New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-18
NEW QUARANTINE PLANS.
MEASURES AGAINST YELL
Low FEVER DEVISED.
prsrNrrcrING DANGER POINTS IN cunA-M-
poRTANT WORK DONE BY MARINE

pIsINrrcrtXG DANGER POINTS IN CUpA-IM-
poRTANr WORK DONE by MARINE
HOSPITAL SURGEONS.
Uasbington Nov. 17-The yellow fever problem
has been receiving earnest attention Of late from
the authorities here particularly from the Marine
Uospltal Service and the War Depar tment, OWING
to the important new relations established VIII,
cuba and other fever localities to the south an"
also because OF the recurrence OF the dlS''S' III
this country last summer. The purpose Is 10 pre-
pare i'm the coming winter months for such an
efficient Gordon Of protection around tho country
that the chances OF reintroduction OF the disease
Will be- reduced to a minimum, while at the same
time the points OF infection I'm cuba snd cls'WfP
will be so improved by sanitation and guarded by
quarantine that the chief sources OF danger VIII
he removed Already the Marine Hospital Service
has begun its work Of establishing quarantine
Gordon around Cuba y large floating dlslhiec'l"s
plant is in operation In Havana IIarbOr. and SIM
llar plant Is at Santiago. although not YET III
operation These are to take charge or the snip
ping coming to American ports and put II through
such thorough dsinfection that all fever germs
Will be removed Similar floating plants will be
established at all other large commercial points
and such rigid rules put in force that snlPi"E
Will be free from danger before II Is out Or CUBAN
waters. although the same rigid quarantine ~
American ports will be continued. Surgeon-Geh'f"
Wyman Is going ahead with this hoatng dlsih-
fectlon although the present laws are not all tha
might be- desired TO give officials the right 10 'H-
tahsh quarantine outside OF the country o"H's
to this weakness of the Law strons efforts VIII
be made TO have Congress pass the Caiery OH
granting additional quarantine powers.
Besides the quarantine to provide against the
Introduction Of disease from Cuba the au'H"rl''''
are now considering plans Tor the Internal santa
ton Of the island an extensive scale """'
branch o. the service will have mat IN ch1IS'
IS not vet settled. surgeon-General Wyman says
the Marine Hospital Service VIII UNDERTAKE IN"
work II il IS desired. But cuba viii be- under
military rule Tor many months TO come the Wal
Department may determine to carry on the 10 '"
sanitation in connection with It's other DralcH'7
OF military occupation and control Just what 7Ho"'u
bc done in the way of draining, clearing away lou
deposits and establishing modern sanitary m''"ol9
at the main points OF cuba is b'ins th"rousm9
discussed by officials here and II - eAl'ct'" ''0
IA plan. ana the men to put 1t IN force. VIII De
decided at early day.
Another means OF coping With the disease l. W
statvning Il force " fever experts throughout the
island 10 report on the condition Of contaSoh ana
IA. lpprarance Of any new outbreak. The Surgeon
General now has two vi these experts AT havana
and one at Santiago. and this vii be the nucleus
OF "a much larger force. TWO other experts. sur
seons Wasdin and Geddinss let here yesl'i"ls
for Havana. raising the force there to four oii-
cc.- besides the suDordinates and assistants.
Tine work o. MrSSIS. NaSGH ana - N"IN@s -
considered particularly important, as th"> ar g.
pccally appointed by the Presid.nt commission
ID ascertain the causes Of yellow fever rms app
pointment was made about year ago am the
experts have opened Laboratories ana conducted
their inquiries a. New-Orleans and havana. me
work at Havana was Interrupted BY the war, bHt
the laboratory outfit did not suffer IN hoslltles.
and they return to resume the inf'stiSaton
Their preliminary report ~ the surgeon peiieta''
submitted Few days ago Is said to be one OF tn"
most important contributions to medical science
made In recent years. as II practically susalns tne
Sanareli theory that yellow fever IS the outsrO"th
OF a certain organism.
Concerning the recurrence OF fever epidemics in
this country the Marine Hospital authorize, hope
that their hands will be strengthened by the CaerY
bill which provides for the establishment OF a
more effective Federal control Of local and border
quarantine. II is said. however. that the lessons
OF the outbreak last summer give no ground ior
apprehension that the disease will be brought in
every year. The outbreak. it is held. was only a
renewal OF that OF the year before, no new cases
being introduced. The intervening winter was I'M
usually mild that the germs were not entirely
cradcatcd. furnishing the basis for the renewed
outbreak in the hot months last summer surgeon
General Myman says however, that the outbreak
was comparatively mild the cases being uuch
fewer the attacks less severe, the fever points
confined TO two States ahd the deaths much fewer
than the year before.