Graham guardian., 1901-03-22
EMBARGO ON RATS,
Measures Aa,>Ntsd by the Health
RoarA ~ saisiana.
Regulations Gsvesntzw tAs
in@ of ships 20 Keev the i'e~
Breeding RSeonts frsE Lanai
sng-Eeaxs Of che Plague.

Ever since the dreaded bubeEio
plague made its appearance the cause
Of fits spread and means to prevent
Infection from IL has seen the study
Of scientific men all over the world
One theory has beeA toIersbIy thor
Oughly established, and this 10 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.
sRce in Honolulu, and while Efforts
were being made 70 stsmp il out, this
fact was recognized, and strict meas
'lres were employed 10 gusrd against
the transfer OF rats trozn ahips which
had touched at infected ports 10 the
island.
Now the attention Of the people OF
the United States 10 directed 70 the
coast eities 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
che ports almest an inpossibility.
To devise and put in force system
of careful disinfeetioa, 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. lsst, are aimed against
the rat. Tho board proceeded, in |
fra ming the rules. on the theory that |
the rat family is the medium Of in.
seetioA from plague.stricken port.
Rest 10 be fvared, aud these are the
regulations which were evolved as
result Of this theory:
Coffee ships from infected ports !
shall be thoroughly disinfected st the /
quarantine station and detained there
Hys days, being disinfected on the
fourth uny. The vessel may then
come to the city and anchor 100 feet
from the wharf. it being calculated
that rat which tried 20 swim this
distance would drown,
After daylight the vessel may be
hauled IN to within Rot less than Is
'eet OF her wharf by means OF haws-
,rs, each OF which shall be provided
With system of metal tunnels and
iisks, to prevent the passage OF rats.
These tunnels must be of tin. zinc or
galvanized iron, with a diameter of
lot less than 20 inches, and must have
harp scrrated edges. and must he
hinged. to permit of close adaptation
o the hswsers. The metal diskS
must he OF the same material, and
must also be fitted with sharp edges.
VheR within 4s feet OF the wharf. the
egulstions provide that staglnge
hall be paced, aeross which the uu-
Dading must he done While unload
M Is poi"c on the regulations pro- !
ide that men with shotguns" shall y
'ateh the stagings and holds for
ats, and shall kill all rats on sight. /,
he man In charge must also keep
len with shotguns in skiffs on each !,
de Of the vessel" lest the unfortu. a
ate animals should attempt 70 escape !,
y jumping overheard Not later !,
san sunset each day the hawsera
Iust be hauled sA board and the yes
Il draw on ts her anchorage. The
Hes significantly state that rubber Q
loves shall be used in handling dead =
IT'S" and that dead rate shall be y
The secretary of the board was =
Isify engaged in seeing the aKents OF. : :
'ffes ships and securing their ac- :, =
liescence in the regulations. 1t 10 =
'ovided that all the expenses of the :,
iarantins are to be borne by the YES ;. =
j,
The rules are effective at once, ~
heir publication caused great deal :, :
comment, especially the portions :,
ferring 10 rats, which caused as a,
uch laughter ss criticism. The a,
ard says that the rat is the most :,
ngerous factor in the spread of the I,
ague, and that unless the rules are 4
implied with the importation Of cot a
. must stop. a