The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-19
Spreading Disease and Death.

Wesee by tho newspapers that the Cover
nor has just pardoned another convict be-
cause he is sufnering with consumption. This
time the convict who is suffering with the
contagious disease was sent back to Abbevillt
County.
/ From the number Of consumptives who
have been sent out from the penitentiary thai
Institution must be veritable breeding den
for the most dreaded of all the diseases, The
victim Of which are sent to all parts OF the
State. IT, therefore, the State Is Eot pretty
we'll impregnated with this fatal disease, no
built can be laid at the door OF the State
authorities.
3 It occurs to laynan that neither the medi
cal authorities Of that institution nor the off,
: cars who control 1t, have exercised proper
care to prevent the spread Of consumption.
ucur Legislators could have let the corpo.
rations alone for time they might have
done some good for humanity by investigating
the methods which govern the penitentiary
and from which defenseless prisoners suffer
and die. 1.-THE helpless and poweriess vic
TINS could receive half az much attention as
II given 70 the interference with the business
4 OF the cotton mills and other oorporporations
Y great good would be accomplished, and the
State Of South Carolina would be respected
: for iis humanitarian acts.
Strange ss It may seem, this breeding pen oi
pestilence and death Is within the very shad.
ow Of tho State House. and is in sight Of the
the Executive Mansion. And against the
heartlessnes OF the Legislature and the lack
OF care ON the part OF others the very souls Of
the Victims OF inhumanity should cry aloud.
Come sore heads. and q few blind kickers al
every thing, manifest lote Of spit at the
+ United States Government because OF its
treatment OF the Fil1pinos, and hold up their
handsin holy horrors because the brown man
OF the East In made to behave himself or take
4 the consequence; but they are as silent as the
crave on the subject OF the Infection OF our
own prisoners with the germs OF consumption
and our officers with recklessness or indif
ference 70 the public welfare send out these
prisoners to spread the deadly infection in al
parts OF the State. The amazing thing about
the whole matter Is, that the pardon is grant
ed expressly because of the infection OF the
convict Ifthe annals OF history furnish q
parallel for Q course 80 contrary to the public
welfare we should be glad to know II.
On this subject We find the following para.
graph In the News and Courier:
Shippers and seamen now In port will prob.
ably be interested In plan just submitted by
Surgeon General Wyman, Of the United
States marine hospital service, TO all commits
stoned officers and acting assistant surgeons
i'm his department. whereby IL Ia hoped that
the spread of tuberculosis among merchant
seamen may be prevented.
Z The local surgeons have received from head
quarters the following order:
f,l2"Whenevera q seamen suffering from q
tubercle OF the lungs applies for treatment at
relisf station OF the service the medical OH
Ger or aeeing assis tant surgeon In charge
thereof shall notify the master or accredited
agent OF the vessel on which said seaman SAIL
ed Immediately preceding his application for
the consent and aid OF the master owner or
agent OF the vessel, disinfect the forecastle or
other apartment previously occupied by the
Aforesaid seaman.
tThe method Of disin section shall be as fol-
lows: Through mechanical cleansing Of
floors, walks and hunks with hot water and
concentrated lye; wetaing floors, walls and
hunks with either OF these solutions: No; /.
Carbolfc acid, one part; water, 100 parts. No.
2 Corrosive sublimate, one part; hydro
chl0rtc ecid, two parts; water, 1000 parts.
Fofecastlee should be painted or whitewash.
ters, owners and agents OF vessels should be
informed OF the importance Of compliance
with the provisions Of this circular. A report
shall be rendered TO the bureau of every fore
circular as soon as the disinfection shall have
been effected" L'...
The importance Of this plan hit upon by the
surgeon general can be realized to the fullest
extent BY those seamen who occupy apart
Daenfs, often not too clean to begin with, but
made Sill more unhealthful by the presence
OF an unfortunate consumptive. The action
2of DR.. Wyman will no doubt be thoroughly
appreciated oy the men who pass the greater
part OF their lives on board ship.
IL would be more In accord with the dictates
OF common sense, and proper regard for
human life, to send small po1 patients broad.
cast over the land instead of consumptises.
Small pox 10 seldom fatal. Consumption Is
seldom cured.