The weekly messenger., 1905-08-19
Yellow Fever Discussed.
Editor Messenger:

Ihere IL stfIl widespread apprehensiO
that the fever will get here, for the peo
pie think that those whose duty II is 3
move In taking precautionary measure
do not realize the danger that confront
Us ifcr comprehend the respOnsibiiit
resting upon them. The situation de
mands vigilance. caution. determine
tion and strict performances of duty a
authorized BY law and justiHad by tn
periis that surround us. irrespective o
individual opinion. Public appreciation
will always reward with approval thu
conscientious and unselfish performance
OF duty by a public officer; this Is az
much an assured fact AZ disapprOval and
condemnation will surely overtake him
for failure TO do what Is expected oil
him. Those who compose the Board ol
Health should not feel that they are
holding sinecure Offices when one Of
Deaths reapers IL waiting u chance tc
begin its! deadly work.
The Office Of Mayor Of small town IL
often regarded as one OF little or 10 i'm
pOrtance; IL is more than clerical posi-
ticn at all times. but when an insidiOus
disease has already begun its march up
on the highways the responsibilities are
AZ great, II lot greater than those at :
tached TO the same Office In large CITY.
He should advise, consult, and formulate
reforms and means Of protection within
the law and where he has no law for
guidance he should make precpdents IL
they rebound to the public welfare; he
should possess energy. moral. courage.
and pride to excel in the performance of
his duty. We should not lose sight Of
the fact that we have an enemy to fight
that never sleeps. and that the contest IL
not for day. week or q month, but
for months; that IL we relax our watch.
fulness aud leave unguarded the bar
riers to his entrance an hour he may en-
ter and bring train Of unnumbered
evils such as the imagination cannot
picture. We can better endure the pri-
vations and annoyances atten dant upon
3 rigid quarantine than we the pains of
sickness and death and the lOf friends
and kindred. A few years ago the
5aRarelli theory, IL In stated, was
new one and was accepted "a correct
'ne; few years more the mosquito
iogma may be- pronounced faulty. It is
we'll known that the American people
IRE prone to accept without question
new scientific theories. This Is due in
)art to desire to give encouragement
% progressive searchers for truth. There
ire many valuable facts that lie con-
'ealed In natures laws awaiting the pa
lent research Of mans inquiring mind
o uncover and doubtless new aud i'm
'0rtant truths will from time to time be
unveiled, and there are many effects
which his patient Investigation has not
ccOunted for. but am not willing to |
ccept hasty conclusions when they de-
roy preconceived accepted opinions
ased upon scientific investigation also. |
AnnOyances attendant upon rigid |
quarantine than we can the pains Of |
ickness and death and the loss Of |
riends and kindred. Many seem inclin-
d to gather some consolation from the
ew theory that yellow fever can be
only by the mosquito. l
o nat see how that even II 1t be true, les
efs the danger Of communication. but
q the contrary IL seems to be increased
3 many times as the number Of mos
uitOee that feed upon a patient out
umbered the sources of communication
nat might exist under the old theory.
may Seem presumptuous In an unprO-
'esional mind to caution any one
yainst accepting as unquestionably
'ue that yellow fever can be communi-
sted by the mosquito only. A tyro In
10 knowledge Of physiology can easily
nderstand bow the fever may be CON-
unicated by the mosquito. knowing az
does the susceptibility of the blood to
10 effects Of deleterious aud beneficial
rents, but II requires little more ere
llity than possess to believe the ex-
riments haye read as iDfallibie
OOfs that yellow fever can be cOmmu-
Gated only by the mosquito. XXX
Mr.. Louis VOORHEES, was re-ap-
'inted Cadet by the Police jury ;
the last meeting. We have al
sys understood the intention of
Q law and the appointment of a