The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-22
IMPORTANT MEETING
Continued from Page L.

WI Sll hIAlN Tvs = l. ~
Continued from Page L.
In reply to a question of what to do
about rats the speaker said he had
little hopes Of doing much of anything
with them; a few might be caught
alive in traps. These should be killed
and burned. He did not advise at
tempting to poison them; that might
kill a few, but the rest would be liza
bic to become frightened and scatter.
If a dead rat were found he would ad-
wise that it be handled on the end of a
long pole and thoroughly burned and
the spot where it was found burned
also.
As to Remedies.
There is no medicinal remedy for
plague known: a serum has been dis
covered which is obtained by making
a culture of the germ, killing it and
then securing an extract from the
dead germ. This is a prophylactiC; il
should be used before the case deyel-
ops, TO be most effective, although it
has worked well when used in the ear
ly stages. 1t is very powerful and has
been very successful elsewhere. The
Board of Health is now engaged in the
attempt to produce some of this serum,
although it will be some time before
it is ready.
When it is Infections.
In reply to the question when a
plague patient first became capable of
transmitting the infection. he replied
that it was probably only after the
case was we'll developed, except from
the urine, which was very early
charged with germs, and, together with
other excreta, was the most dangerous
method of transmitting the infection.
Fire and Disinfectants.
The speaker recommended that ev-
erything be burned above ground, and
to saturate with sulphuric acid every
thing that could not be burned. 5
per cent solution of sulphuric acid was
deadly to the plague germ. 1t is bet
ter to buy the sulphuric acid already
diluted to prevent accident. If mixed
away from the drug store it is asked
that water be not poured into the acid,
as there is danger of an explosion. The
acid should be poured into plenty of
water.
CarbOlic or sublimate soap were good
for the hands. A per cent sulphuric
acid solution will not injure the hands
or clothing.
Mr.. Manson stated that the Pacific
Fertilizer Works manufactured large
quantities of sulphuric acid.
George w. Smith said that the ferti-
lizer works did not wish to handle re-
tail business, but were selling the acid
through Benson & Smith, who were
making no profit thereon, but simply
acting as a distributing center. Any
quantity desired could be obtained at
Benson & Smiths.
\ . per cent solution of acid would
not be injurious to pigs if used in
washing out their styes.
\. p. Wood inquired what could be
done if persons refused or failed TO
cleanse vaults and cesspoOls. Mr..
Thurston replied that if all endeavors
on the part of inspectors failed. the
committee would enforce the law. If
tenants were too poor to do the work,
landlords were equally responsible
with tenants.
Closing Business Honses.
The meeting adopted unanimously a
resolution that it is the sense of this
meeting that the business houses open
at 10 i'm the morning and close at 8 in
the afternoon, so as to give ample time
for inspection and to enable more
clerks to d. inspection duty.
a. V. Gear suggested that centers
for the sale of disinfectants be estab-
lished in the different districts: that a
small storekeeper in his district had
been induced to procure some and had
sold a large amount.
s. VI. BallOu suggested to the inspect
ors that they inspect each house as
though they had information that
plague case were concealed in the dis
trict which they were seeking to dis
cover.
f. c. White asked If every house was
10 be examined every day. Mr.. Thurs
ton replied that it should be. Every
person ought to be examined twice
day, and there was no certainty that
every one was seen unless the houses
we're examined.
President Dole stated that he was
much pleased with the meeting and the I.
spirit of thorOughness shown. He
heartily approved of the most minute |
inspection, and thought no distinction /.
should be made between nationalities:
that in the present crisis the Board of /
Health was practically the Govern |
ment; that the other executive mem
oers OF the Government were standing /
at the elbow of the Board of Health /
ready to back it up in any and every
necessary measure
Inspectors responsibilities.
Mr.. McClanahan urged that inspect
0rs and sub-inspectors feel a greater
of personal responsibility: that
upon them. even more than upon the
Board of Health, rested the RESPONSE !
oility of suppressing the plague: that