New-York tribune., 1905-11-20

fully removed from horses by placing glass test
tubes over the insects. After sufficient num-
ber We're obtained light cotton plugs were then
placed IN the opening of the tubes ana uney
wers within short time afterward introduced
into the packages already described win the
opening downward the cotton plugs remover
and the tubes gradually withdrawn, allowing
the escape OF the mosquito into the receptacle.
In this manner the mosquitoes were not touched
and were introduced without any injury The
receptacles We're then closed and the number OF
mosquitoes contained in each of the packages
recorded in order that the entire number of
mosquitoes used In each experiment could be
accounted for. These experiments were contin-
ued over a period of three months. and in no in
stance was it found that the insects lived more
than thirty-six hours. Therefore. these expert
ments would show that baggage unopened for
two days after leaving an infected area would
probably be menace to the public health.
MANY CASES UNRECoGNIzED.
If yellow fever is transmitted only in rare in
stances by infected mosquitoes carried on ves
sells, in what way, then, may we account for
the frequent outbreaks OF yellow fever, the
origin of which is unknown? L believe it to be
due to the presence of mild, irregular or
recognized cases of the disease, which consti-
tute one Of the most dangerous factors with
which we deal IN the protection OF the puplc
health, not only in regard to yellow fever, but
all other infectious diseases, and it is fac
tor the Importance of which is not fully appre-
ciated. During the present season six cases
of yellow fever have been removed from this
station from vessels arriving from foreign
ports; of these two were taken sick before ar
rival at New York and recognized as
yellow fever. One had applied to the ships
surgeon the day preceding arrival but three
of the patients had not only not applied to the
surgeon for treatment, but reported we'll on the
arrival of the vessel, and their general appear
ance practically corroborated this statement
however, when the Thermometer was useo II
was found that their temperature was above the
normal register, and they were consequently
transferred for observation One of them died
at Swinburne Island Hospital three days after
All Of them after removal from the vessel ao-
mitted that they had been sick two or three
days before reaching New-York. l may add
that the vessels referred to arrived here after
voyage of six days from an infected port
Five gases of bubonic plague have reached
this port during the last five or six years; TWO
of them were of a mild form and We're able 10
present themselves for inspection and reported
we'll but when their clothing was removed ana
the superficial glands of the body examined and
their temperature taken bubonic plague was
suspected and the suspicion that it existed
was confirmed by a subsequent meteorological
examination
CASES HARD TO DIAGNOSE.
I mention these cases simply to illustrate what
is constantly occurring in the work of this de-
rartment Cases of infectious diseases also ire
quently occur in an irregular form. 1t is stated
on the most relia BILE authority that the first case
of cholera, which recently appeared in Germany
was removed to the hospital as a case OF pneu-
monia. Therefore, typical cases whlcn may oe
readily detected, are of less danger 10 d cotA-
munity than cases which assume mild or IT
regular typ -, .,o+ T.,
Undue Importance given to the theory tnat m m
fected MOSQUITOES exist on vessels tends TO ob-
scure q proper realization of the danger from
mild irregular or unrecognized cases;
Furthermore, to accept the theory thai Eel1o% stS
fever is frequently transmitted by hfecteu
MOSQUITOES on incoming vessels involves tne
treatment of their cargoes by dislnfecCon' ete.,
in order to destroy the mosquito, ana IN soIile
cases it may also involve the destruction OF tne
cargo If this is not required for the pTotectt.oI
of the public health it constitutes an lhJusllCe
TO commerce and an unnecessary annoyance 70
the travelling public. Modern sanltauon uoee
not offer 100 per cent of safety; therefore we
ore only justified in carrying out regulations
which are reasonable and sane in the proteeT3dd I,3d
If the public health. These regulations SlouIu
" !. u ~ base6 alone on theory, but should be de-
terroined largely by practical experience.