The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1900-06-01
GULF STATE PHYSICIANS.



jackson Weekly News.
DIR. s. +. Rusing, Of Alexandria,
La, has addressed u timely letter to
the physicians Of the Gulf States in
the course OF which lie makes the fol-
lowing very sensible observations:
In our Southern country we have
but one disease which carries fear and
dread with it. This is yellow fever
This fear aud dread does not arise from
the yellow fever Of to-day, but is a
heritage by tradition from the epi-
denies of nearly half century ago.
The mortality Of those cpidemics, In
deed, was frightful, and the word
yellow fever is still linked with the
death rate OF those epidemics.
Now, it is the duty OF all physicians
to correct this error OF the public
mind, by teaching and educating the
people that the yellow fever Of to-day
is different from that OF 1859, 1858 or
1878. That yellow fever Of to-day liz
it can be called such) frOm some cause,
whether climatic or modern santa
tion, has undergone a Very great
change-a modification which in Its
mildness is barely recognizable. That
the fatality is not as great, in proper
tion to cases, as that Of our ordinary
palludal fevers.
"Whcn the people properly under.
stand these facts the fearOf the word
yellew, in connection with fever, will
be removed, and we will have no more
frights, panics or quarAptincs.
| u would advise physicians that
when yellow fever has been reported
at some point, perhaps an hundred
| miles distant, never to have suspi.
, cious case. Either have yellow fever
or something else. The suspicion car.
) rics with it fear and distrust. 1t is u
regular breeder Of panics and quaran.
| tine.
!, II have watched guarantees for
many years, and while it Is available
to prevent the introduction Of disease
, from foreign importation, yet when
established inland the efficacy to pub
lie health eau be readily questioned
and criticised, but to business and
commerce the facts arc patent.
Last year the city OF Alexandra
established quarantine against New
Orleans. The entire State south of
| Alexandria to New Orleans was free.
What fever was in New Orleans re-
mained there and did not advance
north. This demonstrates the fact
that few cases existing in any city or
town Is not sufficient warrant for
quarantine. Authorities should defer
quarantine until decided advance
OF the disease toward an epidemic.
1T is now dcbatable question In
the minds Of many physicians as to
the necessity Of quarantining against
a disease which has no greater mortal
ity than many other diseases prevalent
throughout the country. A few years
will be sufficient to educate the peO-
rle that modified, modern yellow fever
is not &c feared, and that inland quar-
antines are not as great protectors OF
health as they are destr0yers Of bust.
ness and commerce.
Now that summer time Is near at
hand some timid folks will begin to
have visions OF yellow fever and other
pestiential diseases. They will think
Of such calamities SO much that they
will believe they actually exist, aud
before they know 1t, will be telling of
''cascs" in their own towns. Such
dangerous subjects should be promptly
Muzzled. There is law on our stat
ute books providing that parties who
circulate false reports shall be fined
and imprisoned. 1t should be strictly
enforced. Every rumor should be run
down and the originator brought bc-
fore the courts.