Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-04
PRECAUTIONS AT NEW YORK.
Ofhetai Statement In Denial of Al
legged Laxuesn There


NEW YORK, August s.-The following
statement regarding the yelow-feyer sit
uation was given out tonight by DR.. a
II. Dofy health officer Of the port OF
New York;
What is claimed to be an authoritative
statement regarding the cause OF the out.
break of ycllow-fever at the National
Soldiers Home. at Hampton, Va, ap-
peared in the press OF yesterday. The
substance OF the statement is as follows
" An elderly inmate OF the home OBJ
tanned leave OF absence and visited San
tiago, and on his return he brought with
him some extra clothing. with which in
some way he passed New York quaran-
tine without examination and disinfection
OF the clothing, and subsequently reach
ed Hampton
NEW YORK REGULATIONS.
"A statement Of this character, unsup-
posted by facts, Is hardly entitled 10 Sc
rious consideration. Since May lst every
passenger arriving at this station on yes
sells from Cuban ports has been held at
quarantine for period OF FIVE days from
the time OF embarkation, unless he pre-
sented an immune certificate issued by a
representative of the Marine Hospital
Service at the port of departure Not one
exception has been made II the passen-
gers arrive on United States transport,
the vessel Is detained al quarantine with
the passengers on board, under the con-
slant supervision of a member OF the
fneulcal corps of the United States army.
az the expiration Of five days from the
the OF embsrkation, and after a report
from the surgeon in charge that all are
"eI' the passengers gre brought TO dock
and personally examined before the YES
sci is released. In the case OF merchant
vessels, all passengers who do not hold
immune certificates are removed TO Holt
man Island, and detained there. under the
observation Of officers OF this department.
until the completion OF the above period
and are then released only after a careful
inspection.
PERIOD OF INCUBATION.
ut is believed that five days is the
maximum period Of incubation of yellow
fever This statement has the endorse
ment of Surgeon-General Sternberg.
United States army, as well as others
who have had long experience with yell
low-fever, and are competent to decide
this question. The disease usually ap-
pears on the second or third day. The
statement occasionally made that the
period Of incubation Of yelow-fever ex-
tends beyond five days is not accepted by
those who are familiar with the disease.
Therefore, II a careful inspection at the
end Of five days after leaving an infected
area discloses no evidence of yellow
fever, it may be accepted that the person
examined is not menace to the public
health A rule embodying this principle
is rigidly enforced by this department.
DISTINCTION AT SANTIAGO.
"The clothing and effects of those leav-
ing Santiago are disinfected before en-
barkation. This is the only safe and
practical way-otherwise presumably in
fected material may be taken on board
the vessel. The disinfection Is performed
at Santiago by a representative of the
Marine Hospital Service. have accepted
his certificates OF dsinfection as l have
every reason TO believe that this work
has been carefully and properly perform
cd 4"