The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-17
FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISE.
Dr. Fulton Detains the Steamer state
10 Dislnfect Chinese Baggage.

DR.. Fulton Detains the Steamer state
10 Dlslnfect Chinese Baggage.
The action yesterday by State Health
officer Dr. J. A. Fulton IN not permit.
ting passengers to land from the steam.
ship State Of California, in from San
Franclsco. where a case Of the plague
has been reported. without first in
slgtlng that all Chinese be- examined
and their baggage infected. II sustain
ed BY the physicians generally In this
city as Well as the local health author
files. DR.. Fulton recently notified the
navigation companies OF his intention
not 10 allow a Chinaman to land here
from San Francisco without certi-
ficatc from reputable physician Of
that city Yesterdays action was the
first instance TO come up under the
scope Of the officers regulation and
the restrictions were rigidly enforced.
No sickness was found on board and
after the fumigation Of the Chinese
baggage. the ship was allowed TO pro-
coed 10 Portland.
Or. Fulton favors still further re-.
strietlon 70 the extent Of establish
INK physicians at the railway stations
along the state line between California
and Oregon where trains pass and en-
force the same restrictions that were
enforced by him on the State yesterday.
This plan has been laid before Cover
nor Geer.
Another excellent recommendation
has been made by Dr. August Kinney.
The doctor declares that quarantine
regulations should be applied TO all
vessels halling from ports that have
been. as well as those that now are.
infected For instance vessels may
leave for Astoria or any other Pacific
port from Hong Kong by way OF Yo-
kohama, leaving the former port with
a clean bill Of health. While no plague
exists In Hong Kong at the present
time. II does exist In nearly all neigh
boring ports and while a vessel leay-
ing there might be clearly entitled to
clean bill OF health there are many
chances for infection on board the ves-
sci before II shall have reached its
destination.
The people OF this city are doing
much toward eXterminating the rats
Stree the Issuance OF the open letter by
the health authorities and physicians
followed by the proclamation OF Mayor
Bergman, published in yesterdays AS
torian. II is a singular fact that the
Chinese residents OF this city are much
more alert than Is the white element
OF the population. This no doubt is
due to the fact that the Chinese have
gained wisdom from past experiences
and their action should indicate clear
ly To the Americans a proper line OF
action for the future.
In view Of the Importance Of united
and general local action in the matter
and the request Of physicians. the
proclamation Of Mayor Bergman is
herewith republished;
In view Of the fact that there has
been an authentic case Of the plague
In Chinatown In San Francisco, and the
Chinese are constantly coming from
there 10 other cities OF this coast; and
In View also that the plague now
exists In a greatly increased number
Of ports OF the Pacific ocean. from
which vessels are constantly coming to
the ports OF this coast. and in view
also OF the fact that rats take this dis
ease more easily than man. and are
generally the first TO take II in any
port. and then give 1t to man; and in
view OF the fact that the diseased rats
can not be Isolated in case of an epi-
demic.
Therefore, l think 1t proper that the
people should be warned to kill the
rats by trapping or otherwise without
delay as a matter OF self and public
protection.
This consider of great Importance,
and hope viii be done Immediately,
while the council win adopt other
means calculated 10 prevent the intro
duction OF the disease.