Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-20

Moro Castle another government, char
tered liner with 152 refugees from Vera
Cruz. waiting her turn to dock, SO as to
allow her passengers little shore liberty.
The steamship Monterey, another char
tered liner, has just left the station for
New Orleans, taking to that city 623 refu-
gees brought north from various Mexican
ports.
145 Hours Must Elapse.
Each of these ships has been held or
will be held for a period sufficiently long
to make 145 hours from the time she last
communicated with the shore in Mexico.
In other words, six days and one hour
must elapse from the moment the last
passenger came on board any of the
ships in Mexico before any Of ships
passengers are allowed to land in the
United States. This 145 hours Is the peri
cd of incubation and observation. me
medical officers know that II any pas
senger has contracted quarantlnable
disease it will make its appearance in him
by the end of 145 hours. If it develops
that one passenger has a quarant1naoie
disease the personnel of the whole ship
will be held for a longer period.
AS liner comes up the river flying the
yellow flag which indicates that she has
come from quarantinable South or Cen
trail American port the public health Of
f1cers board her in midstream from
launch or tug, passengers and crew are
lined up on deck, are closely examined.
and their temperatures taken. The latter
is said to be a sure test. II passenger
or member of the crow is found who
seems to be suspect" he or she is
taken ashore. isolated, observed, treated.
cured. Others on the ship so about their
ordinary routine settling down to a wait
In idleness.
Except for the want Of something to do.
to occupy the time the Mississippi river
quarantine station Is a pleasant enough
place. at least during the day At night,
life IS more exciting, for then begins a
struggle for existence which resolves
itself into a battle-royai between
mosquitoes (Which some people say are
of the size of canary bfrds) and human
beings which often literally leaves the
humans gasping for breath after their
exertions. In the eastern part OF the
United States the New Jersey mosquito
is noted as a standard of comparison for
size Among deep-sea men from all over
the world who enter the port OF New
Orleans the mississippi river mosquito"
is the last word as to size.
Tents Are Mosquito Proof.
This mosquito pest has made necessary
the building at this quarantine station
during the rush of refugees of what
are called "burglarproof tents These
tents are completely screened with wire
from their wooden floors to their canvas
tops. Entrance is through a screen door.
The tents are laid out in company
Streets" as at a military encampment.
and water has been piped to the end of
each short street. Each tent is equipped
with four cots. wash-bowls and pitchers
and stools. A family consisting Of a
mother father and two or three children
is given a tent to itself. II there are
four young men. not otherwise attached.
they are given a tent to themselves. Or
if there are four unattached women or
girls they are given a tent to themselves.
There is a male and a female section.
This tent equipment is an emergency
measure. made necessary by the taking
and occupation of Vera Cruz, and the
fact that New Orleans was selected as
port through which the greatest number
of refugees should return to the United
States from Mexico. Should there be
further operations in Mexico this quar-
antine station may be used as a hospital
for returning soldiers
The station is situated on a long point
of land lying between the Gulf of Mexico
and the Mississippi river, formed. in fact.
by these two waters. Bulkheads have
been built on the Mississippi. and drain
age canals cut through to the Gulf of
Mexico, SO that the station Is well
drained. and on the land thus made from
what was once a swamp there are stu
ated eighteen or twenty houses of the cot
tage type, each surrounded by gardens In
which a profusion of roses and other
flowers, including attractive hedges, Is
growing in full bloom.
Other Refugee Ships Coming.