Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-17
Dcnfhs-
New YoRK, Aug. /
70 JTaher Bourne. Esq.

70 Waier Borne, Esq.
SIR-The Special Medical Council, in reply
10 the commune alton Of his Eycellency, the TO
vernon, to the Board Of Health OF the city OF n.
YORK.. and by the Board referred to them. beg
leave to state:-
That there is strong reason to believe, that
case of Malignant Cholera was observed as early
as the Oath June, the subject Of which was an
old inhabiiant of this city. temperate man, liv-
;nu AZ the corner Of Gold and Frankfort streets.
About the end of the month four more cases oc.
CURED IL me practice OF the same Physician.wh
had VISITED the first, in family residing IN Cher
sry street, thee of whom died, being two children
and their mother; the father, who was first taken
sick, recovered; all these were decent and clean
" people, and their habits temperate. They
w.re Irish emigrants, who had left Canada about
the LIST Of MAY, and had been five or six weeks in
this city. The subjects OF the next cases were
also Irish emigrants, who had been hve weeks III
the city; they were incorporate people, ana even
said TO have been at the funeral of the suoJec's
of the first cases. They all died, as did also Sc
yeral who were at their funeral, and IN state
of n,oxication. Farther than this, we are not IN
possession of any facts. which have bearing up
on the question of the introduction OF the maady
bv importation, either by sea or land. Within
three DAYS from the occurrence Of these cases, II
appeared simultaneously. in various parts OF the
city. At first, il chiefly attacked drunkards
and prostitutes; the latter were also commonly
inremperate; aud the disease still continues to
fall with most severity upon the same unfortunate
class Of people.
/, carried off lab0rers who worked under the
hot sun. and drank ardent spirits or cold water
to excess, or who had eaten full suppers. At
lacks occurred most frequently in the night. 1t
made no distinction OF color, and did not spare
women or children; but the latter being less ex-
posed to its exciting causes. were less frequently
affected great number OF old and debilitated
persons have been carried off. Some error in
diet commonly preceded the attack. The Mem
hers of the Special Medical Council have been
very careful to make the most extensive inquiries
of the Physicians under their direction, and gem
orally among their medical friends, concerning
the premonitory symptoms OF the disease, and
thus far the important fact is confirmed, that the
Invasion Of cholera is, with very few exceptions,
preceded BY some notice OF its approach-uhless
II had b. en- brought by gross violation OF the
rules of living. IA dictated by prudence and laid
down by this council; lntimation OF IT'S approach
is most frequently given by uneasiness or loose
ness of the bowels. The results Of our inquiries
90 likewise to prove, that in this stage the dis
ease is verv much under the control Of medicine,
judiciously adapted to the particular circumstan
A want Of due attention to The premonitory
symptoms, especially to a looseness in the bow
els. is followed by aggravated Cholera. and too
frequently by death.
The certainty of great danger when this war
ming is neglected, and the equally strong assur-
ance Of safety, when these symptoms have been
removed by proper remedies. should induce ev-
ery one TO be watchful Of the first appearance of
diseases and prompt in meeting them. Yet we
still continue to see the most extraordinary in
fatuation upon this subject. With some the
calls Of business, with others the indulgences of
improper habits, and the careessness incident to
an irregular course of living, prevail over their
better interests. divert their attention from the
danger that awaits them, and continues to occa-
sion nineteen tw en.ehs Of all the deaths that oc-
cur; while others BY indiscretlon in diet or regi
men, or unavoidable exposures, are led to the
same unfortunate end The disease not only in
the city Of New-Yurk, but in Harlem and York
vilIe,has usually selected number OF victims IN
. the same house, (usuaiiy but not always crowd
: ed OF filthy one,) sometimes sweeping off whole
family 1t next attacked other houses, not con-
tisuous to the first, but in the same vicnage; and
4 while thus extending in one neishbourhoOd,
would suddenly appear in some remote part Of
The city, and follow the same course. 1t is now