The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-03
THE PLAGUE AT SAN FRANCISCO
Surgeon General Wyman Makes n
Report on the situation.

Surgeon General Wyman Makes n
Report on the situation.
Surgeon General wyman of the Marine
Hospital Service, yesterday made public
the result Of the recent investigation into
the plague situation at San Francisco.
The report states that since January
of this year there have been ten cases of
plague there. all fatal, the deaths oc-
curing as follows: One on January 6.
two on January 10, and one each on Feb
ruary >. G. 7. 10. II. Il. and March >
As had been previously reported in Secre-
tary Cages last annual report to Congress
there were thirty-two deaths from plague
in San Francisco during 1900. making in
all forty-two cases since the first one was
discovered on March g. 1900 The recent
investigation was made by a scientific
commission appointed by Secretary Gage,
consisting of Prof. Simon Flexner. of the
University of Pennsylvania, chairman:
Prof. F. G. Novy. of the University of
Michigan. and Prof. l.. 5. Barker, of the
University of Chicago.
The commission was appointed at the
instance of the California State author
tiles and the business men of San Fran
cisco, who were not satisfied with the
findings of Dr. Kinyoun. representative
Francisco. Many were of the opinion
that kinyoun had erred in his diagnosis
of the cases in question and they were
opposed to the methods he had employed
to prevent the spread of the malady. Sew
eral times DR.. Kinyoun had quarantined
the city. resulting in considerable loss to
the commercial interests. Feeling ran
at high pitch against him and great pres
sure was brought to bear upon the treas
ury Department to remove him. The
secretary declined to do this, but AFTER
much persuasion he did agree to nave
the matter investigated by an independ-
ent scientific commission composed OIL
men of high professional standing not
connected with the Marine Hospital Serv-
ice or the Treasury Department in any
way Discussing the report of the COM
mission the Surgeon General says:
While the correctness of the diagnosis
has never been doubted by the Bureau of
the Department, it was deemed advisable
to summon an independent board of ex-
perts. On completion of their labors the
results of their investigation were imme-
diately communicated by them to the
Governor of California and the mayor and
representatives of the business interests
of San Francisco. Coincidently with the
ttNtipt VI tic ItppIi VI tht
at the bureau, committee representing
the business interests of San Francisco
and the mayor and the Governor of Cali
fornia arrived in washington, and con-
ference was held between 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 A written agreement
made for barmonious action in suppres-
s;ve measures, under the advice of Sur
eaon I n white who is on the grounds
..On the return of this committee to
San Francisco. Surgeon White wired. on
March 81 that they had agreed to raise
funds for immediate work as follows:
'Disinfect all infected houses. provide hos
initial for sIsDects detention houses. and
n,oreue. The general disinfection of China
town with bettermeur of light and air
space. Subsequent teiesrams show that
the work is being organized.
1.-The disease has been confined almost
exclusively TO the Chinese and an exami-
nation of the rnortuarv records of the
latter for the last four years shows that
there has been no time during that pc
riod when it has increased to such an ex-
tent as TO in itself 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 il is undetermined how
soon these cases may give rise to cases