Year: 1879




NoPLE.


WASHINGTON. March s, 1872
Tho following circular was issued this afternoon:-


TREASURY DEPARTMENT.


OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL


UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE


WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 8.
To officers of the Customs revenue medical officers
of the Marine Hospital service and Others whom it
The approved April 30. 1878. entitled. "Ap act
to prevent the introduction OF contagious diseases
coming from any foreign port or country where any
contagious infectious disease exists, any
sci conveying infected merchandise shall enter any
port of the United States pass the boundary line
between the United States and any foreign country.
except in such manner as may be prescribed under
such act.


Attention has been called to the prevalence Of
dangerous epidemic disease in Southern Russia,
known plague. and its extremely vkulent and
contagious character as manifested in the late out
break, leaves no doubt that it is similar to If not
identical with the plague which devastated the Old
World in past cepturies.


Because therefore OF the danger which attaches to
rags furs &C.. carriers of Infection the following
regulations pre- framed under the direction of the
Secretary OF the Treasury and subject the approval
of the President for the protection OF the health of
the people of the United States against the danger
referred to-


Until further orders no vessel from any port of
the Black Sea the Sea of Azof conveying any rags
furs, SKINS hair feathers boxed baed clothing
bedding any similar articles liable to convey in
fecton. nor any vessel from port of the Mediter
ranean or Red Seas having ON board such articles
coming from Southern Russia shall enter any
port OF the United States until such ar
tlcles shall. have been removed from the
vessel to open lighters, or to some isolated
locality and the vessel dsinfected and thoroughly
vcntated and the suspected articles shall be disin
feced either by chemical agents and exposure to free
circulation of air. or by burning shall be deter
mined in each case by the Surgeon General OF the
Marine Hospital Service.


Tho certificate OF the State or municipal quaran-
tine Officer of Health may be accepted satisfactory
evidence OF compliance with these regulations on
the part OF the vessel. JOHN NJ WOODWORTH,
Surgeon General, United States Marine Hospital Ser
Approved. r. B. HAYES.
PROGRESS THE PEsTILENcE
Mr.. Heap United States Consul General at Con-
stantinople in despatch to the Department of
State. says that alarming ruMors prevail Of the
progress of the plague in Astrakhan. Constannople
was thrown into panic recently by the report of
the case Salonca Mr. Heap believes that it was
not case Of the plague but OF malignant typhus
fever. The effect of the report has been to increase
the vigilance of the authorities. This much needed
would be frishtfu The condition of the city is Of
itself sufficient to breed epidemic. The winter
has been mild with little rain. which presages any
event sickly summer. The sanitary improvement
of the city begins to awaken attention.


ACTION OF THE RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES.


From the best information the Consul General has
been able to obtain 1t would appear that the pes
thence has in consequence of the energetic measures
taken by the Russian authorities, been confined to
the localities where it made its first appearance.
The focus of the epidemic has bad reputation for
insalubrity. All previous cpidemcs there have been
of virulcnt character


copy of the measures adopted by tho Inter-
national Council OF Health of Constantinople is
transmitted for the use Of the Surgeon General Of
! the United States.