The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
Defense Against Foreign Disease
By G. h. LAVENDER

Exclusive Service the Survey Press Blu
reau)
This country in common with most
others considers it essential to adopt
measures to prevent the Introduction
within its borders of certain communica-
BILE diseases, and SO there has originated
our system of quarantine defense against
foreign disease.
Quarantine powers and duties are in the
hands of the United States public health
service. Its regulations concern only
those vessels which sail from foreign
ports to our own shores. They do not
concern our large coastwise shipping,
These regulations, moreover, do not con-
fine themselves to what is required at our
own ports. but they set forth certain re-
quirements to be observed by vessels
while in foreign ports and while at sea-
Clean Ships
What have we to do with vessels in for
eign ports and at sea? Let US see. There
is an old household saying: TT is easier
to keep clean than to make clean" This
is quite applicable in all sanitary work
We have nothing to do with vessels in
foreign ports unless they are sailing for
our own shores. When they have that in
tention, then we may make certain re-
quirements of them: may. in fact. require
them to do certain reasonable things In
the hope that they will keep clean, sc
that we may not have the disagreeable
duty of making clean when they arrive
in our own ports.
These requirements in foreign ports and
at sea include many things: the vesse
must be mechanically clean in all parts
and disinfected II necessary; If carrying
passengers she must have proper all
space, ventilation, water and food sup
plies. hospital accommodations, ETC.. GER.
tain restrictions are placed on her cargo
on the baggage Of passengers and on pas
sengers themselves. Then there are 9
number of restrictions with regard to spe.
cial diseases specified in detail; ant
finally the vessel must obtain bill Of
health from her original port and a sup
Elemental bill of health from all subse
quent ports.
Bills Of Health
These bills Of health must be obtained
in foreign ports from United States con.
suls. or from specially detailed medica
officers of the public health service. Bills
VI iiSuAths eAiCA CAOi Y, 6iN dS Jul Is III ~
make in foreign ports those requirements
which we deem necessary of any vessel
desiring to sail to a port of the United
States.
What vessels are subject to quarantine
inspection? All vessels from foreign ports
save those from certain excepted ports
near our frontiers; any vessel with sick
ness on board: vessels from domestic
ports where cholera, plague or yellow
-.
typhus fever prevails in epidemic form
and certain vessels from yellow fevor
ports at certain seasons of the year. All
such vessels are considered in quarantine
upon arrival and must fly the yellow f1ag
until released by the quarantine officials
The diseases classed as quarantinable
are only six: cholera, yellow fever, small
pox, leprosy. plague. and typhus fever
They are all communicable diseases, and.
when introduced into a community. spread
with more or less rapidity, some of them
quickly becoming epidemic. Many other
communicable diseases like typhoid fever
measles chicken pox and so on, do not
warrant quarantining vessel. Their
presence. however. is noted by the quaran-
tine officer and the proper authorities OF
the port are notified when the vessel Is
released.
Quarantine Stations
At or convenient to our principal ports
there are maintained by the national gov
eminent quarantine stations. except in the
few cases of state quarantine. At every
port. small or large, there is an inspec-
ton service. If there is no quarantine sta
need quarantine treatment. she is re-
manded by the quarantine OFFICER to the
nearest quarantine station.
An inspection station requires little
equipment except some facility for board
ing vessels. A fully equipped quarantine
station, however, Is another matter. II
should have adequate provision for board
ing vessels and making inspections. ever
in rough weather. It should have a large
pier with deep water alongside for hand
ling vessels. or else floating craft Of it,
own to take alongside the vessels them.
selves. There must be apparatus for me.
chanical cleaning of vessels. and for dis
infection by steam. sulphur and formal
dehyde as well az for the use Of disinfect
ing solutions. There should he hospitals
for contagious diseases, doubtful cases
and other sick. detention barracks. house.
for caring for passengers and crews bath.
ing facilities. crematory, a supply O,
water and proper system for disposal OF
sewage.
The duties OF quarantine office,
are foreign to the average doctor and
men must be trained especially 70,
such work. As part of his equipmen,
the quarantine officer must be postef
on the worlds health. especially with
regard to quarantinable diseases and
where such diseases are prevailing
The public health service publishes {
weekly magazine called Public Health
Reports. which IL devoted entirely t.
such matters
Shin Inspection
The usual procedure, on boarding tn,
vessel. Is first an examination Of tn,
bills of health and q talk with tn,
master of the vessel. In this way In
formation IL gathered az to the elias
Of vessel, her cargo and personnel
where she IL from. what eyents O
sanitary interest have happened on tn
voyage. etc. Next II an inspection b
| the vessel. her cargo and personne
| In so far a. may be necessary. Pas
senGers and crew. when necessary. ar
asnembled on deck and their number
checked up with crew and passen0e
IlIsts and bills Of health. II necessary
| Temperatures are taken ond guohI fur
Their examination mAdo e elrpum
stances 010oatA r. IL QUnknGt1UD ~