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

ne" 10rK, NOV. l9.-The steamer
j. W Taylor, which arrived yesterday
from Santos, Brazil, With the captain
and cook ill with suspected bubonic
plague, has been disinfected as far as
possible without discbarging cargo.
The cabins, forecastles, decks and
engineers department have been
ceansed aud thoroughly disiufected.
The crew have been bathed apd their
clothes and effects have been subjected
to steam The patients are at Swim
burns island, and there is no change in
their condition. Deputy Health Officer
Sanborn says the crew will be kept on
board the steamer until tomorrow.
when the agents will supply a new
crew. The crew will be removed to
Hoffman Island aud detsioed for observ-
alton for teo days There has beer
no further development among them.
After the removal of the crew the
cargo. coffee 10 sacks. will be discbare-
ed ioto lighters. The sacks will be
emptied ioto other receptscles and then
sub jected to steam disinfection on
board of the James w. Wadsworth.
After the discharge of cargo the holds
OF the steamer will be disinfected. DR..
Fitzpatrick, the meteorological expert
OF the quariotioe. is making cultures
OF matter takeo from the patients.
The results of bis examinations will
determine the question OF the discharge
of the cargo
Dr.. Herman NJ Biggs. baoteriologiss
Of the beaith department, gsve out the
following statement today regarding
Dr.. Parks examinstion of the suppos.
ed bubonic plague patients
1.-The meteorological examinations
thus far made by DR.. Park show
apparently that the contents of the
broken down bubos do net contain auy
living germs. 1t is possible. however.
that some may develop 10 the cultures.
Microscopical examination of the pus
are also rather negative. These ueea-
tive results are such as might be ex.
pected 10 the plague at the stage of the
disease presented 10 these men and
would be very unusual 10 other condi-
tious They therefore afford some co.,
firmatory evidence as to the existence
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
psychological examinations will be
continued so long as the patients of
the infected ship present the opportu-
nifty. This is the first time the pbysi-
clans of this city have bad su oppor-
pity to study the disease directly. Up
to this time they have depended upon
foreieO medical reports. which are not
always authentic.
Health Commissioner Cosby said that
he had DO doubt the ship could be
thoroughly Gisinfected But even so,
i, would not be permitted to come to
the city
10 forbiddipg The docking of the ship
or her approach to any wharf, the an.
thorities have been actuated by the fear
that the rats which iofest the ves-
sci will get ashore and carry the germs.
ii the disease droves TO be the bubomic
plague. With them Experience with
the bubomic plague 10 foreign countries
show that the rat is potent factor IL
the the spread of the disease, it being
affected by the bubonic becillrs in a
siuilar manner to man. 10 Nothnsgle's
laboratory is Vienna several years ago
one of the assistants developed the
plague from contamination With rat
into which be had inoculated the dis.
ease
The health authorities have not vet
decided upon the mode Of disiufection
that shall be employed to rid the vessel
of the vermiu, but the dis,nfectiou.
whatever form it may assume. will be
of the most through character.
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