The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-01
SECRETARY ALGER IN CHARGE.
Many Experienced Surgeons Moved to
the Scene.

fined TO the Home, hut All SURROUNDING
| towns are excited and q vigorous Quaran-
| tine is being maintained, Or. Wasdin, OF
the Marine Hospital Service. IS in charge
Of affairs at Hampton. and is working
in cooperation with the local Boards Of
Health. He has strengthened the Gordon
about the town OF PhOebus. which he1rc-
ports is I'm very bad sanitary condition
| The fact that only one new case APP
poared to-day is encouraging 20 the oiii-
cials here who are taking every measure
tO prevent spread Of the disease. They
feel that the fact that the affected local
ity Is in the hands OF the government
and under one management viii be OF
great value in dealing with the scourge
| and enable better results tQ-.be obtained
than whore cpidemics break out IN COM
mercal places.
Already number Of inquiries have
been received by Dr. Wymcn from quar-
antine officers throughout the United
States asking whether they shall impose
maratime quarantine against Norfolk
lie has replied that there appears no Dc
30 necessity fOr such restriction in the
case OF either Norfolk or Newport News.
Or. Wasdins official report OF his ok
animation of existing conditions at the
soldiers Home reached Or. Wyman to-
day. 10 Is dated yesterday and notes the
fact that the Doctor has seen AN the
cases Of suspected disease al the Home.
lie sums mp the history of the contaGion
as follows.
HISTORY OF CONTAGION.
Early in July an old soldier entered
the Hcme for a short rest and soon af-
tcrward appeared at the disponsary whore
he informed the physician IN charge ~
he was bur recently from Santiago. VIA
transport % "a Northern port. thence
he started for Manila via San Francisco,
beat his way 10 the Home ON "a freight
train and entered with his baggage. He
complained of dumb chiils and fever. and
was prescribed for he mingled freely
with the inmates OF the Home. and
short time ago disappeared. From thls
as a possible cause the outbreak is as
follows. ,...
preceding Friday the DIST instant
there mad been nothing of ID suspicious
nature. fnc weekly death rates was rs
usual but on the DIST and 2Zd. there be-
came Ill during the night with sharp OF
loss chill and high fever. some el5nt oi
ton inmates men usually in good health
These seizures. although noted as pec'-
liar had occael0ncd no alarm unul ABOUT
THURSDAY the 9th. when dealn o'-
CURED. the man becoming distinctly l'--
low some time prior 20 dealh. On ID.
about tho same day another one ol.i
without having attracted particular a.
to-tior lie also turne6 quite yellow
Autopsics were held on both by the resi-
dent physician. IL was then. or "a hti'e
later that the telegram was sent you
asking for an expert 7 found there WIS
s05 inmates and that thirty-tve had peeh
taken ODD since the Dist
MET so CUBANS.
Dr Wasd'n says he withheld n POSI-
tive diagnosis in his first communication
because of the assertion Of Surgeon
wicker. af me Homo that there had been
no communication OF the inmates WIN
any Cuban soldiers returned since la-l
Nav or carly in June with The dFc''-
cry of the probable origin or the I.Iec-
fion and the Two autoDsies to-day there
can bo no doubt ho says. about me dl--
ease being yellow fever and continues.
Il have advised Major Nickery Cd
ornptv the d0rmitories infected at once
putting the men preferably ln trh'-.
The grounds are closed. Ihere mas u.u
a worry free communication between
the inmates and the people of Phoeon''
% nuhfc house near the grounds htNlN-
been freely visited until last night
have suggested 90 Dr. pettus 10 meet ono
or moro Of the local boards NJ Phoonu5
and informing them Of the state of ar
airs. ask their cooperation I'm Watching
the village. These inmates as unAeI-
stand. do not mincie much win ne'pt
outside Of the village. From ms i'cl DC
would seem possible TO conhne Do ODD l"e
PROMPT ACTION.
Some data furnished Boy the Surgeon
General shows the prompt manner in
which the authorities have taken the
situation I'm hand. late Saturday Dr.
Wvman received n telegram from sur
geou Vickerv at the Home. asking for
an EXPERT. Or Wlsdin was ordered there
from Norfolk AZ once. and last night
dispatch came from him. announcing that
the disease was genuine yellow FEVER.
Surgeon White was snt from Washington
10 take charge of the Marine Hospital
affairs Tie has had large experience In
yellow fever epidemics. After Gordon
has been established around the Soldiers
Home. neighb0ring cities were warned ana
advised 90 hunt for any inmates of the
Home who might be- visiting. and to>Seep
them under close observation. Dispatches
To this effect were sent Sunday 90 Nor
folk Portsmouth Newport News. Rich
m0nd. and the health officer at waning
ron was notified I'm Norfolk a house-t0-
house inspection is being made. Dr Far
oubar was appointed 10 consult the health
authorities at Norfolk and the adjoining
town of Berkeley and assist in locating
mgitlves Surgeon Nickery, at the Home
has been asked 10 prepare % list OF sol
diers who have departed within "a month
with view 90 tracing them.
To-day Dr. Wyman ordered Assistant
Surgeon Won Edorn from New Orleans 10
IIampton. Passed Assistant-Surgc0n
Smith. who is now on leave, has been
directed 90 return TO Norfolk Surgeon
Alagruder has been ordered from Mem
phis Both Of these officers have had
large experience in quarantine matters.
Surgeon Pettus. i'm charge OF the Cape
Charles quarantine has been ordered 10
assign his assistant: Surgeon McClntock
TO temporary charge and 90 remain on
duty himself at old Point.
Surg n-Gcn. Wyman Of Marine Hospital
Service. had conference with Secretary
Alger al - o'clock to-day concerning
the yellow fever situation az Hampton.
The Secretary of War is eN-OhiciO presi-
dent OF the Board Of Managers OF the
Soldiers Home and as a consequence his
orders concerning the Home would gov
ern 81. At present the Home is under
the direction Of the Governor Of the
Home and Surgeon Vlckery. Surgeon
Wyman has sent 90 Hampton. Surgeon
White a very experienced yellow fever
physician. who will take control of
everything under the Marine Hospital
Service.
Secretary Alger has directed the
Josiah Simpson Hospital at Fort Monroe
90 bee turned over 10 the Marine Hospital
Service II 20 IS wanted by Surgeon General |
Wyman. This hospital contains one
thousand beds and was fucd up for the |
troops stationed at Newport News last
summer. only small portion OF il has !
ever been used The Secretary told |