in whatever precautions might be decided upon. After full discussion, the following was issued: PROCLAMATION. Whereas, This board is confident that in the light of modern scientific knowledge, and with the co-operation of the health and civil authorities, physicians and people, Kentucky can safely continue its traditional and liberal policy of keeping an open door for citizens of our sister States who are fleeing from the pestilence of yellow fever; and Whereas, In announcing this policy the board does not for one moment lose sight of the fact that it was created and is maintained to guard and protect the health and lives of our own people, and fully appreciates the grave responsibility it thus assumes; and Whereas, This primary duty requires that this board and its auxiliaries in the various cities and counties shall keep track of each refugee so as to be able, with entire safety to others, to humanely care for those who may develop the disease, as we know can be done by protecting them from the bite of mosquitoes; Now, therefore, be it known, that by virtue of authority vested in us by law, all passenger railway conductors on trains coming into this State across our southern border and captains of steamboats from the South touching at any port in this State, are hereby made official inspectors for this board; and it is required that they shall give daily notice to this board, upon forms prescribed by it, of all persons from New Orleans or other districts infected with yellow fever, bound for any place in this State, who is not provided with a certificate of freedom from infection from the proper city, State or National authorities, giving the full name and exact place of destination of each person. It is further required that all day and sleeping coaches running through from New Orleans or other districts infected with yellow fever which have their temporary or permanent terminal at any point in this State be closed and immediately fumigated with sulphur, not less than three pounds to each 1,000 cubic feet, upon reaching Such terminal. Health authorities and citizens in every city, town and county are hereby requested and directed to take immediate steps to remove all nuisances and sources of disease within their respective jurisdiction or upon their premises, and to drain, empty or properly oil or cover all ponds, pools, barrels or other receptacles which are or may become breeding places for mosquitoes; and it is urged that all houses be screened not only against mosquitoes, which may convey yellow fever and malaria, but against flies, which carry typhoid fever, a disease of far more practical importance to our people. It is believed that the fear of yellow fever will prove a blessing to Kentucky if it induces such health reforms as will not only prevent it, but lessen the typhoid fever, diphtheria and other domestic pestilences which cause such a large and needless sick and death rate every year. By order of the State Board of Health of Kentucky. WILLIAM BAILEY, M. D., The county boards of health received this proclamation with a unanimous accord, but our next chief difficulty was with the city boards, a few of which consisted of laymen and the youngest and most inexperienced physicians in their localities. In several towns such action was taken as the following: At a meeting of the City Board of Health of Fulton, Ky., on August 4, 1905, the following resolutions were adopted, viz.: First, That Fulton, Ky., be quarantined against New Orleans or other districts infected with yellow fever, and that no person be allowed to stop at Fulton, Ky., unless they have a health certificate showing that they have not been in New Orleans or other infected districts within the past ten days preceding. Second, That all day and sleeping coaches and freight cars running from New Orleans or other districts infected with yellow fever, which have their temporary or permanent terminal at Fulton, Ky., must be closed and immediately fumigated with sulphur on arriving at such terminal. Third, That the American Express Company stop at once shipping via Fulton, Ky., chicken coops and all tropical fruits, except lemons and oranges, from any of the infected districts. To each of which some such reply was sent as the following, invariably raising the local quarantine: State Board of Health of Kentucky, Executive Office. Bowling Green, Ky., August 6, 1905. Dr. S. Cohn, Secretary City Board of Health, Fulton, Ky. Dear Doctor: After careful consideration of the yellow fever situation, this board has decided that local quarantines are worse than useless, giving rise to a false sense of security which interferes with. the exercise of effectual precautions and imposing unnecessary restrictions upon travel and commerce. For these reasons it is my duty to give you official notice that the quarantine imposed by your board is hereby raised, We have provided for a careful inspection service for all passengers on trains and boats from the South, and we are satisfied that there is no danger from freight under present conditions. You will receive prompt notice of any one going into your city who has been exposed to the disease. No refugee is a source of danger unless he develops the disease, and not then if placed in a well screened room and protected from mosquitoes. It is suggested that instead of quarantine you make war upon all unsanitary conditions in your city, and especially upon mosquitoes, which are now known to be the only carriers of this disease. Very respectfully J. N. MCCORMACK, Secretary. In towns having competent boards this immediately settled the matter, but in a few places considerable trouble was experienced, where unscrupulous men succeeded in getting control of city boards of health and then in farming out the privilege to the worst class of doctors, or even to laymen, of selling worthless health certificates to every applicant. This condition became so notorious that the Illinois State Board refused to honor certificates from Paducah and Cairo. The matter was finally settled by this board appointing State inspectors where necessary, and in Paducah by the city council ousting the Board of Health and electing an excellent one. Much credit was due at that point to Hon. D. A. Yeiser, the mayor, as well as to the splendid medical profession of the city. The following letters illustrate the kind of recommendation that was constantly being sent to our health officers on these points: State Board of Health of Kentucky, Executive Office. Bowling Green, Ky., August 14, 1905. Dr. W. T. Graves, City Health Officer, Paducah, Ky. Dear Doctor: In the matter of health certificates I have just instructed the railroad lines that none are to be honored from your city unless issued by either Dr. P. H. Stewart, Horace Rivers and yourself, and my instructions are that none of you shall issue these certificates except upon careful investigations as to the facts of each individual, and that no fee shall be charged for the same. You are the executive officer of your board, and neither the president nor any other member except yourself has authority to issue certificates. I am giving notice to Dr. Pendley by this mail that this is the law and that he must refrain from issuing certificates. In the matter of the refugees from Louisiana, it was not my intention that these people should be molested or threatened, but simply that you should locate them and be able to treat them in a well screened room should they become sick. They are certainly not a source of danger, and should not be annoyed unless they become sick, and any health board can treat them safely which is provided with a well screened room in advance and will take the proper precautions in their management. Very respectfully J. N. McCORMACK, Secretary. State Board of Health of Kentucky, Executive Office. Bowling Green, Ky., August 14, 1905. Drs. Stewart and Rivers, Paducah, Ky. Dear Doctors: You and each of you are given authority to issue health certificates in the name of this board to such persons as you find, upon individual investigations, are entitled to receive them, but no fee is to be charged for such a certificate in any case. I have notified the railroad authorities not to honor certificates from your city or county unless signed by you or the city health officer, Dr. Graves. I suggest that you confer with him and work together in the discharge of these important duties. Very respectfully, J. N. McCORMACK, Secretary. State Board of Health of Kentucky, Executive Office. Bowling Green, Ky., August 14, 1905. Drs. Whayne and Alexander, Fulton, Ky. Dear Doctors: I have notified the railroad authorities that no health certificates are to be honored from your city or county unless issued by you in the name of this board. You and each of you are hereby appointed official inspectors for the purpose of issuing health certificates, but no fee can be charged for same. I regret to ask you to do this service gratuitously, but under the circumstances it seems necessary for the proper protection of the public health. Very respectfully, J. N. MCCORMACK, Secretary. The splendid co-operation given the board in its action is illustrated by the following circular, issued by the Illinois Central Railroad on this point: Illinois Central Railroad Company.-Office of Superintendent (Louisville Division).-Circular No. 56. Louisville, August 14, 1905. Passenger Conductors: The Kentucky State Board of Health instruct that conductors on our trains do not honor health certificates held by passengers unless issued by the following doctors, when passengers are from the points given below: From Fulton, Ky.-Dr. J. M. Alexander, Dr. A. B. Whayne. From Paducah, Ky.-Dr. P. H. Stewart, Dr. Horace Rivers, Dr. W. T. Graves. Be governed accordingly. A. H. EGAN, Superintendent. Copy to trainmasters, Assistant Superintendent, agent Paducah, agent Fulton, Division Agent. The action of the Board in appointing inspectors was disapproved in some instances, the following correspondence with the mayor of Fulton being an example: Fulton, Ky., August 16, 1905. Hon. J. N. McCormack, Bowling Green, Ky. Dear Sir: I write to know why it is that you have taken such action as the enclosed wire advises. Our city health board was duly elected by my council, and have been doing all in their power to give us proper protection and keep us from danger. I rather surmise that you have been wrongfully informed regarding our health board's acts. Will you kindly let me hear from you, that I may adjust things to your liking, if it can be done. I assure you I will take action at once, as we are very anxious to keep on the safe side. It will work quite a hardship on the people to have to look up the secretary of the county board to get a health certificate, as he is often out of his office. Yours truly, J. F. FALL, Mayor. The telegram referred to above was as follows: |