New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-01
YELLOW FEVER AT HAMPTON.

The news from Hampton is scarcely less IMAM
startling. An outbreak Of yellow fever Is al
WAYS looked for along the CUR coast ever!
season. Int TINS far no serious trouble has peen
experenced there this summer, thanKs 10 INC
vigyIance of the local authorities ana OF the
Marine Hospital service. So too when New
Work WAS threatened with an invasion TWO or
tbrea weeks ago. Health officer Doty dealt Win
tho si+ua.ion in a manner that prevented
manic Rut when from thirty to forty cases
orc ronortod and from three TO ten deaths &C.
cur inside Of two days. at point fairly well
uo,,orod from the tropjcs. n good deal of I'M
easiness is justified. 1t is n fortunate clrcum-
stonco that the activity of the unwelcome Wis
itor has thus far been confined to single IN
stitutlon: but the nearness or other centres Oh
nonu,a,ion and the large freedom of inter
course that has been permitted between .ne
,rmotos If the Soldiers Home and the outside
public suggest highly unpleasant possipiltles'
t1once until Il becomes altogether clear that
the disease is not about to spread 10 hnJaceht
towns and cities, n good deal or anxiety VIII
he excusable And even II the mischief IS thor-
onrhly localized, the fact that the Home con-
tains from 1000 to 4,5O0 veterans cannot lail
to excite general solicitude
The most encouraging feature OF the situation
is the nromptness with which the Marine Hos
pital Service has taken charge Mt Hampton
Surgeon General Wyman and his assistants
have had occasion to study yellow fever ana
tho latest methods Of fighting 1t all through
tho South. and they have exhibited intelligence
and executive ability In every Crisis. IN an
emergency Of this particular kind rigid quaran-
fine counts for more than remedial treatment.
Effectually to check the spread of the malady
Is more desirable, perhaps. than the cure Oh
those who have already been stricken. Never
theless. all possible effort to lessen the suher-
inps If the sick as well as to reduce the NOR
tality TO a minimum. at Hampton will undoubt-
edlv characterize the present management
Or. Wymans record warrants the hope that
both Of these policies will be vigorously en-
forced
The enlarged commercial and social inter
course between the United States and the West
Indies which must result from recent addi-
t,ons to the territory of this country is sure to
increase for n time our liability to experiences
like the one under consideration. For years II
has been practicable to keep yellow fever at
arms length here en- the continent, but Cuba
and the adjacent islands have been a constant
menace. And immunity can be enjoyed AT
home only when the sanitary REFORMS Whlch
General Wood has so admirably executed al
Santiago, and which the late Coonel "arlng
outlined for Havana. have been carried OUT
all through the Antilles. Just as the liberia
ton Of these islands from Spanish rule was
needed. almost az much for our own peace OF
mind as for the welfare OF an enslaved people
so the suppression of yellow fever In the West
Indies is as essential to the welfare OF the
States as of the adjacent territory. Meantime
careful inquiry into the circumstances which
made the Hampton outbreak possible may as
sist in preventing repetition of the incident
| at other places.