The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-04-24
Preventing Yellow Fever.
MOSQUITOES TO BE EX-
TERMINATED AS THE
FIRST STEP.
New Methods Adopted by the
United States Health De-
partment.

Washington, April II Surgeon
General Sternburg has just given hi'
approval, without reservation, to che
report of the special board composed
of Surgeons Reed, Carroll aud Agra
monte upoa the "etiology of yellow
fever" in which the conclusion was
reached 'that the mosquito is respon
sible for ehe transmission of this fel
disease Moreover, the medica
department of the army is moving
energesicaIly to put into practical
operation methods Of treatment fol
the prevention of yellow fever. in-
volvipg q radical reversal of existing
methods, which form the basis of the
report
Today, Surgeon General sternburg
formally approved circulag prepar
ed by Chief Surgeon Havsrd at
Rabana, vith this endorsement
"ln my opinion the present state
of our knowledge folly justi6es the
publication Of this circular"
The texs Of the circular which will
form the instructions for all medical
officers in the army in treating fever
is attached The general orders re
ferred TO under head one provide for
the liberal use of coal oil TO prevent
the hatchiag out of mosquito eggs
The circular says:
.The recent experiments made in
Habana by the medical department
Of the army having proved that yell
low fever, like malariai fever. is con
yeved chiefly. aud probably exclu
si1ely, by the bite of injected mos
ouitoes, important changes in the
measures used for the prevention and
treatment Of this disease haze become
necessary
$50 far as yellow fever is concern
ed. infection of room or building
s:molv means that it contain infected
mosquitoes, that is, mosquitoes which
have fed on yellow fever patients
.Disinfeclion. therefore, means the
employment of measures aimed at she
destruction of these mosquitoes
The most effective OF these measures
is fum;gasion, either with sulphur
S formaIdehyde or insect powder. The
se..e of sninhnr are the quickest and
the most effective iasecsiclde' out
are Otherwise Objectionable. For.
maldebyde ma gas is quite effective If
.be .e'0 Safsoted rooms are kept closed
and seated for two OF three hours.
The The smoke of insect powder has also
teen proved useful it readily ssupe,
,ses ses' posouisoes. pre which drop to tina
zaoor and Can be easily destroyed
The washing of walls, aoors, celI
mos and furniture With disinfecssnts
is unnecessary
yellow fever cannot be conveyed oy
bedding. clothing. effects and oag
gage. they need not be suolec5 TO
eDy special disinfectiop Care
should be taken, however, not to re
move them from the infected rooms
until after foymaldehyde fumigaslop'
so that they may not naTooF any IN
fecsed mosquitoes
medical officers taking care
yellow fever patients need not be
isolated they can attend o'heF
patients aud associate with non
immunes with perfect safety to the
garrison Nurses and attendants
taking care of yellow fever patients
shan remein isolated, so as to aVo'o
any possible danger Of them convey
ing mosquitoes from patients to non
immunes
"Na'arisl fever. !ii;e yellow fever
is communicated by mosquito bites,
and is just as much OF an infection
disease aad requires the sane meas
ures of protection against mosquitoes
On .be assumption that mosquitoes
remain in the vicinity Of their breed
ing places, or never travel far. the
pre7aience of malarial fever at post
would Indicate want of proper care
and diligence on the part Of the su'
geon and commanding officer
ssaiogton, April II "A pension
of So month today was granted &c
" P.ankin-idms uidoW O.