The Washington times., 1901-11-21
QUARANTINE RULES
TO BE MODIFIED.
WAR DEPARTMENT FOR REFORM.
Ship Passengers to BE Relieved
From FumigatiOn-surGe Gem
ernI Charges HOsquito with
the Spread of Disease.

American travellers who have been de-
vented from landing until the health regu-
lations had been fulfilled will heave a
sigh Of relief to learn of the probability
Of a decided modification of the present
restrictions as soon as official action 10
that end can be taken.
Though there will be a great deal of
red tape to dispose OF before the con-
templated reform OF the present regula-
tions is assured, confidence is expressed
by the officials interested that recent in
yestigations will aid them effectively in
demonstrating the correctness of their
views. Delay is most likely to ensue
from the fact that both the War and
treasury departments are concerned, and
the officials OF each viii have to be salts
fed that the health of the nation will
not ue in any way endangered by the con-
templated relaxation of the present OBJ
noxious, yet heretofore considered neces-
sary, regulations.
To Exempt South American Ports.
The changes recommended by the War
Department apply to all the steamship
lines running between the leading sea-
board cities of the United States and the
South American and Caribbean Sea ports.
For some time past the officials OF the
Surgeon Generals Office of the War De-
partment have been investigating the
causes and dangers of the transmission
of disease among passengers from South
American and tropical cities in general
to this country. The menace of yellow
fever has always caused great uneasiness
to the Government officials at ports of
entry and to the Marine Hospital Service.
Their efficient labors have been uni
formly successful in the past in prevent
ing great inroads of the dread disease at
any place in this country. The effort has
been considered quite worth the while. in
spite Of the inconvenience to the travellers
uncontamnated by any sickness feared
or actually existing on board. In the in
terest Of the public health these severe
conditions have been maintained and are
now in force.
The Mosquito Responsible.
As the result of the Investigations re-
ferred to. however, Surgeon General
Sternberg feels confidence in a reform
which promises to amount practically TO
a revolution in the obnoxious method OF
fumi ga ting the effects of passengers on
incoming vessels from South and Central
American ports. The grounds for, this be-
lief are the reports upon that very annoy
Ing but not generally considered danger
Gus source of complaint, the mosquito.
The Surgeon General, since perusing all
the reports made to his bureau by officers
- 81. JUar Danartmapt. s.ryiuP rnder
him, is now firmly of the opinion that the
danger of contagion does not lurk in the
personal effects of tourists, and that the
detention Of the latter at ports of entry (
is therefore unwarranted. He is con-
WINGED. on the other hand. that the mos
quito is responsible for carrying the
germs Of disease and believes that atten-
tion directed 20 thet: determination would
be time better spent than in fumigatns
the effects of passengers on board ships.
A general fumigation of incoming yes -
sells is likely to be insisted upon for some I
time to come, but the present regulations /
of the health service at quarantine sta I
tions win doubtless be changed to con- /
siderable extent in the near future by ;
reason of these Investigations. II Gen
eral Sternberg's recommendations are
viewed with as much favor as is expected .
from the scientific results obtained lately. (
the changes in the general health regula-
tions will be promptly ordered by the !
Treasury Department officials
A Clash of Authority
There are apt to be many diverse views
and expressions of opinion as to the ad-
visibility of reducing the restrictions
now imposed. and clash between the
two departments is by no means remote.
When the subject is officially brought up
for action the burden of proof will be
placed upon the War Department repre-
sentatives, but General Sternberg is san
guine of convincing the Treasury officials
1f the uselessness of continuing the pres
snt regulations II the danger is met. as
he claims can now be done, by disposing
lf the mosquito.
TO CURE 4 COLD IN ONE DAY
Take Laxative Bromo Quininc Tablets All drug
,ists refund the money il it fails to cure. /. W
groyars SIGNATURE is each box. 2JC-