Graham guardian., 1901-03-22
EMBARGO ON RATS.
Measures Adopted BY the Health
aaard Of Louisiana.
Regulations GsverAtns the Unio..
Ing of ships 10 KesD the Peat
Breeding Rodents frsn Laaa.
inE--rsers of the PLs<us,

Ever since the dreaded bubopi,
plague made it's appearance the caus,
OF its spread and means to prevent
injection from it has been the stud,
OF scientific men all over the world
One theory has been tolerably thor.
| oughly established, and this is that
the ordinary ship rat has been and ID
the chief factor in the spread of the
infection, says the ST. Louis Globe
Democrat.
When the disease made its appear
ance in Honolulu, and while efforts
were being made TO stamp it out, this
fact was recognized, and strict meas
ures were employed TO guard against
the transfer of rats from ships which
had touched at infected ports 70 the
island.
Now the attention of the people Of
the United States is directed to the
coast cities Of Brazil, where the dis
ease has been reported Our close
commercial relations with that coun-
try, particularly in the importation of
great quantities Of coffee, make an
absolutely close quarantine against
the ports almost aR impossibility.
To devise and put in force a system
Of careful disinfection, the Louisiana
state board of health has promulgated
regulations governing the unloading
Of coffee ships from the suspected
South American ports, which. almost
from first to last, are aimed against
the rat. The board proceeded. in
framing the rules. on the theory that
the rat family is the medium OF ia
fection from plague-stricken ports
most TO be feared, and these are the
regulations which were evolved as
result of this theory:
Coffee ships from infected ports
shall be thoroughly disinfected at the
quarantine station and detained there
five days, being dsinfected on the
fourth cay. The vessel may then
come to the city and anchor 100 feet
from the wharf. ii being calculated
that rat which tried to swim this
distance would drown.
After daylight the vessel may be
hauled in 20 within not less than 45 |
feet of her wharf by means of haws-
ers, each of which shall be provided |
with a system of metal tunnels and |
disks, TO prevent the passage OF rats /
These tunnels must be Of tin, zinc or
galvanized iron. with a diameter OF |
not less than 20 inches. and must have
Iharp serrated edges, and must be
hinged, to permit of close adaptation
10 the bnwsers. The metal disks
must be CT the same material, and
must also be fitted with sharp edges.
Nhen within IS feet of the wharf, the
equations provide that stagings
hail be n.aced, across which the un-
oading must be done. While unload
ng Is ccirr on the regulations pro-
ide that men with shotguns" shall /,
watch the staglngs and holds for
ats, and shall kill all rats Oh sight.
The man in charge must also keep
nen with shotsuns in skiffs on each ;
ide of the vessel" lest the unfortu-
ate animals should attempt TO escape
y jumping overheard Not later
han sunset each day the hawsers
1ust be hauled On board and the ve.-
Ell draw of to her anchorage. The
ules significantly state that rubber
loves shall be used in handling dead
ats" and that dead rats shall be J
The secretary of the board was :
usily engaged in seeing the agents of
Office ships and securing their sc- ,
uiescence in the regulations. II 10
rovided that all the expenses of the
are to be borne by the ves- ,
u.
The rules are effective at once.
heir publication caused a great deal
comment, especially the portions ,
sferring to rats, which caused as :
uch laughter as criticism. The 4
bard says that the rat is the most
lngerous factor in the spread Of the I
ague, and that unless the ruI are :