The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-08
The cholera In New YOrl<-MeetIng of the
Physicians.

On Wednesday evening, the New York Academy of
Medicine held their usual monthly meeting, but it was
pervsding and mysterious cholera had for long time
past engaged the private speculation Of its members
charged with the duty of making report upon that
universal scourge of our race very elaborate one
accordingly presented by DR. Easle combining, as
lie epsrate labors Of every individual Of the
committee which it had been his PROV chair
man, incorporate into connected treatise on the
history origin dsscrip treatment, and character
of the disease with statement of prec autonary
suIes tending to prevent is approach diminish its
II will not be to the purpose to enter into detail
upon any of these matters the report having
prepared previous to the of the cholera at
the Quarantine at Staten Island was necessarily
silent that all absorbing event. After assigning to
this disease a very high antiquity indeed, making it
stance which entities it certainly to the distinguished
position which it maintains society-the committee
procseded to speak Of the prevalent theories of its
origin; the atmospheric, animacularan, teluric cleo
trio and netic but could arrive at conclusion
after all but the profound one Of Marshall Hail. that
its origin very obscure" Beside its cause, the
public ID principally concerned In its prevention and
cule On these topics the report was sensible and full
but added little nothing to what we have all been
advised of the publications Of the Board Of
Health and others in the daily press
After this docum, mt was disposed Of, q letter from
Can't Ivndss of the Havre packet ship which lately
arrived at Quarantine, from that city was read. 1t
stated that his vessel with nearly four hundred souls
on board all in good health their departure from
Hayre where this disease not the known to exist
had been seventeen days only in which they had
q
board m ade application to him for medicine Several
others we're taken rick with similar symptoms
way tupposipg them to be afflicted with darrne, or
dyseptery but they all died to the number, think
OF al out dozen. Down to the writing OF the letter.
which was dated yesterday, out Of nineteeen cases
at sea- and the Island, but two or thre finally sur
vived
In addition to sc facts another very preg nant
was stated that Of cholera in persons not
ctcd with the ship and situated another part
Of the hospital, had occurred
IN Intel liza "a p WI
Academy ehsll adjourn, they adjourn to meet on
Tuesday evening next. Connected with this was
on Public Health be instructed to investigate the
course Of the dis prevalent at Quarantine, aud
make report thereof at the next session Of the Acs
demy The motion for special meeting of the AGA.
derry earnestly opposed by DR. Rees, because its
object vould get abroad and materially aggravate the
alarm alre adj prev ailipg 10 the community.
On the other side, it replied by Dr. Stevens with
much force that exsegeration was always powerful
instrument to propagate alarm, that 1t vas always
most euccessful In cases Of ignorance. What
to do then, standing in the position OF physicians of
New York is to ascertain the truth forthwith and
perfectly true and frank statement Is the surest
remedy for a morbid excitement, as 1T will b. the
legitimate and honest M thod of acquiring and de-
serving the fdence Of fellow citizens who will
and look at profession for correct intel
gence and effectuel aid.
But If it we're not So have still duty to perform
1t h our business sacred obligation e inquire, to
convene to discuss and make use OF every agency IN
our power to discover the character Of and to battle IL
possible this terrible enemy. Partial and temporary
fncon to yield to the public good Heres
an opportunity. perhaps, such as has not, to my
knowledge previously existed to settle great princ
pie Of universal concern. From the statement made
to night. 1t appears, that the Havre packet left a
healthy port with healthy company who continued
20 for sixteen days. Was fhe disorder, which then
broke out and which believe to be the Asatic Chole
"a disease de npsoi Another important account, II
true is that two persons noway connected with the
voysge but residing In another part of the hospital on
the arrival Of the ship have been attacked with choe
IA. Contrary to the received theory, is 1t then COM
municable from person tv another! II would
fo 1t is Of the very last Importance to know, aud
does II OF devolve upon cur body as depository Of
die al science well rs conservator of the public
faty to ssize the present favorable occseion to
large the boundaries Of the while 1t laboring de-
veiedly FOR the pres rvacn Of the o,her? "Do right
aud fear not /"
Dr. Drake further enforced there considerations aud
added, that ought not devolve obligations
o great and honorable profession any other body of
men whatever rs had been recommended. For his own
part he fs peciai confidence in the efficiency OF the
Boord Of Health and the authorities of the city Iioc
could he do looking round upon nasty streets.
into filthy cellars and numberiess other manufactures If
disease, in uninterrupted action throug hoa this east
dirty metropolis.