The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1905-08-23
DR.. JUAN dUlTERAs.
Great Fever Expert Discusses
the Fever Mosquito Theory.

VI "AO SAOOu0oV Living vCilOw ICsCI GA
perts, discussed hemosquito theory in
New Orleans Thursday night. He said
that since 1862 Havana was known to
be the greatest center of yellow fever
in the world. That the island was not
without it winter or summer, and that
every year there was an epidemic.
After such a record it hardly seems
possible that no fever exists there
to-day, but DR.. Guiteras stated that
since Sept. %, 1901, there had not
been a case of yellow fever in Havana
excepting those that were imported
from Mexico and Central America.
DR.. Guiteras said that this state of
affairs a brought about primarily
by the people having confidence in
what vas being told them. and being
ready and willing to adopt any
measures for the prevention of the
fever. They obeyed instructions and
obeyed them we'll. The speaker said
that this phase of the question was
not to be overlooked, and that nothing
could be accomplished if the people
did not cooperate and work together.
The mosquitoes were fought in
Havana. He said that if the people
in the city, State. and South would
not get SO terror-stricken. they could
accomplish more, and that the task
of Kidding the city of the disease
would be comparatively easy. If
neighbOrs would help in screening a
yellow fever house. instead of running
away and establishing a shotgun
quarantine, matters would be greatly
benefited.
Suppose said DR.. Guiteras,
''that a boat should come into our
harbor at Havana on which there was
a yellow fever patient. Would we get
out shotguns and drive the victim
away? Indeed, we would not. Yellow
fever patients are welcome to the city
of Havana, after they get there. In
case there was a victim in the harbOr,
a steam launched would be sent out
armed with a mosquito bar. The
launch would be met at the shore by
a screened ambulance. such as you
have here now, and that patient would
be taken directly through the busiest
part of the city to the other end of
the town to the screened hospital.
This has been going on since 1901,
and not q single case of fever has
developed during that time. In cases
where the fever victims were accom-
panied by companions, by husbands,
or wives, fathers or mothers, We have
allowed the companions to occupy the
same room with the yellow fever
patients, and without bad results. !
One case recall to mind was of two
ladies with their husbands. Both of
the ladies were stricken, but the men
were allowed to remain with them in
the respective rooms. One of these
women died, but so certain we're we
that the disease could not be trans
mitted by any other means than by
the mosquito that we allowed the man
to walk out in our city within an
hour after the death of his wife, with
whom he had been during all her
illness.
There is . laboratory, where
many tests are made, and where many
different kinds of insects and secre-
tions of yellow fever patients are
daily examined, but that laboratory
is absolutely free from fever, and my
daughter, who was born in North
Carolina, visits this room, even
though she be q non-immune. She is
very much interested in the work, and
often visits yellow fever patients that
have been imported to the city, but I
entertain absolutely no fears for her.
The daughter Of the President of the
republic; born in New York, is also
an earnest worker, and she also, is q
non-immune. / am simply telling you
these things so that you may see for
yourself, exactly how your city stands.
It is within our power to eradicate the
fever, now and forever; better now
than wait until It has too good . hold,
for then il will be q hard, uphill
fight, and | think now that you will
succeed"
Lines % the Old Man.
Dear John-We're having Z fne
time gathering shells by the seashore.