The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-03
PLAGUE AT FRISCO
Experts, After Investigation, Made a
Report

Washington, April 2.-The plague situa-
ton at San Francisco is summarized in
a statement, published in this weeks is
sue of the public heaICh reports of the
marine hospital service, which is just out.
The statement is brief, and the facts
given in it are taken from the long
awaited report Of the commission Of eX-
perts which made a special investiga-
ton. The statement shows that there
have been ten cases of plague in San
Francisco officially reported since the be-
ginning of the year, all of them being IA
tai. The number of cases and deaths
on each date mentioned are Identical.
They comprise two on January 15 and
one each on Feb. 3, 6, Z, 10, II and March
Il. The six cases. The six cases and
deaths in February were reported by a
special commission appointed by the sec
rotary of the treasury to examine into the
plague situation in San Francisco. This
commission consisted Of Prof. Simon Eek
ner of the University of Pennsylvania,
chairman; Prof. F. G. NOvy of the Uni
versity of Michigan and Prof. L. S. Bar
ker of the University of Chicago, re-
corder Continuing The statement says:
Plague has ben reported in San Fran
cisco officially in the public health re-
ports since March 6, 1900; thirty-twO cases
(all fataD having been reported and pub
1ished in previous numbers of the public
health report, and the facts were re-
ported in the last annual report to con-
gress Of the secretary of the treasury.
while the correctness of the diagnosis
has never been doubted by the bureau
or the department, it was deemed advis-
able to summon the Independent board Of
experts. The results of their investiga
tons, as outlined above, were Immediate
~ communicated by them to the COVER
nor of California and the mayor and
representa- tives of the business interests
of San Francisco, and full copies of the
report subsequently furnished Coinci-
IDENTIFY with the receipt Of the report of
the commission at the bureau, a commit
tee representing the business interests of
San Francisco and the mayor and the
governor of California arrived in Wash
ington, and a conference was held be-
tween this committee and the secretary
Of the treasury and the surgeon general
of the marine hospital service, in which
conference all the facts were discussed,
and written agreement made for har-
nOnious action in a suppressive measure
under the advice of Surgeon J. II. White,
who is on the ground.
ION the return of this committee to
San Francisco, Surgeon White wired on
March p, that they had agreed to raise
funds for immediate work. as follows:
ITO disinfect all infected houses, pro-
vide hospital for suspects, detention
houses and morgue. The general disin-
lection of Chinatown, with betterment of
light and air space.
Subsequent kilograms show that the
work is being organized.
The disease has been confined almost
exclusively to the Chinese. and an ex-
animation Of the mortuary records of
the latter for the last four years show
that there has been no time during that
period when it has increased. to such an
extent to cause alarm.
THE prevailing type so far as known
is of the bubonic form, which, according
to NJ. De Brun, is of a mildly contagious
character, but it is undetermined how
soon these cases may give rise TO cases
of a graver and more contagious form
of the disease, which emphasizes the ne
cessity OF prompt and thorough meas
ures to eradicate every form Of the dis
ease