The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-04
WATCHING TAMPA EM!GRANTS.
SANITARY INSPECTORS MEETING
TRAINS THAT COME FROM
FLORIDA.

the Inform ation Inspectors Are
GatherinE-A Measure of Precnu-
tion and a SO urce of Information.
Surgeon White of the Marine Hos
initial service, to- Advise DIR. Brun-
ner of Situation in Tampa.
Beginning early tlus morning every
train entering the city from South Flor
ida was inspected by an officer of the
local health department, the purpose of
abe inspection being to keep DR.. Brun-
ner advised of the extent of the emigra-
ton from the city where yellow fever is
said to be existent, and the character
of the passengers who are fleeing from
the danger.
The decision TO inspect noSthbound
trains on the Plant System, Seabt1ard and
Southern, was reached by Health officer
Drummer on yesterday, and immediate
measures were taken to put his deter
mination into effective operation. The
railroads threw no obstacles in the way
of the proposed inspection, but on the
contrary instructed the conductors of
their trains 20 render the sanitary inspec-
tors every practicable assistance
No quarantine has been declared, and
none will be declared unless there is g
material change in the situation DR..
Drummer stated that he did not believe
a quarantine was necessary under present
conditions, and that he certainly would
not advise that proclamation, declaring
a quarantine against Tampa, be issued,
unless he was convinced that the fever
was epidemic or likely soon to become so.
In the meantime however he is taking
all other precautions in his power to pro-
tect this city against the possibility of
infection. The trains are being inspect
ed as they enter the city, and the inspec-
tors are under special instructions to per-
form their duty with all possible thorough
ness and care, and TO collect all the de-
sired information they can possibly OBJ
tain. DR.. Drummer has not found ii nee
essary TO increase his present office and
field force for the purpose of dealing with
the situation, finding the men already
under his charge. amply able to do what
ever is 10 be done.
The inspectors will ascertain the num-
Der of passengers aboard the trains who
are from Tampa. their character and APP
parent station in life. the proba abilities of
their exposure TO infection in their ma
tive city and other information that viii
assist the health officer in making up his
mind as to the proper course to pursue.
The baggage carried by the passengers
from Tampa will also be inspected and
bedclothes of every kind will have to I'M
dergo a severe and rigid scrutiny. In
scarcely anything else that a passenger
is at all likely to carry with him may
the germs of disease be more easily con-
veyed.
Nothing can or viii be done
with these passengers from Tampa
until a quarantine has been pro-
claimed. An effort will be made,
however. to keen some track of their
movements and, in case quarantine is de-
clared, not to permit their return to Sa-
vannah. after they have passed through,
until the danger period has elapsed.
The first train to be inspected under this
order from the health officer was the Plant
System train reach here at
Southern train, that rolled into the
city an hour and half later, was also
subjected to an inspection of the same
character. The inspections will be con-
tinued regularly on all trains entering the
city from Tampa or the south. until dam
ger of infection from that point has passed
or another system of protection is subst!-
futed in their stead.
Dr. Brunner was asked If there had been
any change in the situation since the time
of his first statement to the Morning News.
snat was printed yesterday.
None he said. Il expect to receive
Tomorrow noon an expert opinion of
Vic Nliet4 dNASis tAttHN anu udiSST VI tH6
yellow fever situation at Tampa. and I'M
Ill this is received 1 do not feel in a po-
sition to say what measures of precaution
I shall adopt or urge upon the sanitary
board for the future protection of the
city. DIR. ]. Y. Porter, president of the
FLORIDA State Board of Health and Sur
geon ]. II. White. of the Marine Hos
pital service, are on their way 10 Tampa
and DIR. White. when he reaches that
city and has had time and opportunity
TO make his inspection will advise me of
the condition he finds. He is an expert
in the discovery and treatment of yellow
fever, and feel safe in relying upon the
information he will give me. shall be
guided largely by what he has To say"
DR.. White and DR.. Porter were both at
Key West when they received information
of the existence of yellow fever at Tam
pa. They sailed from Key West to MI
ami and there took train for Palatka,
whence they left for the scene of the
yellow fever scare or epidemic whichever
ID may turn out to be. They are expected
TO reach Tampa early this morning and
DR.. White has agreed to advise DIR. Brun-
ner as soon as he can make up his opin-
ion as to the facts.
The health officers of Augusta and
Brunswick communicated with DR.. Brun-
ner by telephone on yesterday and stated
that these cities would await the deter
nlnauon or savannah in the matter of
quarantine and would not close their gates
20 goods and passengers from Tampa I'M
Ill similar action had been taken here
This is a well-deserved recognition of the
ability of the health department of this
city to cope with epidemic diseases wher-
ever they exist, and IL has inspired the
health officer with a determination to de-
serve the trust, that is, if possible, more
fixed and absolute than when he was sad
died with the responsibility for the health
of his own city alone. It is understood that
Charleston is in the same position as
Brunswick and Augusta. and is likewise
awaiting the decision that DR.. Drummer
shall reach.
1T puts US on our mettle," said DR..
Drummer, land we certainly shall seek not
TO declare or delay the Inauguration of
quarantine regulations improperly"
1.-THE disease is clearly not yet epidemic
In Tampa" he continued, though sur
mise that there are more cases than have
been reported. My experience leads me
10 the conclusion that IL is about the
twenty-fifth case of yellow fever that is
discovered and identified as the disease
and fear that there are something like
that many cases i'm Tampa to-day. NV
advices from DR.. White will give me the
facts"
Should quarantine proclamation be is
sued and a force of inspectors be needed.
DR.. Drummer states that there would be