The San Francisco call., 1901-11-19
LIMITED QUARANTINE.

TN HE proposition for quarantine against tuber-
culoss originated in California. Members of
the State Board felt that the widespread knowl-
edge of the clemency of climate working
hardship to the State by making it popular sani-
tarium for the victims of consumption That dis
ease was not indigenous here, but has been imported
and planted, it was in Minnesota and Colorado.
The proposal to stamp it by quarantine widely
discussed, but did pass beyond the academic stage
1t developed, however that California is not the
only sufferer. The rapid increase of the dreadful dis
ease is exciting widespread apprehension Not only
in this country but IN Europe physicians and people
are considering the way to preventive and remedial
measures. 1t has been proposed to find isolated
spot where the climate is favorable to treatment
and recovery OF patients and make that ofworlds
reservation for consumptves all the suffering nationa
sharing in providing everything that and scienSs
have suggested and discovered for their relief 1t
not generally known that commission of French ply
sicians and experts has been exploring the world fos
such location. They examined the oases of the Sa-
hara and some of the Asian deserts, and finally report
that the best conditions are indicated Las Cruces,
in New Mexico, not far from FL Paso, Texas. They
say that for radius of fifty miles from that point
there are the requisites Of dryness purity of air
stancy OF sunshine and all other physical conditions
most favorable to cure
The principle of natural selection had already
marked certain localities in Arizona and New Mexico
as the best for consumptves, and great numbers OF
the unfortunate have sought these for long time.
But this has developed danger arising in con-
tact on the trains. All the roads leading westward
carry great numbers of consumptives at certain
sons OF the year They in the Pullman cars, mixed
with other passengers and with no method of disin-
fecting their sputum. Their suffering exctes synpa
thy and the danger of with them fear
in their fellow travellers so that many journey in
tended for pleasure is anything but pleasant
So marked has this feature of Western travel be-
that the Travellers Association has taken the
matter up and has requested the Western Passenger
Associations arrange for limited railway quaran-
tine, by providing for their patients exclusively
to which others are not admitted We believe the
railways have concluded that they have the power
under the law of carriers to isolate class
OF passengers This is probably true, and if so, the
movement must aim at reinforcement of the request
for isolation by amendments to the interstate com
law which will relieve the railways of their legal
liability to passengers whom they refuse access to
any part of train If this is DONE the roads may run
each train an invalid car or on stated days hos
pita train; in either special provision may be
made for the comfort of patients and they may enjoy
many advantages required by their condition which
they do not have now.
Thousands of travellers appreciate the need of this
limited quarantine If would be well if the organiza-
ton that has started it have some place in Chicago
where travellers may join in signing petition to Con-
gress for the needed legislation In that way strong
backing could be secured that will push the plan to
success, which will be highly appreciated by the
general public, and will come to be just as popular
with the patients who are its benehcaries