Evening star., 1902-08-06
Provisions Adopted.

Provisions Adopted.
From the beginning of the epidemic all
cases, with few exceptions, were treated in
cholera hospitals organized by the board
of health. From March 26 until April 1S
all cases were sent to the hospital estab-
lished on the San Lazaro grounds. and the
contacts to the detention camp adjoining,
which had previously been constructed Tor
bubOnic plague contacts. Fortunately TINS
camp was practically ready for occupation
on the appearance of cholera. Later de-
tention camp and cholera hospital of canvas
were established on high tract OF land IN
the suburbs of Manila, known as Santa
Mesa. The use of this magnificent piece
of property secured to the board Of
health, free of cost, through the generosity
of Senior Juan Tuason, very prominent
and public-spirited Filipino resident of Ma
Mia. The detention camp at Santa Mesa
was provided with accommodations for
5000 contacts and the hospital adjoining for
100 patients. The grounds were laid out
and tents located according to military reg
ulations and provided with a system of wa
ter supply taken from the main conduit at
that point, bath houses, sanitary closets,
kitchens, store rooms, etc.
The camp at Santa Mesa was finally
abandoned on account of distance from the
center of the city, the rough avenue lead
ing to it. and the bad effect on patients as
a result of transportation there. Before
the abandonment of the Santa Mesa cholera
camp arrangements were made to estab-
lish a hospital in a large building on Gale
Herran, formerly used by the army, and
known as the Second Reserve Hospital.
This magnificent building is located in the
center of a large tract of land in Ermita,
surrounded by a wall, and is very accessi
BILE from all parts of the city. 1t Is be-
lieved that a considerable number Of lives
were saved by reason of the dispatch in
transferring patients TO this hospital, and
the fine condition of the streets leading
to it.
The free use of this building was secured
to the board of health through the cour-
tesy and kindness of Senores Trinidad Jur-
ado, Bertrand de Lis and other members
of the commission of the Spanish colony.
The entire lower floor, with kitchen. dining
room, laundry, ETC., and grounds, was
placed at the disposal of the American
authorities, besides large ward for
Americans ON the second floor and four
private rooms for American women. The
remaining portion of the building was re-
served for treatment of members of the
Spanish colony in case any of them con-
tracted the disease
Noble Work of the Sisters.
In this connection Maj. Maus calls atten-
tion to the splendid work performed by the
Sisters of Charity who were sent there as
nurses. These noble women devoted them
selves fearlessy to the work of nursing
the sick, and spared no effort or labor IN
behalf OF their patients, who, as rule, be.
longed to the lowest native classes, and
among whom the disease was so malignant.
A number Of hospital tents were pitched
on the grounds for the accommodation O..
relatives OF patients under treatment. This
concession was made to the ignorant
classes as an offset to the many vague and
fearful rumors which had reached them in
regard to the treatment Of their friends by
the Americans. One member of each fam
lily was provided with shelter and food on
the grounds and allowed to visit the wards
once or twice daily. This policy, to a great
extent, relieved the natives of all fear of
being sent to the cholera hospital. There
was practically no cooperation among the
natives In regard to reporting cases occur
ring in their families, and for this reason
1t became necessary to employ a large num-
Der or men acting as sanitary inspectors,
many of whom were sent to affected towns
In the neighboring provinces. After care.
fully studying the statistics in regard to
the percentage of contacts who were affect
ed after being sent to the detention camus
the board decided to quarantine when
practical all contacts in their houses for
five days and to abolish the detention
camps altogether. This was accomplished
could be noted In regard to an increase of
the epidemic and with marked improye-
ment in securing the confidence and CO.
operation of the natives. All cases, how
ever were sent TO the cholera hospital,
Supervision of Food.
Since it has been definitely determined
that the epidemic was the result of food in
leCtloH great attention has been paid to
the supervision Of the markets, the cooked
food shops and the preparation and care
OF food in the native houses. Rules and reg
ulations were issued prohibiting the ped-
ding of all drinks and cooked food on the
streets, the prohibition Of twenty-three sne
cial articles Of diet prepared by the Chinos
for sale to natives, and a regid enforce
ment of the order for keeping all articles Of
diet In the city covered and free from flies
Although the enforcement of these rules
among population of BOG, 900 people is very
difficult, 215,OOO of whom may be regarded
as belonging to the ignorant class. with
scarcely any knowledge of ordinary santa
tion, marked decrease in the number of
cases was shortly observed. Many samples
of food were sent to the laboratory for ex-
animation, also a number of files caught in
infected houses.
The cholera spirilum was found In several
samples of the food, especially in cooked
rice, which was left exposed, and in some
of the bluebottle flies. The flies are com
monty bred along the sides of the esteros.
which are emptying grounds for numberless
private sewers and latrines. In certain
places along the sides of these esteros
where deposits have been accumuIa ting for
many generations great beds of wriggling
| maggots were noticeable. The numerous