The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-07-11
YELLOW FEVER
NOT IN CUBA
OF THE REPUBLIC
DECLARES HIS COUNTRY FREE
OF THE DISEASE.

Vice Consul MOrelIo, stationed at
the mort of Miami for the republic of
Cuba. denies the statement sent out
BY the Associated Press as coming
from the Medical Record that yellow
fever exists on the island, says the
Miami Metropolis
There is an impression, which may
have MANY believers, that even if
yellow fever is known to exist in Cuba
efforts are made to keep the fact
from being known. Cuba has suf-
fered from its reputation as a breed
ing place for the yellow fever germ.
Vice Consul MoreIlo is emphatic in
DENYING this and his statement is
supported by the official reports. We
quote from a copy Of the last issue OF
the official bulletin of the sanitary
department:
prophyIactic system is bound to dis
appear. Some time, however, must
elapse during which an exact knOwI-
edge of the diagnosis of the disease
must receive careful attention in the
countries in which it was formerly
endemic and with those that have
commercial relations with imperfect
" extinguished foci of the disease.
TT is necessary of course to en-
deavor to arrive. whenever possible,
at an absolute and positive diagnosis
of yellow fever. But it is also of in
terest to learn to appraise the symp-
toms, from a sanitary viewpoint, IN
underlined but suspicious cases of
feyerS of short duration. This is an
important requisite in our endeavors
TO avoid the importation of the dis
ease and in our struggle against ex-
listing outbreaks.
All diagnosis, from sanitary
viewpoint, is transcendental, and the
greatest care should be exercised to
make it exact. Grave are the conse-
quences and great the damages that
may result from an error in the
diagnosis, the responsibility for which
must fall upon the physician.
For this reason to save the pri-
yate practitioner from all RESPONSE
bility, during our present campaign
against yellow fever, the only duty
that has been required Of him has
been the prompt declaration OF all
fever cases in non-immune subjects,
and of course of all cases of yellow
fever or suspicious of the same. His
responsibility ceases with the declar-
alton. At this point the sanitary
authority intervenes establishing the
diagnosis officially, and instituting
the proper measures.
diagnosticians in the shape either
Of a Commission of Infectious Dis
eases in Havana, or of Special In
spectorS and Commissioners in the
infected districts. The importance
Of their decisions does not rest sole
ly on the knowledge and experience
they must possess, but on the fact
that they assume all the responsible
ity before the Health Department.
Il must insist in the declaration
that the technical commissioner does
not pretend to establish any superior
ity over his colleagues His opinion
must be dispassiOnate, without paru =
pris, and with a full appreciation of
the responsibilities that go with the
declaration Of il.
In his conclusions he cannot at
ford to leave any doubts. The case
to him must be definitely yellow fever
or not yellow fever. If his report
pronounces a positive diagnosis he
opens the way to a very decided san
itary action, which is often disagree
able and always expensive"