicpmeut of a disease at any one of these
places depends alone upon the infroduc-
ton of a considerable number OF unacc!i-
mated individuals during the summer
nonthS
THE native population Of these infected
places has an immunity, which probably
results from the fact that the people have
suffered a mild attack of the disease dur
ing childhood.
"While the permanent infection of a sea-
port city in the tropics depends largely up
on local -unsanitary conditions. yellow fever.
when introduced. may prevail as an cpl
uenlc III lOcbHlleS WuSTe BTcdt care las
been taken to maintain the best possible
sanitary conditions. Evidence of this may
be found in the ei,f6emios which have oc-
CURED at Fort Barrancas. Florida. and the
Pensacola navy yard on various occasions,
Notwithstanding the fact that the COM
harding officers and medical officials were
especially vigiiant with reference to san-
itary police of these places.
II conclusion. the surgeon general de-
clared that there need be no fear on
count of yellow fever. as preventive meas
ures against this could be. and were. taken
successfully i'm the army. On enlisting
each soldier is vaccinated If this operation
has not taken place within certain limit
of time.