New-York tribune., 1903-04-20
TELLnW FEVER At PANAMA.

At a meeting of the British Epidemiological
Society IN London few weeks ago DR. Fat
rick Manson expressed the fear that unless
certain precautions were adopted at me
Isfb1nus of Panama Asia would be invaded py
yellow fever from that point In his opinion
the danger viii be greatest after the inter
oceanic canal is completed and when 1t De-
comes highway for shipping. There "ouiu
be occasion for solicitude. however, long before
that consummation AS soon as direct com
munication is established between the isthmus
and Asiatic ports for the purpose of bringing
over cheap labor, the opportunity would De
presented for infection. He hoped. therefore
that when the United States Government once
obtained supreme control of the situation II
would adopt such measures as would avert
this result Other experts OF more than iocai
reputation-among them Or. Strong, or the
American laboratory in Manila -evmced SYN
pathy with Dr. Manson's views. from which
fact il is apparent that he does not stand
alone.
The propriety of this suggestion IS obvious.
Yellow fever is distinctvely an American dis
ease. but there is no reason why IL should hot
attack Chinamen Hindoos and Fiiipinos. They
are all subject TO malaria, which is akin to
yellow fever IL is not pleasant 10 think what
would hanpen il the latter once obtained u foot-
hold in any large crowded, dirty Asiatic city;
and there is probably more reason 10 expect
such an event Than any invasion Of this coiih-
Try by the cholera or bubonlc plague. Now
that the United States has Oriental possessions
of her own. she has selfish interest III the
adoption of Tie policy recommended hIofe
generous class Of considerations. though VIII
doubtless furnish the chief incentive to the
American government for whatever ii may do.
When il acIs at all ii will unQuestionabiy be
animated 10y regard for Japan. China and those
European powers which have large pollticai
and commercial interests IN the East Dr
Mansons own official position. that of medical
adviser 10 the Colonial Office, and the courtesy
which appears to have cha rae cterZed his utter
anees. will not commend his sentiments the
less to favor in this country
The means which he recommends for the
protection of Asia can be inferred by any one
who is familiar with his pioneer work in show
ing the relation between mosquitoes and
malaria Like the medical authorities Of the
United States Army. and like the quarantine
officer Of the Port OF NewAork, he would con-
centrate all efforts on the agent which is sus-
pected OF being the only carrier Of yellow
| fever germs from one human being TO another
When a vessel arrives ut Panama from any
! port IN which yellow fever is known to exist
| he would employ fumigation III such a manner
as 10 reach any mosquitoes that may be on
| board and would kill all larve in the bilge
water and tanks. In time he would follow
| that programme up with the elimination of all
| possible breeding places for mosquitoes on
| both sides of the canal itself for distance Of
| half a mile each way. In other words. he
would make il absolutely impossible for vel
low Jack either 10 enter the canal or 10 spread
there The second feature Of this campaign
| would he more difficult OF execution than the
| first TIA area involved is more extensive than
the city of Havana. in which such bfliilah'
work mas been done in the last two years. 1he
whole plan. though. deserves. and will doubt
less receive careful attention from the ne"
canal commission. when one is appointed