New-York tribune., 1901-06-08
EUROPEANS MAY ALLA7E.
VIEWS OF PROMINENT MEDICAL MEN ON
THE TUBERCULOSIS RULING.
DIR. BIGGs DECLARES IT Is UNNECESSARY
INHUMAN AND UNSCIENTIFIC.

DR. BIGGs DECLARES IT Is UNNECESSARY,
INHUMAN AND UNsCIENTIFIC.
Some of the leading physicians of this city
think that the order issued by t. V. Powderly,
Commissioner-Cieneral of immigration. debar-
ring immigrants affected with tuberculosis Of
the lungs from entering this country. may result
in some countries adopting retaliatory measures.
They further think that these probable meas
ures may be Of such nature that consumptives
who might be benefited by trip abroad may
be compelled 10 stay here, and that the stand
taken by this government in dealing with immi-
grants having tuberculosis may. moreover. lead
to action by States and municipalities which
would practically keep consumptives at home
Commissioner Powderly's order has also given
rise to the question as TO what diseases are COM
municable and those that are contagious.
Tribune reporter yesterday had a talk with Drs.
T Mitchell Prudden. Herman NJ. Biggs. Ed
ward c. Janeway and A. H. Doty. the Health
officer Of this port.
Or. Prudden was found in his laboratory in
the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He
said:
This is TO he said first, that there is a great
group Of serious diseases, which are excited by
These are called infectious diseases.
The key to the great advances which medicine
Of the agent which inctes these diseases. When
disease in which tPa nrssnism Causing II is con
yeyed from one person TO another OF course, the
ease is a process in the Individual There are two
great groups of these infectious diseases One Of
these Is that in which the. micrO-organisms are
very readily transmitted through the air such as
smallpox scarlatina measles etc These are more
properly spoken % contagious diseases. All
the rest. which make up the second class. are
eases. and whether they are likely to be conveyed
from the sick 10 the well depends very largely upon
berculosis is, in this sense. communicable dis
not making the distinction lies in the fact that
in the public mind consumption and other diseases
involving much greater risk of communication
such smallpox and scarlatina-
Health authorities must deal with both Of these
classes Of diseases but while in one class the pre-
more simple and less vigorous measures
usually all that are required.
What do you think of the order regarding the
deportation of immigrants suffering with tuber-
culosis of the lungs?" asked.
have heard that an order has been issued which
VIII involve the immediate return Of all tuber-
as 10 the scope ana rgor or the enforcement OF the
order / should not be justified in giving opn-
seems me. might often occasion serious and per
haps unwaTrantable hardship upon persons
riyng this port. II seems to me that the better
eXan1inat5o, ~ ;,,,1ieysnts az tbe rori - ~ 60,
baTkauon, a practice which, i believe. has been
pursued with very excellent results in many in
t6t 49, t ,, II 1pears 10 10 me M Iur a., more
persons with pulmonary tuberculosis on the other
the voyage to fellow Immigrants which in the
crowded and unsanitary conditions Of the steerage
might be very great
Or. Doty said:
Commissioner Fitchie's statement in this morn
ings Tribune that cases of tuberculosis can be
received With Some eurnrjse b ib r1edicaI ro %
a eK KpeT Tiarl Of
tsing physicians that diagnosis Of this disease
physical examination. but the necessity for a bac-
teriologlcal examination also. The protection Of
the public against tuberculosis is subject which
has long occupied the close attention Of the med
ganism Of this disease was discovered. We have
yet fully decided upon the most practical
towns at the present time persons suffering from
consumption are, as a rule, allowed 10 come and
public places without restriction. Therefore. ef-
forts on the part OF the United States Government
TO prevent the immigration TO this country Of
be Consistent and nracticaI In connTction with
fact that tuberculosis Is constantly in midst
and that its propagation is due 10 the free com
munication which exists between the public and
eases Of this character. rather than the importa-
It is fair to assume that, as rule emigrants
bound for the United States come with the idea OF
securing some means of employment and are In
physical condition TO earn their living Statistics
among lheh many cases OF tupeIculosls OF con-
sumption In advanced stage. In the early stages
grants who become infected may reach the United
States and pass to the interior Of the country with
out presenting any evidence Of tuberculosis Just
how much they add TO its general propagation
cannot be estimated although l am quite certain Il
does not largely increase the number OF II
II is the intention Of the United States Government
simply TO prevent the entrance into this country OF
persons suffering from tuberculosis in the advanced
stages, il is only necessary TO prohibit their en-
barkatiOn at the port OF departure. one two
weeks. which may be the length Of the Journey
here, would probably make but little change in the
condition Of the patient; therefore, the disease
could be : easily detected at foreign port as in
New-York IT, on the other hand Il is intended TO
detect tuberculosis in all stages, the examina ton
ThSre emigrants come from the interior In COM
paratiVely small groups, and usually present them
selves at the steamship company's Office two or
three days before the departure Of the vessel thus
giving considerable time for a careful inspection.
whereas here they unloaded at the rate OF over
one thousand a day throughout the year.
In order detect the disease in the early stages
at United States ports. IL would practically mean
that all steerage passengers arriving must be
subjected TO a careful physical eXaminat ation as no
reputable physician would be willing 10 make a
diagnosis of tuberculosis without examination
Of this character Nothing clearly indicates the
transition from old TO new methods in marine sani-
tation appreciation OF the great value of
careful inspection Of passengers and crew neces-
sary disinfectiOn, etc at the port OF embarkation
II IL is declared by this government that of
tuberculosis shall not enter the United States their
detection at the port Of departure instead of the
port of destination, Is not only in conformity with
money for the immigrant, who Ill afford be
returned after he has spent his savings for trans
portation to this country. Furthermore this meth
cd would better prevent infection which possibly