New-York tribune., 1905-11-21
DIR. D0rY on ErMIGArION-

BY the appearance of a few cases of yellow
fever in Havana within the last fortnight an i'm
portant and not yet solved problem has been
brought into fresh prominence. 1t has been
suspected that the outbreak was caused by the
importation of mosquitoes which had been in
fected in some other place This is not the only
possible explanation of the outbreak, of course
and nobody vet appears to be in a position to
speak authoritatively on the subject. The con-
iectl though, is sufficient to raise for consid-
eratio.I the question whether not merchandise
as we'll as passengers should undergo quaran-
tine supervision. In other words. is the fumga-
ton of freight from an infected port necessary?
With his usual alertness to such exigencies
the Health Officer of the Port of NewYOrk has
Just reiterated in the columns of The Tribune
his we'll known views regarding the prOpriety of
action OF that kind; and his utterances consti-
tute valuable contribution to the discussion.
Dr. Doty is convinced that yellow fever can be
kept out Of any port without continuing to fol
low the old practice of disnfectinS ships and
cargoes He believes that the inspection
should be limited to persons on board vessels
arriving from centres of infection, and has acted
on that principle for several years. He will not
go so far as TO affirm that mosquitoes may not
convey the germs of fever In the manner indi-
Gated but his watch for we'll authenticated in
stance has thus far been unsuccessful. At most,
therefore, the occurrence must be considered in
frequent; and DIR. Doty thinks the chance is so
small that it may be safely ignored The i'm
munity which New-York City has enjoyed since
fumigatiOn was abandoned certainly creates
presumption that the operation is needless 1t
will also strengthen the belief that the invasion
OF Havana was, after all, due to laXity in exam
lining incoming passengers. What the Health
officer Of NewYork has to say about the ease
with which mild eases may escape detection
tends to confirm faith in that suppOstion
During the next twelve months attempt
will be made to reorganize and reform the quar-
antine system of the South The movement will
aim first of ALL to insure the largest attainahle
uniformity in the codes which will be
adopted in some Of the states; and there will be
a determined effort to make the regulations con
form closely to the findings of modern science.
Over no measure, perhaps will wider diversity
of opinion be developed than the expedi-
ency of abandoning fumigation, and DR. Doty's
views this point cannot be too carefully
weighed by the men who undertake this labor of
love. IF undue burdens have been imposed on
foreign and interstate commerce in the past they
cannot be removed too soon. Disinfection in
wolves expense and delay in the delivery of mer-
chandise. If it serves no good purpose, it should
promptly and universally be abandoned.
Cuban officials have been superSenstive over
imputatIons by outsiders concerning the sanitary
condition of their island Hence they may not
respond satisfactorily 10 requests for nforma-
tion from the United States, and especially from
the Marine Hospital Service. This country can
not do much toward ascertaining the exact cause
of the outbreak in Havana though feeling
lively interest in the matter However. Cuba
may recognize the propriety of institutng an III
qlLiry for her own sake 1t is to be hoped that
she will. But until much more convincing testi-
mony is offered the theory that mosquitoes i'm
ported from New-Orleans caused the mischief
will probably be rejected by sanitary experts