The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-06-26
PREVENT THE PLAGUE
An Ounce of Prevention in Amy Form
Will be Worth Several
Pounds of Cure

The existence of bubonic plague in
the state before its discovery by
health authorities renders more SER
ious the possibility of its spread
throughout the state, according to a
communication received by state
health headquarters from DIR. Ralph
N. Greene, state health officer. While
DR.. Greene does not wish to alarm
the people of Florida needlessly it is
his desire that every port face the
situation squarely and, realizing the
possibilities, give their full co-opera-
ton to federal and state health au-
thorities in their effort to ward off a
statewide spread of the dreaded
malady. Letters to this effect have
been sent to every mayor and local
health officer in the state, together
with rules for safeguarding their
community.
The following statement of utmost
Importance is made by DIR. Greene:
"On account of it having been def
nitely established that bubonic plague
existed in Pensacola as far back as
May 81, 1920, and because the first
case was not recognized until on or
about June II. the people of Florida,
particularly the seaport cities. should
be advised that up to the time of the
reporting of the pleague on June IL
there was no quarantine of coast-wise
vessels or government inspection Of
freight leaving Pensacola. 1t is there
fore within the bounds of possibility
that plague rats may be now present
in some seaport town in Florida, and
for this reason the campaign tof the
state board of health inaugurated for
rat determination should be given
thorough and enthusiastic support by
all officials who are being called upon
to cooperate. 1t is only by the early
discovery of rate plague case that
a human case can be avoided. When
plague once appears in a town. the
expense of rat-proofng structures is
so enormous that the occurrence of
the disease in a community is COM
mercially of most serious Importance
Everything that is humanity possible
to 60 in the way of safeguarding the
railway and water shipments from
Pensacola is being done by state and
federal authorities. But the fact re-
mains that owing to the late date
upon which the plague was discovered,
the people should understand that the
infection may have gotten out of Pen
sacola into other parts of the state.
Vera Cruz, Mexico, Tampico, Gal
weston, Texas, New Orleans, La, and
Pensacola are know points of plague
infection. While no official announce
ment has been made, the state health
officer is strongly inclined to the be-
lief that plague rates may be still
present in Cuba.
Any vessel, foreign or coastwise,
coming into any Florida port from
any know nor suspected plague in
fected city should not be permitted to
land without a clear bill of health
from the u. s. government health ser
vice quarantine officer. All vessels
should be forbidden to come in actual
contact with wharves, and should be
required to brest off at least four
feet at all times. All hawsers and
lines should have a metal rat guard
of not less than three feet in diane
ter, fanged on the center, and so ap-
piled as to remain at right angles
with the line at all times. All gang
planks, cargo nets and other shore
structures should remain elevated at
night, and if the gang plank is not
elevated, guard should be constantly
on duty to prevent rats from coming
ashore.
Where the United States health
service quarantine officer is on duty,
all these details will be attended TO,
but in some smaller ports it is urgent
ly necessary that these regulations be
rigidly enforced by the city officials.