Evening star., 1915-05-17

prevent this risk and waste 30 far az
possible. Its quarantine service is one
OF its strongest branches. because Of
the number of diseases likely to he
brought in by ships from foreign ports.
many Of which have no health restric-
tions.
The maritime quarantine service of
this country now includes sixty-four
stations. among them the leading ports
OF continental United States. besides
large stations and substations at Porto
Rico, Hawaii and the Philippine Is
lands 1t is under the direction of Or.
Leland l.. Cofer, assistant surgeon gen
eral of the United States. and at each
station properly qualified medical Of
hcers an their assistants are prepared
to follow out in detail the provisions
and regulations which have proved
most efficient in preventing disease be
ing brought into the country from for
eiEn ports.
The quarantine stations include suit
able quarters for the different classes
OF passengers, who would have to be-
detained II a case of infectious or con-
tagious disease were found on board.
They would be compelled to leave the
vessel in order that IL might be fumi-
gated under the direction of the health
officers before II could be permitted to
enter port Under these conditions pas
sengers are regarded as the guests OF
the L nited States government. and spe-
clal pains nave beeh taken 10 insure
their comfort and to make their de-
tention as short as is consistent with
the absolute safety of the public.
A disinfecting wharf at each quaran-
tine station provides the best known
facilities for
Steerage Folk speedy and
Carriers of disease thorough dis
Steerage passengers taken from an in
fected vessel are passed through show
er bath alleys. and supplied with fresh
clothing to wear while their own cloth
ing is being disnfected AS over 30
per cent of the contagious diseases
brought into this country are brought
by steeraGe passengers. the utmost
care is used to insure their freedom
from infection.
The studies continually being mads
as to the nature of communicable dis
ease have materially lessened the
period of detention at quarantine sta
tions. II now ranges from five to if-
teen days. according to the nature ~
the disease. and also al the discretion
of the officer in charge of the station.
Cholera, yellow fever, typhus, sma n
poX and plague are the diseases most
often encountered. The plague is most
frequently communicated by rats. aud
the OBSTRUCTION or the rats upon an IN
fected ship is one of the most inn
portant of the quarantine measures
Most of the quarantine work of this
country is now IN the hands of the fcd-
eral authorities. As the result of
conference last week. arrangements
| have been made for the public health
service to take over the quarantine
| work of Boston. A similar arrange
| ment will be made in Galveston within
| a few weeks The increase in disea ss
resulting from the European war rem
| ders il imperative that the utmost
| vigilance should be exercised to pro-
tect the health of this nation. The adj
vantages to be secured from federal,
well understood. The possibility of dis
ease being brought into the country is
| a national rather than a local matter.
| When the entire quarantine arrange
mentS are under the direction of the
! public health service, unity of regu-
/ lations and protection Is secured which
would be impossible under state or city
! control Through the cooperation of
| other government departments. espe-
cially the Department of State. the
health service bureau secures a thor
| ough knowledge of the health condi-
| tions in foreign ports. and is thus
calling for special precautions, as in
| the Greek vessel referred to. AS this
| service is under military control. II is
not affected by political changes. which
often prove destructive to good quar-
antine administration under local au-
thority. With but three exceptions, tho
| quarantine of each of the large Ameri-
can cities Is now under the national
| public health service.