The New York herald., 1921-02-15
New Regulation to Fight
Typhus Menace Will Go
Into Effect Here Within
"a Hours.
SHIPPING MEN SHOCKED
Boy Dies of Disease With
out Contact With I'M
migrants-First Death
Since 1892.
LINER AS ISLAND ANNEX
Minnesota Turned Over to
Port Health Officer by In
ternational Mercantile
Marine.
LINER AS ISLAND ANNEX

A twelve day quarantine, virtually
doubling the length Of the voyage from
Europe to the United States, was de-
cided upon yesterday by the Public
Health Service as a precaution against
typhus fever. When put in effect this
drastic ruling means ocean liners like
the Olympic and Imperator. which
now cross in six days, will be obliged
to lie at anchor in the bay for six
days after their arrival before being
simultaneously it was announced
that the Federal Government will take
over the New York quarantine station
from the State and Immediately reor-
ganize II. The announcement followed
the first death from typhus that has
occurred in this city since 1892
The decision of the Government TO
recognize the typhus menace and do
something to avert 1t came after local
health authorities had been criticising
officials in Washington for several weeks
for alleged failure to act Ewing La
porte, Assistant Secretary Of the Treas
ury in charge of public health, said the
transfer of the title to quarantine and
the new twelve day rule will come within
the next twenty-four hours.
Steamship Men shocked.
The quarantine order came as a shock
to steamship men last night. They had
heard during the day that 1t would apply
TO the port Of Boston. which already is
under Federal control. Putting New
York under the same restrictions prac-
tically closes the sea to the great ships
of the Cunard and White Star lines.
Shipping men. said they could not be-
lievs such an order would be put into
cffect--at least to the extent OF holding
up cabin passengers. The health SER
vice, however. does not distinguish be-
tween first cabin and steerage In its new
regulations to prevent typhus getting a
foothold here. First class passengers
will be subjected to the same examina-
ton and fumigation as third class. 1t
was said.
TT simply means" one steamship
man said last night, that people won't
travel 10 America for pleasure until
these new orders are recalled. They
won't stand for it,
Another step taken yesterday to fight
typhus was the turning over of the Min
nesota by the International Mercantile
Marine to the health authorities OF the
port to provide the additional quarantine
facilities necessary, in the opinion OF
Health Commissioner, to make the city
safe.
Dr. CopcIand's Relief.
Or. Copeland said last night he felt
comfortable for the first time since
typhus became a menace months ago.
The precautions taken by the Health
Department will not be relaxed, how
over, until the new measures have
proved successful In preventing unclean
immigrants from entering the city and
mingling with the population. One hum
dred and sixty arrivals were examined
Yesterday and four were sent to Willard
Parker Hospital to be cleaned.
The typhus victim was James Halli-
gan. Is years old. who died in st. Mary's
Hospital. Brooklyn. after an illness Of
twenty-cight days. The Health Depart
rnent has refused n permit for public
funeral owing to the danger OF Infection.
DR.. William II. Guilfoy, register of
records In the department said there
have been three deaths from Brilrs dis
case. a kind of mild form OF typhus,
since 1892. but none from real typhus
fovcr. The official statement OF the
case shows Halligan became sick jan
nary 16 with severe headaches and
fever. He was taken TO the hospital
January 81 with temperature OF lo4.
How he caught the disease Is ur-
known. but II is thought he was bitten
bv an Infected insect while working on
tho waterfront. Halligan lived In Brook
lyn and had not been out OF the city
for months. nor had he associated with
any one from abroad. so far as known.
!scalth inspectors examined all persons
IN the neighborhood OF his home. but
'sund no traces OF the disease.
Cases Under Treatment.
There are now three typhus cases In
the city that slipped in past the health
authorities OF tho port. Thirty-three
cases on Hoffman Island, which were
taken off incoming ships, are all re-
covering, according to DR.. Leland E.
Cofer. Port Health officer
The Minnesota, which Will be
anchored off Quarantine as soon as she
can be made ready, will be an annex
10 hoffman Island. She n tho largest
vessel that could he obtained. DR.. Cofer
said. She will provide 1000 additional
peds. n necessary TO use her as hos
piLal ship. and will be fitted with show
,'s sprays ana steam dsnfecting
plant. Doctors and nurses OF tho port
health service will be on board.
The International Mercantile Marine
issued the following statement last
night.
"rhc offer OF the ship was made by
y. A. S. Franklin, president of the COM