Yellow fever is a much worse enemy to all people who live in warm
climates than small-pox. It is a terrible disease, and often kills its
victims in a few hours. All sailors and travellers in southern
countries have to meet with the scourge, the sailors calling it
familiarly "Yellow Jack."
If it is indeed true that by inoculation people can be made proof
against this awful disease, it will be one of the greatest blessings
this wonderful century has given to man.
As we have said, yellow fever visits our southern shores every year,
though happily not often in an epidemic form. The Government has
therefore sent an expert down to the affected districts to discover, if
possible, where this disease comes from, and ascertain the best means of
preventing it.
Dr. John Guiteras was chosen as the best man to send, and he reports
that it is from Cuba that this unwelcome visitor makes its yearly call
on us.
The doctor declares that the sanitary conditions in Cuba are dreadful.
He says that nothing is done to keep the cities clean or healthy. The
drainage in Havana is of the worst possible description, and in times of
epidemic no attempt is made to prevent the spread of disease.
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