Page:Senate Reports 1892–’93.djvu/801

{| satisfactory proof to me that ⸺ has been in neither Europe, Asia, or Africa, or any place where cholera Asiatica exists for the last ⸺, and that ⸺ is in good health at the present time. ⸻ ⸻, M. D., U. S. Sanitary Inspector, M. H. S.
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Senator. These certificates are given by you, are they not?

Dr. . Yes, sir.

Senator. There are three different forms, are there?

Dr. . They are different in form, according to where they are going. Florida requires a different form than New York. The one headed “Health Certiiicate” is simply with reference to cholera. That is a recent one. There are people, for instance, whom New York would receive if they knew they had not been exposed to cholera or were not immigrants, that perhaps would not be received by the State of Florida because they were not acclimated to yellow fever.

Senator. Can you tell us whether cholera has ever been transmitted from here to the United States?

Dr. . No, sir; I can not tell that. It has been here. It has not been here, I think, since 1872. Am I right, Mr. Williams?

Mr. . Yes, I think so. We have had some scares since that, but I think not the disease.

Dr. . In southern Europe and around the Mediterranean they had it when it did not get here. It certainly has not been in any part of the island for the last two years.

Senator. Has it ever been in the States when it has not been here; that is, to any extent, I mean?

Dr. . You mean in the States without getting here?

Senator. Yes.

Dr. . Well, it was in the United States this last year.

Senator. I say, to any extent.

Dr. . No; I do not think so.

Senator. Can you say, when it has been both here and in the United States, whether it has oftener been here first?

Dr. . My opinion just now is that it has oftener been in the States first.

Senator. I would like to ask whether, in the opinion of Dr. Burgess, there is any reason for the United States to take measures to prevent the introduction of cholera from this port into the United States in case very severe restrictive measures are adopted or continued as to the Northern ports; whether it is likely or probable that immigration into the United States by way of Cuba would go on to such an extent as to render it desirable that the United States should legislate to prevent it, having in mind the repressive measures in the Northern ports?

Dr. . I can easily understand, if severe measures were adopted in the Northern ports of the United States against cholera, that this route through here would be tried. Individual instances were tried during this last fall. They openly stated to me that they came here to get to the United States, to avoid detention at New York and other places. These men wanted to get into Florida, New Orleans, etc., but they were unsuccessful. That was checked by the certificate system I have referred to.

Senator. If severer restrictions were put on at our Northern ports than here you think it would lead to quite an immigration through this gateway, or an attempt?