Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-02
THE PLAGUE SITUATION.
Ten Cases oficiaily Reported in San
francisco,

Washington, April 2,--The plague sit
uation at San Francisco is summarized
in a statement. published in this weeks
issue of the health reports Of the marine
hospital service which is tust out The
statement is brief and the facts given
in 1t are taken froIahe long-awaited
report Of the committee Of experts
which made a special investigation
This statement shows there have been
ten cases OF plague in San Francisco
officially reportea Since the beginning
OF the year. all of them being fatal. The
number. Of cases and deaths on each
date mentioned are identical They
comprise two on January 18th and one
each. ON January 9Th. February5th, 9Th
9TH, 10th, 18th and 18th and March End.
The six cases and deaths in February
were reported by special commission
appointed by,she secretary Of the treas
ury to examine into the plague situa-
ton in San Francisco. This commits
sion consisted OF Prof. Simon Flexner,
Of the University OF Pennsylvania,
chairman Prof f. T.. G. Novy, Of the
University Of Michigan. and Prof l.. s.
Barker OF the University of Chicago,
regarded Continuing, the statement
says:
Plague has been reported In San
Fraicisco officially in the public health
reports since March 6, 1900. thirty-two
cases, can fatal having been reported
and published in previous numbers Of
the public health reports, and the facts
were reported in the last annual report
to Congress Of the secretara OF the
treasury.
While the correctness OF the dagno-
sis has never been. doubted by the bu-
reau or department, 1t was deemed ad-
visable to summons the independent
board OF experts. The results of their
Investigations as outlined above were
Immediately communicated by them TO
the governor OF California and
the mayor and representatives
Of the business interests OF San Fran
cisco and fun copies of the reports sub
sequently were furnished. CONFIDENT
ally with the receipt Of the report OF
the committee at the bureau. a COM
mittee representing the business in
terests OF San Francisco and the mayor
and the governor OF California, arrived
IN Washington and conference was
held between this committee and the
secretary or the treasury and surgeon
general OF the marine hospital service.
IN which conference all the facts were
discussed and a written agreement
made for harmonious action In sup
pTessive measures under the advice of
GflTpApn 1 L. ufh L. FL
ground
ION the return Of this committee 10
San Francisco, Surgeon White wired
on March 90. that they had agreed to
raise funds for immediate work az fol-
lows:
"Dldnfect all infected houses. provide
hospital for suspects, detention houses
and morgue. The general disinfection
of Chinatown, with betterment Of light
and afr space.
Subsequent telegranls show that the
work Is being organized.
1.-THE disease has been confined almost
exclusively 10 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 II has Increased TO such an
extent as TO itself cause alarm.
THE prevailing type so far as known
Is Of the bubonIc form which according
TO NJ. DeBruln Is OF mildly contagious
character but II Is undetermined how
soon these cases may give rise TO cases
OF graver and more contagious form
OF the disease, which emphasizes the
necessity OF prompt and thorough mea-
sures 10 eradicate every form OF the
disease"