Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-12
CHOLERA IN NEW YORK.
Board OF HEAlrn, IL O'Clock, Noon,
New York, August 9th, 1884.


In the discharge Of the S1eicate and RESPONSE.
BILE duty devoiving upon them, and justly APP
preciat:ng the great interests committed to their
charge the Board Of Health have deemed an
official communication to their fellow-citlZehs
both proper and expedient at the present Time
The fearful ravages Of the malignant disease
which desolated our city two years since, aretoo
fresh in the memory OF the citizens not 10 feli-
der them exceedingly sensitive TO every lndlCa-
tion of q return Of that fearful malady. Ru-
mors however vague and unfounded, are cal
cuIated me yitably 20 excite alarm, and TO pro-
ance the result Ipost strongly deprecated by
those who circulate them. To the END that
there nav ne no unnecessary apprehension IN
the pubic mind, in relation to the prevalence OF
any endemic disease the Board of Health VIII,
from tine 90 tin,e, as circumstances may seem
20 reonire. communicate all the information IN
th.,;r nossession on a subject OF such deep I'M
portance TO the community.
During the last week, various reports were
circulated of the existence OF Cholera IN our
civ. The attention OF the authorities was IN
every instance Immediately directed TO an IN
yestigation OF the facts. In no case, however,
was there found sufficient reason TO justify an
official announcement of the disease known as
The Asiatc Cholera. AT the meeting OF the
BOARD on Friday the lst inst, it was stated that
6ur cases and one death has occurred, IN which
the symptoms were strongly marked; OUT IN
neither instance was there any evidence tnat
the disease partook Of malignant character.
Hinder these circumstances, the Board did not
consider tina, the public good would be consult
ed by publication at that time.
Since the period referred TO, the attention Of
the Board of Health has been called TO number
of cases reported as Cholera, of which seven
had terminated fatally up to the evening OF the
7th instant. During the last thirty-siX hours
further reports have been received, and seven
l-ino fnta
of fourteen deaths, since the 23d OF july, oy
disease pronounced by physicians, to be Choie-
IA. These cases were all, with single eXcep-
ton, OF an isolated character, and not traceaoie
10 any particular local cause. In the exception
mentioned, three individuals diedn one hour, bat
the attendant circumstances, the habits, occt-
nation and situation of the sufferers were such
as 20 prevent either surprise or alarm at the re-
suit.
No'evidence has yet come to the knowledge
of this body that the disease has been commu-
tlicated by contact OF association. No INTERRUPT
tiou of the general health OF the residents IN the
street or neighborhood has occurred, in conse-
uuence o. me deaths referred to. The Board,
therefore feel justified in assuming the TACT that
the type OF the disease in these instances exit
bits neither the epidemic nor the malignant cha-
racter which constituted orig laiiy the grea,
terror of Cholera.
In a community numbering about two hun
dred and fifty thousand souls, at the season OF
theyear when the ordinary cholera morbus usu-
ally prevails il ought not 20 be matter OF snr-
prise that cases should occur, which present
SYMPTOMS Of malignancy. The large quantities
of unripe fruit and Of crude and decayed vege-
tables which are daily brought 10 The markets
and become the food of the inhabitants, furnish
a continual and active Indictment to diseases OF
this character.
The Board ofHealth having maturely weighed
all the circumstances connected with this sub
iect and feeling strongly solicitous to dissent
nate only facts and just differences in what they
state have come 10 the conclusion that there is
no well founded cause for apprehension in re-
gard TO the general health Of the community
They announce to their fellow citizens as the
deliberate conviction Of their judgments, that
no disease OF contagious epidemic character
exists in this city.
The most assduous attention of this Board
will be directed TO every case of disease of a
suspicious character which comes to the knowi
edge of the members. 1t is their determination
at ali times TO communicate with their constitu-
elts in the spirit oftruth and canGor, and when
ever they shall see cause TO change their opin-
ion as to the public health, however deeply they
may regret the existence Of such necessity,
they viii nevertheless unhesitatingly avow the
fact Thew therefore ask with confidence that
their fellow citizens will place full reliance upon
the official Communications of this body.
VAs Board OfiIedith respectfully but earnest
= I-c9mmeadt 70 the citizens, and all other in
f-nt-..s, 10 exercise prudence and discretion
h. ..sr diet and general conduct; to abstain
frs.a the use Of ardent spirits, and from exces~
e,s Of every kind; tn practice habitual c!ean-
hess IN their persons 70 cleanse their premises
aud remove aliimpurities by frequent and iree
use OF the weiL known GIsnfecting agents.
With these precautions, and bv the blessing
Of Providence, We may confidently expect that
our community will be spared from the Affections
which attend the peStiience.
C.. w LAWRENCE.
President Of the Board Of Health.
]. MORTON, Secretary.
Cholera A5roaG.-From Montreal we have in
teligence to Monday last, (the 4th,) inclusive