The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-28 00:00:00

FEVER IN LIVERPOOL.

During the last few days rumours of a painful
character have existed as to the prevalence of fever
in this town, and that in several instances the dis-
ease had terminated fatally. Upon inquiry we find
that these reports were not altogether without
foundation. It is, however, satisfactory to know
that the proper precautionary measures have been
promptly taken, and there is now little if any cause
for further alarm. From the information we have
been able to obtain, it appears that on the 25th of
February last a number of Egyptian seamen,
amounting in all to 32, were admitted to the
Southern Hospital. They arrived here by the
Egyptian frigate Sergehat, from Alexandria. The
men were suffering from dysentery, and were in a
very filthy condition. Shortly after their admis-
sion three of the number died, but several others
recovered after being a few days under medical
treatment. Symptoms of fever being observable
among some of those who remained, measures were
immediately adopted for their removal to the Fever
Hospital, where they are still under treatment.
Five of the men were allowed to continue in the
Southern Hospital. These were suffering from
frozen limbs, and in-one case amputation of the
leg was found necessary. Mr. Pemberton, the
house surgeon, and Dr. Cameron, were in
constant attendance upon the sufferers. The
former gentleman is now confined to his
room from the effects of the epidemic, and
a medical student, named Dooley, has, we regret
to say, fallen a victim to the infection. One of
the nurses, likewise attacked in a similar manner,
is also dead. The case of Mr. Dooley is most
affecting. He was the only child of his parents,
and was a young man of studious habits and great
promise. Although he would not have been 21
years of age till next May, he had successfully
passed the Royal College of Surgeons and
Apothecaries-hall. In order to complete his medical
education he was a resident student at the Royal
Infirmary. About a fortnight ago he was sent to
the Southern Hospital to take the place of one of
the surgeons who was laid up by sickness, and
while devoting himself assiduously to the relief of
the poor sufferers he caught the fatal malady, was
removed to his father's house, in Ranelagh-street,
where he was attended by Dr. Cameron and Mr.
Fletcher, surgeon, but he died on Monday evening
—cut off at the opening of what promised to be a
successful career in life. It is with pain we have to
record yet another victim to the infection among
those connected with the Southern Hospital. The
Rev. 0. C. Balls, a devoted and earnest minister,
who had been latterly attending the institution in
his official capacity, was attacked with the disease,
and after a very short illness was stricken down by
the hand of death. The Rev. Mr. Balls had offi-
ciated as assistant curate for two years at 9t. Mary's
Church, Grassendale, where he was held in great
esteem by the congregation. As a mark of respect
to the memory of the deceased, a muffled peal was
rung on the bells of St. Mary's Church on Monday
last. It appears that a few days after the arrival
of the frigate a number of the seamen availed them-
selves of the baths in Paul-street. They appeared
at that time to be in sound health and free from
any disease. Subsequently they repeated their
visits to the baths, and evidently enjoyed the
luxury of bathing. About a fortnight afterwards
one of the male assistants at the establishment was
attacked with malignant fever, but whether arising
from contact with the Egyptian seamen or other-
wise can only be matter for conjecture. In the
case of the assistant the malady terminated fatally.
—Liverpool Mercury.