The Cairo bulletin., 1905-10-14

Tn July "a the puDllc press an
nounced the preseace Of yellow fever
in New Orleans. Earlier than it had
appeared in previous years. when the
disease had become epidemic in
states further north, this announce
ment was the cause Of general concern
ON the part of The public health Off
GERS throughout the entire nation. As
far as medical science had progressed
in fighting yellow jack it was still ac,
cepted that no real relief could be ex-
pected until killing frost, Fully as
the mosquitoe theory had been pro-
mulgated, it had never been satisfac-
torily demonstrated either to medical
men or the layman that the disease
could be controlled or stamped out
until weather sufficiently severe 10
prevent its spread
The announcement of yellow fever
in New Orleans in July was ample
cause for precautionary measures in
al parts of the country which had
ever felt the unrelenting grip of the
disease, but the necessity of prompt
action became more pronounced when
Ii was ascertained from reliable
sources thar the disease had existed
and had been spreading in the Cres-
cent City for several weeks before it
was announced TO the public
AT the time Of the first announce
ment of yellow fever in New Orleans,
Ms To of
State Board of Health, was in the state
of Michigan. where he had gone for a
vacation of few days after year of
unusual activity in state sanitary
work. Immediately upon seeing The
newspaper dispatches. DR. Egan re-
turned to Springfield and made all
necessary preparations to come to
Cairo and to remain as long as the ex-
igencies of the situation demanded
On July 2Sth. Or. Egan accompanied
by DR. George Thomas Palmer assist
ant secretary of the board, left Spring
field and on July 31st arrived in
Cairo Promptly upon his arrival Dr..
Egan conferred with the local board
of health as 10 the action necessary
for the protection of Cairo and re
ceived from the board assurances Of
the heartiest cooperation in any pro-
tective measures the state should
adopt. A few hours later Or. Palmer
and Dr. Egan left Cairo for Mem
phis To confer with AUTHORITIES at
that point as TO the best means for
the protection OF Cairo and the south
ern section of Illinois with the least
restriction of trade and business in
terests.
At Memphis Dr. Egan conferred
with DIR. Heber Jones the veteran
health officer of the city. going over
with him the dangers from the south
and the means which Memphis in
tended to adopt to prevent a recUr-
renee of the tragedies of the past lt
was ascertained that DR.. Jones, in
accord with all other sanitarians who
had ever had occasion to fight yellow
fever. realized that quarantine and
rigorous quarantine was the only
means of keeping yellow fever out OF
a Community While recognizing the
yellow fever mosquito as means of
the transmission of the disease. DR..
Jones advocated every possible i'm
provement in the sanitary condition
of infectabla cities and every possible
protection against those avenue Of in
fection considered of vital importance
before the mosquito theory Of yellow
fever was advocated.
Dr. Egsn ana nr. Palmer returned
to Cairo after a cav in Memphis and
steps we're immediately taken for the
protection of the city and of the south
ern part of the stale.
Geographically the situation at
Cairo is enc which presents many
commercial advantage. but Wh oh
also shows certain points of sanitary
concern in a time of pestilence IN the
south. anding at the junction Of
two great waterways Of the nation.
il is essential that the greater part Of
river travel either mp the Ohio or up
the Mississippi must pass by Cairo's
gates The citizens who we're here in
1873 will never cease to looy with
grave concern upon IN river travel in
times Of yellow fever, for it IS remem-
bered that it was through the packet
lines that the tragedy of 1878 occur
red. Aside from the exposed position
CT the rivers Cairo has grown 70 he