The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-11-22
The Buboqic Plague
at New York 5 Gate.
THE CAPTAIN AND COOK
OF A SHIP ILL.

J. W Taylor, which arrived yesterday
from Santos. Brazil, WITH the captalo
and cook i'll with suspected bcbooic
plague. has been disinfected as fa7 as
possible v!tboas discbars!og cargo.
Tee cabins, forecastles, decks and
engineers dcpartmeu; have been
cleansed aod thoroughly dia:afec'ed.
The crew have been basbed aud thel-
clothes and effects have bcen subjected
70 steam The patients are at Swiu-
burDe island, and there is no change in
their condition Deputy Health Officer
Sanboro says the crew will be kept on
board the steamer uotil tomorrow,
when the agents will supply new
crew. The crew will be removed to
Hoffman island aud detsioed for obser7-
stion for ,eo days There has been
20 further development among then.
After the removal CT the crew the
cargo. coffee in sacks, will be discharg-
ed into lighters. The sacks will be
emptieG ioto other receptacles and then
subjected to steam disinfection on
board Of the James w. Wadswortb
After the discharge of cargo the holds
of the steamer will be disirfectea Dr..
Fitzpatrick, tie meteorological expert
of the quariutine, is makiog cultures
of matter takeo from the patients
TIE results Of bis examinations will
determine the question OF the discharge
OF the cargo.
Dr.. Herman N Biggs, baoseriologiss
OF the health department, gave out the
following statement today regarding
Dr.. Psrks' examination of the soppos-
ed bubopic plague patients
''The psychological examinations
thus far made by Dr.. Park show
apparently that the contents of the
broken dowo bcbcs do Nc: contain any
living germs. It is possible, however.
that some may develop in the cultures.
Microscopical examination Of the pus
are also rather negative. These pega-
tive results are such as might be ex-
pec,ed in the plague at the stage Of the
disease presented ip these men and
would be very unusual in other condi-
tiops They therefore afford some co.,
Grmatory evidence as to the exleteoce
OF the plague"
Dr.. Biggs said be had little doubt
that the two patients supposed to have
the disease are now almost we'll. The
archaeological examinations will be
contiuued so long as the patients OF
the infected ship present the oppostu.
nifty. This is the first time the p5ysi-
ciaus Of this city have had so oppor-
pity TO study the disease directly. Up
to this time they have depended upon
foreigu medical reports, which are not
always authentic
Health Commissioner Cosby said that
be had no doubt the ship could be
thoroughly Gisinfecred But even SO,
it would cot be permitted to come to
the city
10 fcrblddipg The docking cftbe ship
or her approach to any wharf, the au,
tborities have been actusted by the fear
that the rats which iofest the ves-
sci will get ashore and carry the germs.
if the disease droves 10 be the bubomic
plague. With them Experience with
the bubomic plague 10 foreign countries
show that the rat is potent factor 10
the the spread of the disease, it being
affected by the bubonic becillus in a
siuilar manner to mso. In Notnoagle's
laboratory is Vienna several years ago
one of the assistants developed the
plague from contamination With rat
into which be had iooculated the dis
ease
The health authorities have net yet
decided upon the mode o. disiufection
that shall be employed to rid the vesse!
of the vermin, but the dis'nfectloo.
whatever form it may assume. will be
Of the most through character.