The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17
m Vogue

Some weeks ago the subject of quar- nntine of every kind would have been approached with far less deliberation than 1t will now receive. The mere suggestion of yellow fever in any Southern city has had the effect of putting a vast number of otherwise sensible people into state of panic. if not temporary insanity. Ger tainiy the conduct of hundreds Of Montgomery people. when 1t was announced that one case of fever had been imported into this city. gave ample evidence that emotionalism is not dead. It was. however. an emotional ism of fear. not creditable in the least to those who exhibited 1t. So much more sense and humanity, however, charac- terized the whole quarantine question during the past summer and fall. than had been heretofore exhibited. that there is good ground for hoping that the people for the last time have bid den farewell to their senses in time of sickness, and will hereafter act with calmness and .deliberation.
 The One Ccse in Montgomery.
 From a local and business stand point the one case of fever reported in this city last July was worth an incalculablc sum of money. While there was a considerable exodus to oth- CT points the great majority of citi- zens to use a common expression. re- mained steady in the boat, and in less than forty-eight hours after an- nouncement a spirit of absolute confi- dence and hopefulness pervaded the community.
 All know the precautions that were taken by the medical authorities and the happy result. The patient re- covered in due time: went on his way, at least, to our rejoicing, and there was no other case. It demonstrated Ia s<ln x-rn1 in tn class of other cities farther North. and that it does not follow because of one case of yellow fever here that an epi- demic is bound to come. The contrary has now been absolutely and fndis- putably demonstrated and our people are correspondingly happy and reliant The craze that took possession of oth- CT communities in this and other States was natural, in vieI of former experi- erices and rigid duarantines, and our city was practically isolated for pe- riod of twenty days. The refusal or the State Health authorities to quar- antine Montgomery had no effect upon the tfn1id and frightened souls who had in charge the health interests of many places and they refused to be- lieve or to be comforted. The deciaF- alton of the State Health authorities that Montgomery ought not to be quar- antined should have been sufficient 10
  followed the putting up of the bars by go many localities. It is to be hoped that if we should ever have 6 simi- lar experience the result Of the one case will at least cause other com munities to pause and pay heed to the constituted health authorities.
 What Sort of Quarantine.
 The question of quarantine is so broad and general and involves so much If legal and medical knowledge that IL Is difficult for one not expert in eitner to present the strongest features Science has made so much progress in the way of handling and stamping out diseases that 1t is possible that mere local quarantine systems will soon he rclegated to the past and be remembered only as evidences of un- called for fear on the part Of the peo- pie who were on that subject without light and knowledge.
 Ouarantines, as conducted in the past, have been barbarous and brutal. No respect has been paid to the rights and feelings of others. Everything centered in self without any thought whether a little consideration for oth- CTS would not he beneficial all around. Many will recall the time when refusal to allow the smokestack of an engine to enter this city stopped an industry for quite a time. Now embargoes on fumigated freight are no more, ana even the dreaded banana, fresh rom the hot bed of disease. after certain re- strictions at the port, are shipped and received in most places in the South, and of course everywhere farther North.
 Laws already exist under which the United States government can take charge of quarantine matters in a state, notably illustrated in Louisiana last summer but it had to be done by direct request of State and local au- thorities. For the first time in the history of this country the dis ease was practically eradicated be- fore frost fell, the period to which heretofore all had to look before citi- gems would return to their homes or other localities remove restrictions. This great result was achieved under the direction of United States Health officials and application of United States health regulations.
 No one can dispute the efficacy of quarantine for certain diseases. The question is not as to a quarantine. but what sort of quarantine, The approach of cholera, bubonic plague and all dis