ORGANISATION OF THE CITY 159 



logical order. They will always act as a guide in the 

 case of a yellow fever outbreak. New Orleans at the 

 time had an estimated population of 325,000 of mixed 

 nationalities. There was a large Italian and Sicilian 

 labour population housed in the oldest and dirtiest part 

 of the town, and amongst them yellow fever broke out. 

 It was clear that before the citizens recognised that 

 they had yellow fever in their city, that disease had 

 gained a firm foothold unperceived. Then, when the 

 seriousness of the situation was realised, the first step 

 was to organise the resources of the city to combat the 

 disease, and tlie following manifesto was issued by the 

 Health Authority and Advisory Committee. 



Stej) 1 



An emergency exists in our city to-day which 

 demands the attention of every individual, with the 

 view to limiting and preventing the spread of epidemic 

 disease. It has been scientifically proved that the 

 mosquito is the only means of the transmission of 

 yellow fever, and measures should be especially directed 

 against them. It is especially urged by the undersigned 

 that the following simple directions be followed by the 

 householders of this city for the summer months : — 



1. Empty all unused receptacles of water. Allow 

 no stagnant water on the premises. 



2. Screen cisterns, after placing a small quantity of 

 insurance oil (a teacupful in each cistern) on the surface 

 of the water. 



3. Place a small quantity of insurance oil in cess- 

 pools or privy vaults. 



