The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-11-14
HEALTH OF cHARLEsToN.

The Strangers fever still prevails in Char.
!estca notwithstanding the frost which has
occurred. The Courier of the 18th instant
says.
1t may he expected, indeed the time has
arrived when 1t is due 10 our readers 10 give
them Whatever information we have been able
to obtair, as TO the true state of the health of
the City, as an epidemic, although unusually
mild in its character, as compared with al
most any other season in our experience, has
prevailed for some weeks past, and has, from
the grossly exaggerated reports that have
gone forth, proved prcjudcal to the business
of our City
We have no disposition to set up our opin-
ions as authority. We arc but the recorders
OF public sentiment, and claim no other posi-
ton. But we feel that journal that reflects
public opinion, occupies highly responsible
position, and its conductors, especially where
serious matters are concerned, should be
cautious and assured Of the correctness OF It's
assertions.
These remarks are made, and it is distinct
lly desired that they should apply to those who
have, during the prevalence of the Strangers
Fever, been in any way concerned in giving
currency TO the outrageous runlors that have
been so industrioGsly circulated abroad, TO
oui PASJuu'cGb dbu VIC uCoIiC w it.PEC3S Oh Tie
minds OF those who read our remarks, that
they are not made without good authority to
substantiate their truth.
During the week ending on the Ist Sep
tember, there were six deaths of white per-
sons reported, twoby bilious fever. Tho fol.
lowing week ten whites died, four Of which
by bilious fever. The succeeding weekly re-
port announced six deaths by Strangers Te-
yer. The knowledge that several deaths by
that disease had previously taken place, hav-
ing become generally known, the Board of
Health decided to announce it officially, al
though it was then doubted by many whether
it was even necessary to do SO, as the Iatcness
of the seasonlcd nll TO believe that the fever
would not beicf serious character. On one
or two ccassions,ns often rs we deemed II
important, the weekly reports were referred
TO, and on the 3lGtsuit, @egavn summary
of The deaths, rs officially reported, then
amounting tool. Since the publication OF
Tho report on Whirhtha article was prcdca
ted. there were during The week, ending Sd
inst, II deaths by tile edisease, making total
Of only one huadrcl and six in two months,
ny Strangers Fever.
The bills of mortality, during the whole of
this period, would not compare disadvantage
ously with many cities enjoying perfect free
dom from cpidemical disease, and this proves
conclusivcly, what we have before asserted,
that the fever has been OF nilder form, and
less fatal in it's character, than ever before
known, when it has appeared att all.
Now for the present state Of our health
Some believe that the weather has been cold
enough 10 produce frost, which would eflec-
tualiy prevent the further progrese of the
disease. It may be that white frost has been
produced. but that the Thermometer has fallen
to point that would produce frost entirely
eradicatng the fever, we do not credit. The
deaths since last report have been, rs we learn
from AZ authorized source very few in num-
Der, and these were the effects of mprudent
cxposue, and but few solatei cases have come
to our knowledge for several days past, al
though we have made especial inquiry.
1t is our opinion that there is now but very
little apprehension OF the further progress OF
the disease, even in the absence OF a killing
frost, and shall gladly hail the appearance Of
the welcome morning that gives tangible evil
dence OF its bligh,ing, yet anxiousy desired
presence.