The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-29
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
OF RATS ExTERMINATED.
Prevented Spread of Cholera to
Philippines md United States
REPrRIIC SPECIAL

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Washington. Sept. 2S.-Determined war
fare by the quarantine officer, against
rats. which are conveyors of bubonic plague
baciiii. has resulted in the total extermina-
ton of that disease in Manila. Despite the
fact that the plague ragged In Hong-kong.
Annoy and other Chinese ports. there Is lit
tie trace of IL in the Philippines In the
annual report OF Chief Quarantine Officer
j. c. Perry. just received at the Bureau Jf
InSular Affairs. War Department. II con-
tained an interesting account Of the fight
made against the rodents. He says:
''On December Ia il having previously been
demonstrated that the rats in Manila were
affected with plague to the extent OF from
H. to per cent. and In order 10 eliminate
this factor in spreading the disease to
Health in the crusade for the determination
of these animals. l ordered that all vessels
sailing from Manila to the United States
or island ports should be disinfected with
sulphur in order TO destroy the rats on
board. This disinfection was also practiced
on the Hong-kong boats for the purpose OF
adding further protection To Manila
Surgeon Perry issued to ship owners and
their agents in the Philippines a circular
letter in which he called To their attention
the fact that IL has been demonstrated that
rats are the principal. II not the only. factor
in the spread of the plague. and ships al
most invariably become infected from this
source. He stated he deemed IL necessary
To disinfect all vessels. regardless of size
or nature. sailing from Manila to other
u
on board. This disinfection was begun on
December %. 1901. and continued until all
rats. numbering hundreds of thousands.
were killed
Large quantities of sulphur. burned in
the holds of the vessels quickly extermi-
mated all rats. for the matches were closed.
so they were afforded no opportunity for
escape.
That Asiatic cholera was not introduced
into the United States by means of the
many vessels entering San Francisco. Seat
tie and other Pacific ports from the Philip
pines where the disease has scored thor
sands of victims. is due largely to the strict
quarantine established by Surgeon Perry at
all ports in the archipelago.
The Inspection of vessels and their per-
sornel was very rigid The effects OF g. So
passengers returning to the United States
were disinfected during the year ending
July. 1902 Facilities for the detention OF
suspects at the marine stations and care
of the sick are extensive.
Surgeon Perry conducted a rigid investi-
cation to determine the manner In which
Asiatic cholera had been introduced into
the Philippines on March 20. 1902 II was
found that the cholera germ was introduced
IN vegetables imported from China There
upon a strict embargo was placed upon al
such vegetables and has been maintained
ever since. But IL Is supposed that tie
first case was caused by vegetables which
had been smuEgled in and not by those
which had passed the regular inspection.
Five and later fifteen day 9uarantines were
placed on all vessels. including army trans
ports. and results from protective stand
point have been most excellent