Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-01
LATEST OFFICIAL ADvICEs.
Cases Put at Thirty-Seven-A Hope
full View,
Gy Associated Press.)


WASHINGTON, July 3l.-The latest
official advices received up to O'Clock
tonight show a total OF thirty-seven
cases and seven deaths from yellow
fever at the Soldiers Home at Hamp-
ton, Va. one new case occurred at the
home to-day. Thus far the disease has
been confined to the home, but all sur
rounding towns are excited and vigor-
GUS quarantine is being maintained.
Dr. Wasdln, Of the Marine Hospital Ser
vice, is in charge Of affairs at Hampton
and is working in cooperation with the
local boards Of health. lie has strength
ened the Gordon about the town of Phoe-
bus, which he reports IS I'm q very
bad sanitary condition. The fact that
only one new case appeared to-day is
encouraging 10 the officials here, who are
taking every measure 10 prevent spread
OF the disease They feel that the fact
that the affected locality Is in the hands
of the government and under one man
agement will be Of great value In deal
ing with the scourge and enable better
results TO be obtained than where cpl
denies break out In commercial places.
Already a number Of inquiries have been
received by DR.. Wyman from quaran-
tine officers throughout the United States
asking whether they shall impose a
maritime quarantine against Norfolk.
He has replied that there appears 10 be
no necessity for such restriction in the
case OF either Norfolk or Newport News
Dr. Wasdins official report OF h's oN-
animation Of existing conditions at the
Soldiers Home reached Or. Wyman To-
day. II is dated yesterday, and notes the
fact that the Doctor has seen all the cases
of suspected disease at the home. lie
sums no the history OF the contagion as
follows:
early in July an old soldier entered
the home for a short rest, and soon al
terward appeared at the dispensary'
where he informed the physician IN
charge that he was but recently from
Santiago, via a transport TO q 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. lie complained Of dumb chills
and fever and was prescribed for. q
mingled freely with the inmates Of The
home. and a short time ago disappeared.
From this as a possible cause the out
break is as follows:
preceding Friday, the 2lst instant
there had been nothing Of a suspicious
nature. the weekly death-rate was
as usual, but on the list ana
22d there became I'll during the
NIGHT, with sharp, more or less
chill and high fever, some eight or ten
inmates. men usually IN good heai'h'
These seizures, although noted as pecu-
liar had occasioned no alarm until about
Thursday. the 9Th, when a death occur
red. the man becoming distinctly yellow
| some time prior 10 death. on or about the
same day another one died, without
| having attracted particular attention. He
also turned quite yellow. Autopsies were
| he'd on both by the resident physician.
II was then, or little later, that the tel
eeram was sent you asking for an expert
| I found that thirty-fve inmates had keen
| taken III since the 2lst."
WHY NOT POSITIVE.
| Dr. Wasdin says he withheld a positive
! diagnosis in his first communication be
] cause OF the assertion Of Surgeon Niek
cry. at the home, that there had beer
no communication OF the inmates Will
any Cuban soldiers returned since las
May or early I'm June. With the discover,
OF the probable origin OF the infection
and the two autopsles to-day there car
be no doubt, he says, about the dlseas'
being yellow-fever, and continues;
II have advised Major Vickery L
empty the dormitories infected at once
putting the men preferably In tents. IN
grounds are closed. There has been
very free intercommunication between
the inmates and the people OF Phoepus
a public house near the grounds haylni
been freely visited until last night.
have suggested 20 DIR. Pettus 10 meet on
or more OF the local board OF Phoeods
and informing them OF the state or az
fairs. ask their cooperation In watcn
ing the village. The inmates Of the home
as understand, do not mingle much VIII
people outside the village. From this rae
it would seem possible TO confine the dis
ease In the home"
some date furnished BY the Surgeon
General shows the prompt manner Il
which the authorities have taken the sit
uation in hand. Late Saturday Dr
lWyman received a telegram from Surgeon