Year: 1879

ten. adjourned.


EPIDEMIC DIsEAsEs-REPoRT OF THE SENATE
SELECT CoMMITTEE-YELLow FEVER AND
CHOLERA NOT INDIGENoUs-A NATIONAL
QUARANTINE RECOMMENDED


The select committee Of the Senate appointed to
investigate the best of preventing the intro
ducon and spread of epidemic diseases in the United
submitted their report to-day through Senator
Harris. The report states that the committee held
joint sessions with q committee of the House ap
pointed for the same purpose, and that the committee
of the two houses in joint session appointed scien
tic experts to examine into certain branches of the
subject After detailing the operations of the ex
perts and of the subcommittee of the two houses
sent to New Orleans and Memphis the report says:-


From the testimony of eminent medical men and
the conclusions arrived at by the board of scientific
experts after the fullest and most careful investiga
tion possible within the short time allowed, the
committee strongly incline to the opinion that
neither yellow fever cholera is indigenous to any
part the United States and that the great majority
If not ALL of the epdemics Of these diseases with
which the country has suffered so greatly have re-
suited from importation.


The committee are OF the opinion that the best
and only certain means Of preventing the introduc-
ton of these diseases from other countries is abso
lutte non-intercourse with ports where they exist in
epidemic form during the time they exist; and the
next best means OF prevention Is a well regulated
national quarantine strict in its requirements to
the observance of all proper sanitary at the
port of departure by all vessels sailing from infected
ports and equally strict in requirement and enforce
mcnt of all necessary inspections of such vessels.
their cargoes passengers and crews. and the thor
ough disnfection of the same when necessary at the
quarantine station before being allowed to enter any


port of the United States.


While the quarantine regulations may not give alb
soute security against the importation of these dis
eases they will in the opinion of the committee.
prevent importation to very large extent and Sc
benefits greatly in OF possible cost of
their enforcement. The public health is second in
Importance to no question which addresses itself to
the consideration of the legislator, and Congress
should, in the opinion OF the committee, within the
scope of its constitutional powers, adopt such meas
ures are best calculated to preserve and promote
it. In the exercise of the power Ito regulate com.
merce with foreign nations and among the States"
the regulations should he not only
to promote the commercial interests OF the
county by measures ssn suggested BY those
controlled these regulations. but should also so
regulate to prevent far as possible. the impor-
tation of all contagious infectious diseases from
foreign countries and from State to State. To this
end the committee report and recommend the pas
sage of bill which prescrbes certain duties to be
observed and performed by all vessels coming from
any foreign port where any contagious infectious
disease exists before departure and inspection aud
il necessary, disnfection and detention of vessel.
cargo passengers and crew before entering port
OF the United States; and it also establishes bureau
of health. with director general of health as its
chief executive officer, and board of health, CON-
posed of seven members to be appointed by the
President. by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate. and the Surgeon General Of the Army
and the Surgeon General of the Navy to be


ccio members of said Board, and that said Board
of Health shall be charged with the execution of all


sanitary measures within the District Of Columbia.
which are now. may hereafter be- required by law
made in pursuance thereof and also the making.
with the approval of the President such uniform


quarantine rules and regulations upon the commerce
with foreign nations and between the States may
be necessary and authorized by law with the execu-
ton of the 1t is also charged with the super
| vision of all matters connected with the Marine
Hospital service the bill providing that the office of
Supervising Surgeon shall be abolished. 1t is also


charged with the duty of obtaining information as to
| the sanitary condition of foreign ports


While the bill reported by committee does not
present complete and perfect system accomplish
all that it believed will be necessary and proper to


opinion of the committee, step i'll the right direc
ton, the beginning of system that the calamites
of the past have proved to be necessary. and the


benefits Of the future will prove to be important
| In the opinion of the committee Congress has no


power to supersede interfere with any quarantine
| regulations, operating wholly within any State
| which may have been or may hereafter be adopted
by any s,s .s sn % tnf
| addition to such quarantine regulations az


the States may have adopted or may hereafter adopt
| Congress has the power to regulate commerce as
| to prevent the importation of contagious disease


from foreign countries and from State to State The
| bill reported by the committee proposes co-opera-
| ton with State and municipal authorities without


interfering with their respective systems and in


yites the State authorities TO undertake the execution


Of its provisions and provides for the appointment


OF quarantine officers Of the United States only ut


such places at the State authorities may refuse or


fail to execute the law of the United States and the


regulations made pursuant thereto.


| While the committee is of opinion that the en-
/
! prevent the introduction and spread OF epidemic


diseases II is equally well satisfied of the importance


of enforcing strictly the most thorough local sani


tary measures III every city and town that would
| protect the lives and promote the health of its
| citizens.


While the weight of testimony greatly prcpon-
derates and the opinions of the committee strongly
incline to the conclusion thar neither cholera nor


yellow fever is indigenous to any part OF the United
States yet the proof of the fact that the latter II not
BOTH may not originate here il IL not conclusive
| as to justify warrant Cities towns communi-
ties in relaxing the slightest degree in the observance
essary to and promotive Of health.


WOMEN ADMITTED TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE
SUPREME COURT.


In the Senate to-day Mr.. Mcdonald. of Indiana.
moved to postpone the pending and all prior orders
for the purpose of taking up the House bill to re-
lieve certain legal disabilities of women which was
agreed to-yeas 81, nays 20.


The bill provides that any woman who shall have
been member of the highest court of any State or
Territory Of the Supreme Court of the District of
Columbia for the space of three years and shall have
maintained a good standing before such court. and
who shall be person of good moral character. shall
motion and he production Of such record, be ad-
mited to practice before the Supreme Court of the
United States. After some discussion the bill was
read third time aud passed without amendment
yeas 4O nays 20. 1t now goes to the President for
his signature.