The Red Cloud chief., 1901-03-15
EMBARGO ON RATS.
Measures Adopted by the Health
Board Of Louisiana.
Regulations Governing the Unlosa~
isx of ships to Keep the Pest
Breeding Rodents from Land
fns-Fesrs of the Plague.

Ever since the dreaded bubonic
plague made its appearance the cause
of its spread and means to prevent
infection from it has been the study
of scientific men all over the world.
One theory has been to.erabIy thor
oughly established, and this is that
the ordinary ship rat has been and is
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 to the
island.
Now the attention Of the people Of
the United Ststes 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 an impossibility.
To devise and put in force 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 in
fection from plague-stricken ports
most to be feared. and these are the
regulations which were evolved as a
result of this theory:
Coffee ships from infected ports
shall be thoroughly disinfected at the
quarantine station and detained there
five days, being disinfected on he
fourth day. The vessel may then
come to the city and anchor 100 feet
from the wharf. it being calculated
that rat which tried to swim this
distance would drown.
After daylight the vessel may be
hauled in to within not Less than 4t
feet OF her wharf by means OF haws'
ers, each OF which shall be provided
with system of metal tunnels and
disks, to prevent the passage OF rats
These tunnels must be of tin, zinc or
galvanized iron. with diameter OF
not less than 30 inches, and must have
sharp serrated edges, and must he
hinged, to permit of close adaptation
to the hawsers. The metal disks
must be OF the same material, and
must also be fitted with sharp edges
When within i5 feet Of the wharf. the
regulations provide that stagings
shall be placed, across which the un
loading must be done. While unload
ing is going on the regulations pro
vide that "men with shotguns" shall
watch the stagings and holds foI
rats, and shall kill all rats on sight
The man in charge must also "keeT
men with shotguns in skiffs on eacf
side OF the vessel" lest the unfortu
nate animals should attempt to escape
by jumping overheard. Not later
than sunset each day the hawser'
must be hauled on board and the YES
sci draw off to her anchorage. Tn,
rules significantly state that "rubbe1
gloves shall be used in handling deat
rats" and that dead rats shall b,
cremated."
The secretary of the board wal
busily engaged in seeing the agents o
coffee ships and securing their &C
+ quiescence in the regulations. 1t Il
provided that all the expenses OF tn,
quarantine are to be borne by the YES
sell
The rules are effective at once
Their publication caused great dea
Of comment, especially the portion
referring to rats, which caused a
much laughter as criticism. Tn
board says that the rat is the mos
dangerous factor in the spread of tn
plague, and that unless the rules ar
complied with the importation of coi
fee must stop.