The prophylaxis of yellow fever / by G. M. Guiteras.

  • Guiteras, Gregorio Mario, 1863-1934.
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The prophylaxis of yellow fever / by G. M. Guiteras. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES INDICATED IN INFECTIBLE TERRITORY. We will now consider more in detail the prophylactic measures that should be observed in infectible territory. These may be divided into two classes, to wit: (a) Measures directed against the introduc- tion of yellow fever from abroad; (b) those looking to the prevention of its spread when it has been introduced. Maritime quarantine.—Measures employed to prevent the entrance of infection from abroad are usually included under the term mari- time quarantine and are at present well provided for in the United States by an efficient national quarantine establishment, which is an integral part of the United States Public Health and Marine-Hos- pital Service. The measures ordained against the introduction of yellow fever by the quarantine regulations of this service are based on its well-known period of incubation and the processes of disinfection on the mos- quito transmission of the disease, and are directed to the destruction of this insect both in its larval and adult stage. These measures may be stated briefly as follows: Vessels which may possibly be infected are detained at the port of arrival five days after disinfection; vessels known to be infected, six days. The service has medical officers stationed at all the important ports within the yellow-fever zone, and if the vessel is disinfected at the port of departure under the supervision of this officer, the vessel on arrival at a port of the United States within the infectible area is subject to the following modified treatment: If arriving in five days or less, she may be admitted to pratique without disinfection or further detention than is necessary to complete the five days. If ar- riving after five days and within ten days, she may be immediately fumigated and admitted without detention. If arriving after a longer voyage than ten days, she will be considered as not having been subjected to any previous treatment. This last disposition is based on the possibility that a case of yellow fever may have occurred aboard and recovered within the time mentioned. Passenger traffic from infected ports, without detention, is also permitted by these regulations under the following conditions: Vessels carrying such passengers must be in the best sanitary con- dition and must lie at approved moorings in the open harbor. The crew must not be allowed ashore at the port of departure. The entrance of mosquitoes into the vessel must be prevented, and if they do find ingress must be destroyed. Passengers and crew must be certified as immune by the medical officer issuing the bill of health. The evidences of immunity which may be accepted are proof of a previous attack or ten years' residence in an endemic focus of yellow fever. These regulations apply, of course, only during the close quar- antine season—that is, from the 1st of May to the 1st of November.