The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-18
IO CLEAN Up CUBA
Carrying Out the Edict That
Yellow Jack Must Go.
UNCLE SAM AND SCIENCE
Are Enlisted for the Wiping
Out of the Scourge.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 1.-THE yellow
fever problem has been receiving earnest
attention OF late from the authorities here.
particularly from the marine hospital ser
vice and the war department., owing to the
new relations established with Cupa and
other fevtr localities 10 the south OF US,
and also because of the occurrence of the
disease within this country during the last
summer. The purpose IS 10 prepare during
the coming winter months for such an
efhGtnt Gordon Of protection around the
country that the chances OF relntroduc-
ton Of the disease will be reduced to a
minimum, while al the same time the
points Of infection in Cuba and elsewHert
will be so improved by sanitation and
guarded by quarantine that the main
sources of danger will be removed. Al
ready the marine hospital servict has be-
gun its work OF establishing Gordon OF
quarantine around Cuba A large floating
diSinfecting plant is IN operation in Ha-
vana harbor and a similar floating disin-
fecting plant is in Santiago, although IL is
not in operation. These are to take charge
Of the shipping coming to American ports
and put IL through such thorough disin-
fiction that all fever germs will be re-
moved. Similar floating plants will be es-
tablished at all other large commercial
points and such rigid rules put in force
that the shipping viii be free from danger
before il Is out Of Cuban waters, although
the same rigid Quarantint at American
ports viii be continued. Surgeon General
Wyman is going ahead with this floating
disinfection, although the present Jaws are
not all that is desired to give officials the
right 10 establish quarantine outsidt OF
the country. Owing to this weakness of
the law, strong efforts will be made 10
have congress pass what is known as the
Gallery bill, granting additional quaran-
tine powers.
Besides the quarantine to provide against
the escape of diseases from the island. the
authorities are now considering plans for
the internal sanitation of the island on
an extensive scale.
What branch of the service VIII have
that in charge is not yet settlel. Surgeon
General Wyman says the marine hospital
service will undertake the work If it is de-
sired. But as Cuba will be under military
rule for many months to come, the war
department may determine to carry on
other branches of military occupation and
control. Just what should be done in the
way of clearing away foul deposits and
establishing modern sanitary methods at
the main points of Cuba is being thor
oughly canvassed by officers here. and il
is expected that plan and the ones TO ex-
ecute the pan will be decided on at an
early day.
Another means Of coping with the DIS
ease will probably be the stationing of
force of fever experts throughout the
island 10 report on the condition of con-
tagion and the appearance of any new
outbreak. The surgeon general now has
two of these experts at Havana and one
at Santiago, and this viii lbe the nucleus
of a much larger force. Two other ex-
perts, Surgeon Wesdin and Geddings. left
here yesterday for Havana, raising the
force there to four officers besides the
authorities and assistants.
The work of Messrs. Wesdin and Ged
dings is considered particularly important
as they are especially appointed by the
president as a commission to ascertain the
causes of yellow ftfer. This appointment
was made about a year ago and the ex-
perts have opened laboratories and con-
duct their inquiries at New Orleans and
Havana. The work at Havana was in
terrupted by the war. but the laboratory
outfit did not suffer during hostilities AMI
they now return TO resume the investiga-
ton.
Their preliminary report TO the surgeon
general, submitted a few days ago. Is said
to be one OF the most important contribu-
tons OF medical science made in recent
days. as 1t practically sustains the San
arelli theory that yellow fever Is the out
growth of a certain orga nism. This Is not
vet the positive conclusion OF the United
States commissioners. but Surgeon Ged-
dings reports that in his experiments ne
has found that &c per cent OF the yellow
fever cultures had the organisms described
by Sanarelh. DR.. Geddings supplements
his report by recommending that as the
bacillus interOids of Sanareii Is indicated
% be the cause Of yellow fever. expert
ments be made on lower animals with the
Sanareln toxine The work already done
by the two experts gives promise to the
officials here that the complete fnvestiga-
tion VIII make marked contribution 20
the problem OF preventing and curing vel
low fever.
denies IN this country. the marine hos
pita, authorities hope that their hands will
be strengthened by The Caffery bill. which
provides for the estahE shment of q more
effective federal control OF local and Dor
der quarantine. Il Is said, however. that
the lessons Of the outbreak last summer
give no ground for apprehension that the
disease viii he brought in yearly. The
outbreak. it is held. was but renewal of
thai OF the year before, the rev cases BE-
ing introduced. The Intervening winter
was unusually mild. 50 that the germs
were Tot enirely eradicaed furnishing the
basis Tor the renewed outbreak during the
no. months last summer. Surgeon General
Wyman SAYS. however. thai The outbreak
was marked by comparative Tild7ess. the
cases being much fewer than ne year be-
fcre. the attacks less severe. the fever
points confined % two states. and he
deaths much fewer than the year before
QUARANTINE CONVENTION
Memphis Tenn. Nov. 17.--The National
Quarantine convention assembled here to-
day With Il delegates present and others
arriving with each incoming train A
majority OF the delegates are from the
southern states more affected By The via
itation q yellow fever. a. they were ask
ed % send q larger representation than
the other sections. There are delegates
from the north west and ezs-. however.