( 72 ) 
Dr. Grubbs 1 of the U.S. Marine Medical Service made an examination 
extending over five months at the Gulf quarantine station, on Ship Island, 
of vessels arriving from Stegomyia infected ports. Eighty-two vessels were 
examined between June ist and November ist, of these 78 were sailing ships 
and four steamers. The result was as follows : — 
Vessels with no mosquitoes on board at any time 
Vessels with mosquitoes on board at Port of departure 
Vessels on which mosquitoes appeared en route (culex) 
Vessels arriving with Stegomyia fasciata on board 
65 
5 
9 
3 
In these three cases, which were sailing vessels and were 13-20 days out, 
the Stegomyia had come on board at Vera Cruz in two instances, in all 
probability on the wing as no larvae were found in the tanks ; in the third 
case Stegomyia larva; as well as the adult mosquitoes were found on board 
before the ship left Vera Cruz, and a plague of Stegomyia was found on board 
her on arrival at Ship Island, the water barrels breeding them in transit. It 
is possible, therefore, for the Stegomyia to invade ships at Stegomyia infected 
ports, for in ports where the wharf or anchorage is close to dwelling houses 
the common mosquito on the wing is the Stegomyia fasciata , which is breeding in 
every uncovered barrel and clean water receptacle in the vicinity. Moreover, if 
w'ater is taken in by sailing ships it is usually taken, in the case of Stegomyia 
infected ports, from the large wooden storage vats which in all probability 
contain larvae. Dr. Carter, 2 during his Ship Island quarantine experience of 
three years up to 1894, gives the history of 13 vessels (these appear to be all 
sailing vessels) chiefly from Rio de Janeiro, in which Yellow fever developed 
on board. He is of opinion that since 1893 such vessels are much rarer 
owing, amongst other reasons, to the substitution of steam for sail. Rosenau 
reported a case of Yellow fever contracted on a steamship in 1899, and in 
1900 a steamship from Bocas del Toro (fruit port) developed three cases, seven, 
eight and nine days out. In the records of the Marine Hospital Service there 
are numerous other direct observations of the transmission and development of 
the Stegomyia fasciata on board ships. 3 2 So that it may be taken as proved 
that ships can act as carriers, but not to the same extent as formerly. 
Mosquitoes in Baggage: — In considering this question of the transference 
of Yellow fever by trade routes, the possibility of baggage conveying the 
Stegomyia fasciata has to be considered. The conclusion (Reed and Grubbs) 
is that in a dry state, in baggage, the Stegomyia will not survive more than two 
or three days. Dr. Grubbs points out that they may, however, survive much 
longer in the presence of moisture. Dr. Souchon, President of the Louisiana State 
Board of Health and Dr. Gill from experiments also agree with the statement. 
Transference of Yellow fever cases by the Fruit and other Steamers 
trading with Gulf and Fruit Ports: — Steamers arriving from infected ports 
may carry passengers or crew who develop Yellow fever in transit or on 
arrival. Dr. Souchon, on observations extending over 15 years from 1886, that 
is, from the date of commencement of the fruit industry between New Orleans and 
‘Bulletin No. 11 Yellow Fever Institute, Washington, 1903. 
- Yellow Fever Institute Bulletin No. 9, Washington, 1902. 
11 See also for considerable record, “ Fruit Vessels, Mosquitoes and Yellow fever.” Dr. E. 
Souchon. Journal of American Medical Association, June, 1903. 
