Evening star., 1900-10-06
Efficiency Of the Quarantine System
Demonstrated.
NOT A Case OF FEVER IN COUNTRY
Steps Taken by the Marine Hos
pitaI Service.
THE CUBAN REGULATIONS

Surgeon General Wyman of the marine
hospital service has written as follows re-
garding the efficiency of the quarantine
system in an article he has prepared for the
New York Medical Journal:
For the first time in four seasons the
quarantine year just drawing to q close
has been free from yellow fever in the
United States, and the season is now so far
advanced as to give assurance against an
epidemic. This fact Is a cause for special
congratulation, particularly as the fever
has prevailed in a greater or less degree
during each of the three preceding sum-
mers and falls.
Havana and Vera Cruz have been the
chief points Of danger to the United States,
and special precautionary measures were
taken by the quarantine service to prevent
cases from these ports entering the United
States on vessels. Isolation for the stand
ard term was In every case made imperative,
and not once was a fever patient landed
until all danger had passed. The smaller
towns on the Pacific coast of Central Amer
lea are, many Of them. In a wretched sanf-
tary condition, while Guayaquil, in Ecua-
dor, has been notorious as a breeder of the
dread scourge In this latter case 1t Is
gratifying to learn that the city ts now un-
dergoing a complete and modernized sewer
age system. under the direct supervision OF
an American engineer. Mr.. Wade.
In one or two Of the Central American
fruit ports there have been a few cases of
Merida, Mexico. have had few cases, but
they have been confined to their place OF
inception.
Early steps Taken.
The strict quarantine season closes with
the end Of October, after which time an
epidemic in this country would be impossi-
bic, although at no time is the work or
inspection at all lax Early in the season
protective measures were taken by the ma
rine hospital service with regard to all
suspected yellow fever ports, these opera
tions having begun with the tour OF Act
ing Assistant Surgeon Hodgson, who visited
and inspected all of the coast towns In
Central America. on both the Atlantic ana
Pacific sides. His reports have already
been incorporated in the public health re-
ports.
At the beginning of the quarantine sea-
son the marine hospital service appointed
seven acting assistant surgeons In as many
cities on the Atlantic coast of Central
America at the fruit ports to put In opera
ton measures which would enable 1rult
cargoes to be unloaded at American ports
without unnecessary detention at quaran.
tine and the consequent probable loss OF
the entire cargoes. So careful were these
measures taken, and so rigidiy enforced
that fruit was landed promptly and not
single case of fever permitted to enter the
United States. even when cases In the port
of sailing were subsequently discovered.
In Mexico and on the Border
At Vera Cruz a surgeon Of the marine
hcspital service kept a vigilant eye on all
people who left for the United States over
land. and at Eagle Pass. Laredo and Ell
Paso. In Texas on the Mexican border,
quarantine officers are still stationed to de-
tect and stop all suspected fever cases
holding every person hailing from an In
fected area for time sufficient to cover
the incuba ton period Of the disease
In Cuba there has been no serious out
break except in Havana, and at that point
the service has had three establishments
one at Mariel, twenty miles from Havana,
where all vessels were rigidly Quarantfned; !;
the disinfecting steamer Senator, the duty
OF which was to disinfect all vessels bound
for the United States, and the shore plant
for the pursuance of the same work In re
gard to departing baggage. this class or
freight from all Cuban ports bound for the
United States being In every case subjected
to inspection, disnfection and labelling fol-
lowing when necessary. All baggage from
Havana Is disinfected without exception.
This work has been under the efficient d.
rection of Chief Quarantine Officer Glen
nan, M. H. s., who has worked harmonious
ly with Gen. Wood. the result being the
most satisfactory quarantine regulations
that have prevailed in Cuban ports In the
history Of that island.