Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-08
PLENTY OF ASSISTANCE
For Marine Hospital Surgeons Oroereo
bv President to Fever Region.

Ovster Ray, Aug. Sec. Shaw came
to oyster Bay, today, to see the fresi-
dent about a matter personal 10 the
President and himself. He also TOOK
IN with the President some routine
o,uestions that are pending In the treas
nv denartment. His visit, he said. was
~ mn Significance. He remained with
tho President about an hour and ex-
n.,otod TO return directly to Washing
ton.
Sec. Shaw said that the federal gov
ernment having assumed control of
the yellew fever situation IN New Or
leans no efforts would be spared to
stamp out the epidemic. The secretary
will go to Roanoke. Va. tomorrow, to
speak at the opening of the Republican
state convention of Virginia.
The President. who is keeping in
close touch with the yellow fever sit
uation. today, received the following
telegram:
washington, Aug. Z.
Mayor Behrman and members of
the citizens committee in New Orleans
have received assurances of funds ne
cessary to pay expenses of labor and
material. Have wired Surgeon White to
take charge Immediately and have or
dered large additional force of COM
missioned officers who have had special
experience in epidemic work. The SER
vice appreciates its responsibilities,
but will go to work with feeling of con-
fidenca.
(Signed) "WALTER WYMAN.
Surgeon General.
The President and Sec. Shaw dis
cussed pretty thoroughly the situation
in New Orleans and the measures
which had been adopted by the treas
ury department and by the marine hos
pital service to prevent the spread of
the fever.
Capt Ross, chief of the revenue
cutter service" said the secretary,
"has been ordered to New Orleans to
take personal command of the quaran-
tine operations SO far as they concern
his services. The cutter Winona is al
ready at New Orleans and other revs-
nue. cutters will be ordered there at
once In addition we shall secure some
private vessels which will fly the flag
of the revenue cutter service and as
sist in perfecting and maintaining the
quarantine.
I'm one of my conferences with Sur
geon General Wyman suggested to
him that he obtain a large quantity Of
crude turpentine and have it burned in
the immediate vicinity of every house
where there was yellow fever pa
tent. 1t formerly was supposed that
the burning of turpentine was practi-
cally a specific for yellow fever. AS a
IF hac hpQn danonnStr9f-
ed that the fumes from the burning
turpcntine merely drive away the mos
quitoes If we can keep mosquitoes
away from the patients suffering from
the fever we can prevent them from
carrying the disease to people who are
not afflicted with it. That is merely Ole
step toward the stamping out of the
disease. If we can prevent the spread
ing we soon shall have control of the
epidemic. Surgeon General Wyman is
making arrangements for large quanti-
ties of crude turpentine which may be
obt3ined by the ton and will use it as
I have suggested.
I'VE already have eight or nine sur
geOn3 at work in New Orleans and
more will be provided If necessary.
hope and believe we soon shall have
the epidemic under control"
The secretary said there would be
no trouble in meeting the expense.