The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-17

a measure of protection against the transmission of infection, particular ly through oriental steerage passen- gers to the Hawaiian islands and the Pacific coast ports of the United States.
 Yellow fever continues to be re- ported from the Gold Coast of Af- rica and from South America.
 Beginning in November, 1929, the occurrence with high mortality rate of an unusual sickness resemb- ling both influenza and typhoid fe- yer began to be reported in various sections of the United States. lnveS tigation revealed that the disease was psittacosis and that these cases were associated with recently i'm ported and acquired parrots. 1t was deemed advisable to stop the importation of all species of parrots from all countries for the time being until the identity of the causative organism and the unknown means of the transmission of the disease could be studied. As a result. an ex- ecutive order was issued restricting for the time being the introduction of parrots into the United States
 The special regulations governing the transportation of passengers
 
 States ports prescribed during last year were continued in force and have proven effectual in attaining the essential control of the danger heretofore presented by the intro- duction of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis into the United States from oriental ports.
 At domestic ports during the year l7,619 vessels, 914,878 passengers, and 1,163.915 seamen were in- spected upon arrival by quarantine officers; at insular ports, 3,O26 ves- sels, 141,416 passengers. and 216,326 seamen were inspected; and at for eign ports. 4,926 vessels, 514.59O passengers, and 410,604 seamen were inspected prior to embarking for the United States.
 Of the passengers who embarked at European ports, 56,115 were vac- cinated and 74,5O9 were deloused under the supervision of medical officers of the service. Clothing and baggage of these passengers amount ing to 96,381 pieces were disinfected.
 A total of 5,189 vessels were fumi- gated either because of the occur renee of disease aboard or for the destruction of rodents as plague preventive measure. Of the rodents recovered following fumigation, 14,- 047 were examined for evidence of plague infection.
 During the past year the new na- tionalist government of China was reported to have under consldera- ton the assumption of the control of maritime quarantine in Chinese ports. All maritime countries of the world are deeply interested in such aI~n lI service received a request from de- signing architects in the employ of the nationalist government of China for plans and specifications for typi- cal quarantine stations, and such plans and specifications were sent covering the quarantine plants in the ports of San Francisco and New York.
 There has been no material change during the past year in the system of making, in the principal European countries, medical exam- ination of applicants for immigra- ton visas in their countries of ori- gin. The system of the examination of intending immigrants has proven so satisfactory that it is proposed to extend it to additional foreign coun- tries as soon as trained medical off, cers may be available for this pur- pose. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, total of 156,370 applicants for immigration visas were given medical examination in their country of origin. Of the to. tai examined 20,167 or 12.9 per cent were found to have mental or physi- cal defects; 8,608 or 5.5 per cent of the total examined were refused visas for medical reasons. Of 147.. 762 aliens who had been given a preliminary medical examination abroad, and to whom visas had been issued, only 23 were finally certified upon arrival at United States ports as being afflicted with disease ne. cessitating mandatory deportation. The medical examination of aliena abroad is conducted in cooperation with the state department and the immigration service of the depart. ment of labor.