The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-20
FAVOR EARLIER QUARANTINE.
SANITARY BOARD WANTS 1T Es-
TABLIsHED BY APRIL 10.

Alderman FARRELL Says Precaution
should BE Used Because Warmer
Weather FavOrs Diseases That
! Come From West indian Ports.
Was Assured Col. BeIIinger Would
Succeed in Having Fort Pulaski
! Designated as Point to Fumigate
Returning TrOOPs-smaiI-pOx Pa
tients VIII All He Discharged
From Pest House in a Few Days.
It is understood that majority OF the
sanitary board favor changing the time
for maritime quarantine TO go into effect,
so that there may be no danger Of trans
ports injecting the city with disease. May
or Myers has stated that the matter would
be brought to The boards attention, but
he was probably not aware that 1t would
! receive the hearty support of the whole
board. The board is bent on protecting the
| city. however, and feels sure this course
is necessary in doing il.
Alderman farrell, at present at the head
| of the health department favors the
| change from May l 10 April Is, for several
| reasons. one is that the weather is stead
lily growing warmer, and the fact that the
transports come direct from infected ports
makes it an easy matter 10 bring diseases.
While he does not desire to pursue a
course detrimental to Savannah's CONNER
cial interests, Alderman farrell thinks an
epidemic, such as might come if the harbor
remains open until May, would prove a
greater drawback to business than the de-
tention Of vessels will be. A number of
things, which have occurred during the
time he has been acting health officer, have
convinced him that the harbor should be
closed. He viii therefore vote for the pro-
posed resolution when it is offered.
There was every reason for be-
heving that Col. Bellinger would
be successful in having Fori
Pulaski designated as point for
the fumigation of clothing of troops COM
ing to Savannah from infected ports
said Alderman farrell. 1T was at my
suggestion the matter was taken up with
the departments at Washington. 1 feel
satisfied this course will relieve the gov
eminent of any embarrassment or incon-
venience on account of the closing of Sa-
vannahs harbor 20 transports. There Is
70 doubt that the government is willing
to cooperate with the city in preserving
the public health, and 1 feel sure the adj
Vantages offered 1T Fort Pulaski for this
purpose viii be embraced.
AN arrangement of this kind might
have saved the city from at least a part
of the recent smallpox trouble" continl-
ed Alderman farrell. There were only
three cases that originated from the Ches-
ter, they being Private Baker of the I'm
munes and attendants a the hospital
who contracted the disease from him, but
things might have gone differently IN
less the city takes the proper steps with
out delay, this case demonstrates what
may follow, and especially when it is con-
sidcred that the conditions for the spread
OF diseases brought from West Indian
ports are more favorable as the weather
grows warmer.
During my connection with the heath
office" he said II have made an effort
to so arrange the work of the inspectors
that there may be no doubt about their
properly discharging their duties. Each
inspector is given district 10 cover, and
he is expected to look after it, leaving the
other districts 10 the inspectors in charge
My reason for this is to hold the men 20
strict accounta bility for any nuisances
found in their districts The inspectors
are not given any larger territory than
they can properly look after for the rea.
son ii is desired 90 make close Inspections
everywhere, and to urge upon the people
in sanitary condition. The failure of in
spectors to find and report nuisances
means their discharge"
Chief Sanitary Inspector Melvin, who
has for some time been doing the clerical
work for the health officer, has been put
in direct charge of the force, and is look
ing Yigantly for any who may be nan
ping at the city's expense. His place in
the office has been taken by Inspector
Stern. In connection with his duties as
inspector Mr. Melvin is also expected to
closely observe sanitary conditions and
to make such recommends tons as NAV
seem proper. 1t is reported the hard work
the force has done since the smallpox
scare has resulted I'm getting the city pref
ty thoroughly cleaned much work has
already been DONE" said DIR. farrell, but
| by April l we expect to have the city
clean enough TO challenge an epidemic of
any kind"
! The smallpox cases have about all been
| discharged from the pest house, without
the loss of a case. The promptness with
| which they were detected as they devel-
| oped. the systematic way they were re-
| moved to the pest houst at highland their
| successful treatment and recovery while
| there, speaks well for DR.. FARRELL The
! prompt isolation of the cases prevented a
! spread that might have assumed alarming
| proportions with less skillful management.
! The origin or the disease was traced in
the case of each patient. so that thor
ough and intelligent report was made 10
the sanitary board. 1t may be said there
IS no further danger from smallpox, al
! least from the last cases that were devel-
| oped As the weather conditions are less
favorable for its development now. it is
not believed there viii be any more trouble
from the disease this year.
-$s-
AN OLD VETERAN GONE.