The Washington herald., 1907-09-06
ASKS WYMAN TO AID
President Helps in Fight on
BubOnic Plague.
SAN FRANCISCO MAKES PLEA
Mayor TeIeEraphs Roosevelt Re-
auestIng Assistance of Marine Hos
pitaI service - Surgeon General
VIII Direct War of determination
on Disease-infected Rats.

President Roosevelt sent telegram yes
terday 10 Surgeon General walter Wy
man. OF the Piblic Health and Marine
Hospital Service. directing him 20 take
charge OF the epidemic of bubonic plague
now prevalent I'm San Francisco, and 20
send a sufficient number of Marine Hos
pital surgeons 90 that city 90 pre-
vent the spread of the disease.
This action was taken az the REQUEST of
the mayor of San Francisco. who ap-
peaIed TO the President yesterday for as
slstance. The Presidents telegram 10
Surgeon General Wyman is as follows:
Following telegram received from
mayor of san Francisco.
o. In view Of the existing sanitary cOndi-
tions. Il is desired that the Federal gov
ernTnans assume immediate charge OF the
measures necessary to eradicate and pre-
vent the spread of bubonic plague in San
Francisco. The city viii do its utmost TO
furnish funds to pay for material and
labor It is requested that the Pub
nc Health and Marine Hospital Service
furnish sufficient number OF medical Of
ficers.
Please take action requested at once
IL within ouI powers and communicate
with mayor by wire as soon as possible.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
DR.. Wyman Replies.
DR.. wyman sent this reply to President
Roosevelt;
Telegram quoting request of mayor OF
San Francisco that the Public Health
and Marine Hospital Service take i'm
mediate charge Of measures relating 20
the plague situation is received In aC-
cordance with your directions, immediate
action Will be taken and the mayor noti-
fed. Service officers-some especially de
tailed for the purpose-have been coop
Grating with the local authorities, and
measures necessary to prevent the spread
Of the disease 10 other parts by ship
ping are well established. II Is entirely
within our power to assume charge of
measures necessary to eradicate the dis
ease the local authorities cooperating
as indicated In the mayors telegram.
WALTER WYNAN."
Cases n. Old Chinatown,
The first cases of bubonic plague ap-
peared in san Francisco about the middle
Of August. when several patients who
lived within two blocks OF the section of
fire was known as Chinatown were re-
ported to DR.. Wyman by Marine Surgeon
Austin who was Immediately instructed
to confer with the municipal health Off
cials and inform Or. Wyman of the meas
ures for the eradication of the disease
taken by the city officials.
a general disinfection of the suspected
districts was made, and the State board
of health ordered the fumgation Of all
vessels lying in the harbor. Additional
Marine Hospital surgeons were ordered to
San Francisco TO aid in the work. Or.
Wyman had issued orders TO all quaran-
tine officers on the Pacific Coast to in
spect all vessels from San Francisco and
to fumigate them for the destruction Of
rats, which are known to be medium
for the transmission of the disease. Ar
rangements were also made for the de-
struction by fumigatiun of all the rats on
vessels lying in the harbor Of San Fran
cisco.
On August % last the total number Of
cases of bubOnic plague in San Francisco
had reached nine and there had been six
deaths