The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
CHECkSO ON YELLOW FEVER.
GEN. FOODS RULES BASED ON Z
RIPERIENC CT Nv CUB4.
A system Of Prompt Isolation and D!sin-
fection-Conditions Under Which thu
Disease Occur~-Treatment of Patients
-Exnelicnra Of The American Irnnns

'ir ~ " 'h'ih
--Espe,ienc. Of the American Troops.
WASHINGTON. Jan, 20.-Goyernor General
Wood Of Cuba has issued TO the commanding ofh'
GERS Of each Of Cuban provinces special lnstruc.
tons regarding yellow fever and the precautions
10 take against II. The rules are based chiefly
upon the experience acquired since the occupation
OF Tuba by American troops. Gen. Wood says
yellow fever is mostly a disease Of ~seaconst
towns, but may occur in any part Of the island,
especially IL previously occupied by Spanish
troops, the latent germs becoming active under
favorable conditions this Is shown by the several
cases occurring al triSto and Palma SOriHno,
distant from the coast twelve and thirty miles
respectively and about 700 feet above sea level
The passing of one or even several years without
any case Is no guarantee against the subsequent
breaking out Of the disease, as was shown at
Man1anillo, II is exceedingly. probable that the
injection can be successfully bred in any town
on the island, and that none can safely dispense
with proper quarantine measures, Yellow fever
may occur any month IN the year, and medical
officers should be ready for II at all times. lti1
rare from Nov. l TO June |: nest frequent in June,
july, August and September, August having
been the worst month in Santiago under Spanish
regime Under American rue, in consequence
ofthe system Of prompt Isolation and disinfecuon
which may be expected. June and july are more
likely 10 show the largest number II cases, as hap
! pened in Santiago this past summer.
yellow fever is a place disease, and the first
step IN the management Of a case must he the
removal, not only Of the patient, but Of all sus.
cepuble persons from the infected place. Public
buildings, such as barracks, hospitals, prisons.
hotels, lodging houses and saloons, are particu
larry open TO suspicion, and, after May |, should
he carefully watched. As soon as one case can
be traced With any degree Of certainty 10 any such
building, prompt measures are called for; # It
occur in barracks occupied by Americans or other
non -lmmunes, early and complete evacuation ~
the only course 70 pursue,
The past summer in Santiago, four com
panies OF the Fifth Infantry, |. 5. A. left Their
infected barracks and went into two sepa rata
camps, each of the two companies, One camr.
pitched two miles away. did not have any more
cases after the first five days and was never novel
again. With the other camp, three moves were
necessary before the infection had completely
disappeared; the FIRST move, only 100 feet on,
side the barracks, 10 apparently clean. grassy
ground, was unsuccessful on account o. faulty
dlsiniechon. and perhaps the too close proximity
81 the fever focl; the second move, four miles away,
was immediately followed by decided results
AT Santiago, where the yellow fever hospital
Is on an island, there was also during the cpl
demlc OF last summer an observation station
on the city side Of the bay near the landing =
the hospital steam launch fOr the observaiior
Of patients and v%eriica ton Of diagnosis while
awaiting transportation to the hospital. This
station reduced the importance NJ the detention
camp which was hardly more than a place where
nonImmunes exposed to infection were hep,
under watch,
Each town where yellow fever is likely 10
occur should have a military sanitary officer
and under him as many physicians as special
eXgencles may require. This sanitary oLicer
should also have under his control one or two
squads Of Immune laborers with intelligent
oyerseers to do all the necessary dislnfectIon.
one or more ambu 1nces and one or more wagons.
these vehicles to be marked with a yellow flag
and used Tor no other purpose than the carry
ing of yellow fever patients and infected effects
or furniture. There should also be a disinfecting
plant, using both steam and furmaldehyde gas
Santiago, the Medical Department, besides
Its own plant, more or less perfected during tho
summer, had also the benefit Of the larger and
better equipped plant Of the Marine Hospital
Service when was put at its disposal. In
most towns II will be possible for military SAM.
tary officers and the Marine Hospital Serves
this Ia rn-NnaFnfp IN fnmhntnp tha infection
When yellow fever breaks out in a town. the
authorities SHOULD be at once Informed and an
Pealed to, SO WA! gu Necessary regulations NAV
lodging houses, clubs, aud saloons, should b-
promptly registered ut not already done) and
the frequently inspected by sanitary phy,
siclans. Non immuncs should not be slloasst
to enter the town, except by special authority,
and as many rs possible OF those already in town
should be sent 10 the country or deported
All physicians Will be eniuined, under a stated
penalty. 10 report within twelve hours all slls.
plctous cases under their care to the sanitary
officer likewise all keepers of public places 10
report at once all cases Of illness occurring in
their Establishments.
When q cas-, well marked or reasonably SUE
the sanitary officer will take possession of ,hs
premises and place them under guard. allowing
no one ~ enter or leave without PERMISSION. TIA
patient will be removed as soon as possible - IN.
detention camp or TO the hospital BY special am
hulhnre very exceptionally, when removal
would obviously e~ndanger life, the sanitary m
w. ''Ni VIZ w 'NA VI Nv NIl'l surgeon NAV
permit the patent to be kept aud treatd IN SIN
Inder suitable regulations until he improves
snilclenty 10 Justify his transfer 20 the hospital
Sucn a contingency should be avoided BY in.
SiStlng on the prompt report Of cases ~ that they
may he tranSferredln the early stage ~ the disease
Nlen deata occurs ia the Aouse the dislnfocted
body Will be- carried at once in special ambulance
20 the burial ground. All inmates Of the hous.
Will undergo diSinfectiOn, that is. take a suhlima,a
BAN ana have their wearing apparel boiled ~
subjected 70 steam or furmaldehyde At tina
same time, II possible, all clothing. bedding.
hdngings, carpets, fabrics, small and easily
removed articles Of furniture, &c, will be ..eu
out ana carried in sp AciNl wagon 10 the dlSp
iectinR plant In exceptional cases. where tha
pulldlng permits Of H. the disinfection Of clothing.
bedding &C. may be done in the house itself
II the sanitary officer so decides, by boiling and
exposure TO formaldehyde in a tight room. Til.
house, that is all the walls. roofs III accessible.
ceilings hoors and permanent furniture viii
then receive special treatment As most housas
III una consist Of several large rooms wlthou,
ceilings,. freely opening into each other and GOV
cred with leaky roofs, and furthermore. as thu
ample doors aud windows are without glass panrq
ana rather loosely httai. 4 results that tIr.ye
ton ny sulphur or formaldehyde gas is penprailr
unsuccessful and often entirely useless Su,n
iunlieatlon may he OCCASIONALLY applicable r.,
c9mparauvely small houses ur particular rooms
which can b, made quite in,per,ious, but. a. =
rule, II may he discarded
The spscial treatment advocated 4, the scr,pinr
OF tne walls and ceilings and their washing In a