New-York tribune., 1905-08-29
INSIDE FEVER HISTORY.
w4NY STARTLING FACTS.
Tribune Finds Lao Graded IN Nezc-
EeanS-InUeStigatiOn Sure.

New-Orlea0s, August u
The fact that most OF the prominent citizens
=, New-Orleans believe that the city has its
s.,ss full al present putting down the yellow
.,,sr endemic. which is raging with varying in
..rsitv from day TO day. prevents an immediate
.,s searching investigation OF the origin OF the
.,ssrnic There is no doubt in the minds OF any
A.. immediate partisans that this investigation
I'll seriously involve both the officers of the
-ou,sana State Board OF Health and OF the
n,sv-Orleans Board OF Health, and In the minds
:. nsrtisans there exist grave fears.
Already Dr. Joseph Holt physician OF promi-
,snce who for years stood as a bulwark ir
,-sv-Orleans against Central American ports
-Asre fever is endemic-that is. exists practical
a. ,-orn one years end 10 another-has thrown
avn the gauntlet to DR.. Quitman Kohnke, City
usslth Oficer and It is doubtful If his charges
.sr be ignored many days longer.
OAcers OF the Orleans Parish Medical Society
s4and ready TO file charges against Dr. Edmond
eo,chou president Of the State Board OF Health,
,s soon as they think the fever epidemic is suf
ec,entlv under control TO risk such division OF
medical forces as is bound TO come with the in
vestgaron.
The county and State authorities are in pos
session OF q mass OF damaging evidence which
would seem to prove conclusively that the quar-
srrine at the mouth of the Mississippi River
vgs the rnerest farce They have viii soon
be presented with evidence that the city
health authorities knew Of the existence Of
yellow fever IN New-Orleans long before they
even whispered II, and weeks before an official
declaration was forced upon them, by the Off
cials OF neigh boring States and the investiga-
fion Of suspicious surgeons Of the United States
Marine Hospital Service
Among other papers in existence the affi-
oavfts Of two prominent physicians Of New
I
file yellow fever diagnoses IN cases that were
certainly yellow fever and that they had to ap-
peal TO the State Board OF Health before they
could carry out their sworn duty.
New Orleans IN this extremity viii look to its
District Attorney, Porter Parker, a young law
yer o. proven skill who has many Of the marks
Of New-York's William Travers Jerome about
him. He is absolutely fearless. and owes no
party debts that will for moment figure IN the
effort 10 place the responsibility for the present
epi6eric His family IS one Of the Oldest in
New Orleans. and they DO not run away from
yellow fever He lives with his mother in one
OF the beautiful old homes IN the garden spot
section OF the Crescent City and she is remain
ing in New-Orleans this summer Just because
yellow fever is there.
Mr.. Parker is not telling what he knows about
the origin OF this epidemic or Of the extent to
which cases were concealed by the authorities
IN the early days Of the epidemic. When he
strikes Il viii be through the grand jury, com
posed Of men who have been sorely tried by
the epidemic and who viii reach the bottom, If
it is as deep as the Mississippi River, which OF
New-Orleans Is practically bottomless
INVESTIGATION WILL BE THOROUGH
7 can promise you," said Mr. Parker to the
Tribune correspondent at meeting in the Bos-
ton Club that the origin Of this epidemic will
be thoroughly investigated, can promise you
that we VIII find out TO what extent cases have
been suppressed. and that. II possible. we will
place the responsibility. I have talked the mat
Ter over thoroughly with the Attorney General
a this State, and we are agreed that the in
Testigation must be made. DO not believe that
the time for this investigation has yet arrived
i might bring about dissension among the local
medical officers. ali OF whom have their hands
full with the present fight"
That District Attorney Parker is ready TO act
when he thinks the time is ripe was shown q few
days ago IN another phase OF the fever fight II
was called to the attention Of DR.. White who is in
charge Of the Marine Hospital officers here. that
local physicians were suppressing cases wher
requested TO DO so by the families of patients.
The District Attorney quietly prepared a num-
her Of complaints against the offending physi-
clans They made their peace with him by Civ
Ing solemn pledge that they would in the
violation
o. this pledge VIII result in their arrest
The local physicians are now supplied with
ofhcial blanks addressed TO Dr. J. H White,
which read:
lhis is 70 let you know that I am attending a
SUSPICIOUS case Of fever in the person of
80. - 20. . and that you are authorized to
---s-lute sucn measures Of precaution as you
.-as ceefn necessary. I have informed the
.Isi--y OF the measures you viii carry out on
the premises.
Without the right 10 summon or swear wit
hesses il has been extremely difficult for The
Tribune correspondent 10 look into the matter
o. he origin OF the epidemic and the extent of
NE early suppression. Practically all the off,
GAS and prominent citizens advise delay until
une fever is put down. DR.. White the chief
government officer here declares that he knows
much Of the inside history Of the epidemic. all
q which VIII come out In time, but be could
.sno no assistance IN an investigation until his
1snl against the fever grew less strenuous. Men
= me standing Of Jenvairer, the disbursing Of
"'e' o. TIE vast fund which the citizens have
raised: Walmsley Of the Louisiana National
'~Nk7 II which the Marine Hospital headquar-
os's is established: Parkerson. an attorney who
Us mac guiding hand in nearly every public
movement for years. VIII not lend assistance at
= present time The local newspapers while
SfHung columns Of the fever situation and the
90 against the scourge, are also silent when
comes TO origin and responsibility.
doubtful If any one can ever say tust
WRONG SORT
fefhaps Plain Old Meat Potatoes and Bread