The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-27

7
Turkey. Another resolution was passed
Al this conference to the effect: That the
Dest method to prevent tho spread oil vel.
low fever was TO improve the sanitary con-
ditions OF the differoBt towns and cities
10 Isolate the patients and to dlsiniect al
infected articles or places. Again gen
tlemen. wish to call your attention "a
the following extract from a paper upon
this subject by Charles j. Smorn: "Thc
National board OF health was also required
TO cooperate with and aid State aud local
authorities in preventing the spread oi
epidemic diseases from one State into
another. aud very shortly after it's organ.
cation the Memphis epidemic called forth
every energy for its limitation. Durm,
the epidemic OF the previous year, 1878,
representation imposed the policy OF
non-intercourse on most OF the Southern
communities, and what is known as the
shotgun quarantine was inaugurated
vessels from New Orleans or other in
tected points were repealed from the
mississippi landings by armed citizens
and trains and other modes OF lntersta G
communication were stopped at the Sta c
line and denied the right OF way But I'M
der the auspices Of the National boa d
of health these rigorous quarant mes were
replaced by the system OF medical in
spection. Commerce and travel were not
interrupted, but placed under such SUI
pervision that the disease was not pro-
pasated on their lines.
According to the report OF the senate
commlttee<6f the Forty-seventh congress,
the disease was actually stamped out In
New Orleans and confined to the lin Is OF
Memphis. And instead OF the general dis
organization and panic, with suspension OF
business, trade and commerce wh,.n per-
yAded the country In 1878, comm rec and
communication with infected cities were
resulaled-not stopped or even re ardeo
10 any considerable extent--and the geL-
eral business OF the country went On n
It's usual methods and through Its usual
channels without serious interruption. In-
stead of panic and alarm, confidence ami
a sense q security psryaded the co ntry.''
This system proved 80 efficient n re-
strain.ng the spread OF yellow fe ser, tina.
IN the following year Its continaan was
IMPOSED on the board by the acton OF the
states that were exposed to danger from
the presence OF the disease in New Or
leans.
Now, gentlemen, this is the experience
Of experts not only al the present time
but upon this subject as far back as 1879
anu II there is any mercenary motive
moving those at the present time, you can
scarcely cain i was meNenary motive
moving those in 1879 / believe that Dr.
Massle resolution should be adopted by
TINS association, and we should recommend
that the same system which stamped Out
the disease IN this country In 1879 should
be used now, because our experience OF
last year has shown us that absolte quar-
anime has been very unsatisfactory
DR. r. T. Morris, Houston: Gentlemen:
am extremely sorry that some representa-
tive OF the Slate health officer is not here
to discuss this question. Much could be
learned by viewing this question In al
Ms phases The question naturally arise.
when the Atlanta agreement is discussed
would the health OF the State be je5par-
died by It's adoption, contend that
there Is less danger in operating under
the agreement than under the system
adopted by the State Of Texas, The Tex
Us system Of quarantine offers a premium
for evasion. where's rational system
would have no such effect. Adopt the At
lanta agreement, and only the usual
routes should be guarded. but under the
present administration freight Is shlppei
from New Orleans to various points II
Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee.
Traffic that would ass sit Beaumont "a
forced through abnormal channels, and
the business OF Beaumont suffers in CON
sequence.
As to shipping from the Wholesale dis
tr.cts, / refer you to Dr.. Nolte.
DR.. No.te: In 1897, 1898 and 1899 we
had NO cases OF yellow fever in the whole
sale districts OF New Orleans.
DR.. Morris. continuing. Such being th'
case, the danger OF contagion is at mini
mum and freight can be safely shipped
from wholesale districts.
j do not question the motives of ou'
health officer. l am satisfied he is homes
in his convictions, but l think he shoult
keep up with the progress OF the times
Science has no geographical limits, u
arbitrary boundaries. There is to my mint
no satisfactory reason for refusing thei
adoption. The regulations are the ex
pressions of the most scientific santa
rians. We n no way wish 10 jeoPardlz
the health OF our people and 1t is yer!
evident to our mind, as betore stated, tina
there is no risk in their adoption. BENZ
OF such belief, ! am in favor OF recon-
mending to the health officer the adop
ton of the Atlanta agreement, as modife
in New Orleans, in toto.
Dr. calhoun; Do you believe that D!
the adoption OF modified quarantine W.
viii make the commercial world more
honest2
DR.. Norris: believe we would. Abso
lute quarantine is an impossioiAty. III w
would meet the commercial world IN
frank and candid manner and tell then
that a certain class OF goods could D.
shipped into the State under proper regu
iations and restrictions OF the health De
palfmemt, there would be no incentive 10
evasion. Under the present system evas
ION is encouraged. Way not permf then
10 ship under our inspection aud alloN
freight TO come through normal cnanneis
You suffer here in Beaumont more tnal
we do in Houston, because freight tina
should 90 through Beaumont TO Housto
goes 10 Houston via Shreveport. For IA
reasons mentioned / am in iavor OF IN
adoption of the Atlanta regulations
toto. ,,
Or. S. o. Red Houston--l have som
little hesitancy In talking on this supJet
Or. Norris and several others have s.a e
that there are no representatives OF 10
state health officer here. 90 not iS
In night a man when he can not hght Daci
You must recognise that this resolution
certain sense Is a criticism Of the h an
: department. and when we do that Nal
I 70 state some things in connection Wlt
. why | voted FOR It. The state OF IeAas
g 1857 or whereabouts was visited witn
g strange ana mysterious disease, il i've
I IN Galveston; It lived in Houston II t1aN
o eled up the Central railroad ana ven
: as far as Navasota. The people dian r,'
ognize It; the doctors didn't recognize !
il was a strange and mysterious aiseas
e In those days some OF the doctors sala
, was yellow fever and some said II was 20