The times., 1899-01-19
TO SHUT OUT SMALLPOX
Commissioners Advise a Sys-
TEN of Inspection.
ACTION ALREADY TAKEN
District officials Communicate With
Surgeon General Wymun-Mnriuc
Hospital Officers Stationed Mt Alex
muirin and NorfoIk-To Isolate
Suspccts-Thc Health Bulletin.

The prevalence CT smallpox in Alexandria
and Norfolk has caused the District Com
missioners TO take precautions to prevent
the introduction of the disease into the
District of Columbia. In a letter 10 Gen.
Walter Wyman, Supervising Surgeon Gen
eral of the Marine Hospital Service the
Commissioners yesterday called attention
TO the existence OF the contagion in the
vicinity of the National Capital and re-
quested that officer to establish some sys-
TEN of inspection of passengers.
Or. Preston H. Bailhache, Of the Marine
Hospital Service in this city, was seen
yesterday and stated that every possible
step will be taken to prevent the disease
from spreading. lie said that if the case
warrants such action a regular inspection
will he established at Norfolk. However,
no steps in that direction have been taken
as yet.
The letter Of the Commissioners TO Cen
eral Wyman is as follows:
The Commissioners are officially advis-
ed that there are at present ten cases
of smallpox in Alexandria and that it is
prevalent in Norfolk II is suggested that
an inspection of passengers as they go
aboard steamers and trains, with a view to
excluding any who may be infected, would
be of material assistance in preventing the
spread of the disease to this place. and
the Commissioners hope that you may find
it possible to take prompt action in the
matter
When seen last night General Wyman
stated that he had already stationed Off
GERS of the Marine Hospital Service at
Alexandria and Norfolk. These officers
exercise great care in examining every
passenger leaving the two places and send
daily reports 10 General Wyman. The in
spectors have also arranged with the Off
ciais at Norfolk and alexandria TO isolate
suspects, to make house TO house exam
ination and TO cause the people of the
cities under their charge TO be vaccinated.
The local Health Office yesterday issued
the following health bulletin, covering the
week ending last Saturday: The mortality
in the District during the past week
amounted TO 145. The annual death rate
was accordingly 26.ae per thousand of the
whole population. OF the decedents, 50
were white, representing an annual death
rate of 2i.l7 per thousand. and &c colored,
the death rate being 1884. OF diseases of
the heart there was an increase of 4
deaths as compared with the last report;
of the nervous system there was an in
crease of 10, and OF consumption s. Deaths
from diseases Of the kidneys declined from
TO 4, and from the grip from % to l3.
There were. of the zymotic class, , fatal
cases of typhoid fever, > of diphtheria, and
each of measles. Group, and whooping
cough.
Al the close OF the last report there We're
81 cases OF diphtheria under treatment in
56 premises. During the week 10 new cases
were reported and % were discharged from
quarantine, leaving - cases still in isola-
ton in - premises.
OF scarlet fever there were 1870 cases un-
der treatment at the close of last report.
in 1l3 premises. During the week a new
cases occurred and 81 were released from
isolation, leaving 1i3 cases with warning
cards in rs premises.
The mean weather conditions for the
week We're: Barometer. 1927; tempera
ture of the atmosphere. 81 degrees, and
relative humidity. -. The winds were
mild southerly, averaging six miles per
hour, with 40 Of an inch precipitation OF
water. The thermometer registered 10
degrees on the 11th, rising to 81 degrees on
the 18th.