Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-16

it would be almost impossible to save the
river from Infection
Acting on my report which recommended
a Gordon Of troops to form an absolute
quarantine line, battalion OF the 18th IN
fantry and O. portion of the 9th Cavalry
were sent to the valley TO perform TINS
lied, which brought the entire length OF
the river and strip Of country on the
south under observation day and night:
with patrol Of cavalry along the foot
hills Of the mountains, hemmfng In the val
ley on two Sides north and east. No one
was allowed to enter the valley until he
had passed Ave days tn quarantine camp
outside OF the line. As the valley contained
considerable rice. the question OF feeding
solved itself for a few months, after
which time canned food was sent by the
natives managed to evade the vigilance of
the senunels, but, considering the large
area covered. and that cholera was raging
throughout the country and in towns within
five miles of the quarantine line, this rigid
quarantine proved successful. No more diff
ficult duty has been performed In the Phil
ippines than this outpost duty performed
by the 18th United States Infantry and the
9th Cavalry In saving people In spite OF
themselves. Quoting from an Endorsement
on my report Of the quarantine. the chief
surgeon OF the division OF the Philippines.
Col. Adair. pays this tribute to the Amer
lean soldier:
Example of Land Quarantine.
In the history Of this and all cholera
epidemics this interesting report deserves
a prominent place. It records an example
of land quarantine as successful as can be
expected, maintained for more than four
months, under as difficult conditions as
could well be devised. 1t leaves tribute
to be added to the faithfulness, fortitude
and general reliability of the American SOL
der A population of 10000 people in these
scattered villages has been held in compare
tive safety, in the interior of plague
smitten land. 1t has been long siege, with
the enemy close to the outposts, with trail
tors within, constantly watching for OPP
portunity to bring the enemy within the
lines
Manila, as I pointed out In my report to
the authorities could be given pure water
supply with very little expense, and prob
ably, what is Of more Importance, in the
shortest length of time, by extending the
cement conduits and iron piping that now,
between the intake or pumping station and
Manila, about nine miles, to a point above
the three towns in the Mariauina valley.
The river reaches this point after cours!ng
between uninhabited foothills and canons,
with the exception Of a small town, Boso
Boso, three hundred inhabitants, located in
the mountains at the rivers source. This
town would, of course. have to be removed.
and as the value of the property would not
exceed $780, its removal Is Of the least
consideration.
IN CoiumDO, Ceyton, the water Is plpeo
for q distance of twenty-five miles, and
when I was there provision was made to
extend second pipe the same distance to
increase the supply. Both Columbo and
Singapore are situated low, somewhat like
Manila; hence they have employed the pail
system for removal Of sewerage. In both
places 1t works as successful as it is posi-
BILE for this system to be, but Columbo has
just completed arrangements to put In a
shore pneumatic sewerage system at cost
Of $25O0,00O. To successfully combat the
different epidemic diseases Manila and other
large cities of the Philippines must make
haste In providing for improved water and
sewerage systems"