The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-08-31
ORLEANS MEDICAL DIsPENsARY, !

Editors Crescent-Gentlemen: Having been called the
country Tor two three days past the mercury at 93 deg
and rising the mosquitoes like the ocusts of Egypt assang
the moment am seated, my consequently much
occupied action suspended and patience exhausted, that
have not been able to furnish with this communication in
the regular order of time in which should have appeared
And now, after the admirable effort OF nature last night
eQua2e the excessive heat that had during the two prece
ding days rendered the air hot for comfortable respiration
feels disposed seek the shores of our Bioxs and
Pacagouas, and er. under those majestic oaks whose
umbra and outpread invite their embrace
enjoy the refreshing breeze, the quiet epose, the
soothing music Of the SrgV wave, which comes DER the
soul like the sweet South and whose last faint
they expire the shelly beach, in Leean dreams fade
away upon the ear than make single effort abOrOus
thought action Well IT'S all but dream at the best,
and who can't get away seek enchanting scenes, but
remain up home, dreaming Of mosquitoes, hot
suy nights and hard work, had better be occupied at
thing else, than the dangerous pursuit Of tHCHcSS. So
will having leisure hour this morning, resume remarks
the practicabliy of New Orleans being made healthy
city.
1t may be recoected, perhaps, Notwithstanding the time
that has interviewed between this and last communication,
that have already clearly demonstrated that places Of SINH
lar latitude and Typographical position, places adjacent TO and
from this city yea parts of the city itself have
been entirely exempt from epdemos by of efficient
system of medical police while New Orleans generally suf
tered at the time, from those diseases.
In proof of this position have cited Fort Pike Fort Wood
CarrOton, plantations above and below the city its pertn
rural districts, and urban parts OF the city
etc. All of which, 10 my UNDERSTANDINGS subsan-
tally yes infinitely, to establish the fact that New Orleans
only demands only needs the OF similar means to make it
equally healthy. Or in other words the want of cleanliness
and free ventilation, the true source OF our epidemic dis
eases
Now The only question be answered t. " cleanliness
and free ventilation be effected in this The work
hercuean yet it be done-the Augedn stable, though
foul that Of Augeus ITSELF which seemed almost impossible
TO execute, must be Ceansed, and the responsibility Of the
task is deVOved upon the Board of Health. And in aid of
this arduous undertaking. and to secure lis certain accom-
| Ia en- he inn DI he
Board Of the public authorities, to the existence Of
fruitful source OF epidemic disease, which far as am
advised, has escaped their observation aude to the pools
OF 7agnan water which for lie concealed beneath the
GROUND floors Of these little buildings CT rather
hanes hastily boxed up without regard to cleanliness
aOn, for the especial accommodation OF the poorer csses
the abodes Of wrechedness and misery, which fall the
unhappy lot OF the poor and ignorant immigrants who are
annually crowding city and hence is, here find
The first and greatest mortality During the epdemcs Of yell
low fever and cholera in 1878 became my painful duty
look upon the most rghuI ravages of dsease apparently
from these causes For the better information Of the Board
and Municipal authorities will give the iJrgte OF most
markabe instance in point t0ceued in OF those RSaRt
huts on Circus street. called Fnks Row. The the
ground floor, about 10 by IL feet, Occupedso was
informed by lnmae-by nine grown persons, and about
the same number Of children, all Immigrants called
upon, physician to the Ward, o'clock in the
mCning to visit this pesent howell and upon entering it. the
stencil 5ickenng and oppressive, that compelled
instantly 10 retreat back again into the yard Upon calling
again, discovered the mud apparently state
Of fermentation oozng between the panks OF the floor
which seemed to have been laid in direct with the
mud, aud from augerhoe7 that penetrated eac
board, spirited as stepped upon the floor in quantity and
quality, sickenng lecuience which, with the of free
ventilation quite sufficient account for the mortality
that depopuated this filthy hovel.
This is by uncommon picture! could present
number such which came under observation and
physicians, whose practice calls rem look upon such
scenes, testify its truthuIness But revolving the
sanitary condition OF this miserable abode really similar
causes exist in stately mansions, and although
evident and oahesome yet certain and destructive in Their
consequences This row, aud all such houses, intended for
the occupation Of human beings, demand the immediate
tentOn of the proper authodties-they than
nuisance, and should be declared such These facts call
more mpeavey upon the Board of Health for the nterpo
ston OF their authority for odm than did the act
OF Congress Of March 1919, regulating passenger ships and
vessels which they have resolved enforce. If than
two passengers every five tons he prohibited b0d an
'ipOr vessel coming into this pOrt, now after they
have landed should, according to the rule, be permitted
to occupy rooms twelve feet and square eight feet
hight The fact that immigrants, from cOmmaudable sDO
suon to save much possible, the few dollars they
have brought with them from the old country, ignorant
o. the consequences, crowd themselves almost 10 .uOcaOu
into small and i'll ventilated rooms is well known, and should
be remedied cannot enlarge, though much remains to be
| SGid and done on this subject.
Without intention of being nydous. have designated
certain locality for the purpose of fixing the attention Of the
Board upon tangible point which the work Of med
cal police might he well commenced But there other
and numerous Of epdemics ard though better
concealed by external appearances, certain in then
deeieOus effects upon the atmospheric air. the purity OF
which life and health essentially Depend. Many would
doubtless be much surprised, tell them, that thas,
splendid residences and prncey establishments that Onamen
city, have often the of desoang disease concealed
and fostering beneath the polished foo and gorgeous car
cts which cover them: If to tell them that thu
largest number of those long of stores and dwelling
COmbns-hat those lovely and picturesque cottages
white olabaser, with their refreshing green aced win
dows and Venetian galleries. shaded with mutora and ever
Eeen, which so enchan the eye and beautifully fringe the
outskirts of this widespeadng city whtened sepul
Chres " while beneath them are roenness and dead mem
bOnethat they nhale with every breath of they breathe
morbid eXhalaOn from pools of sagnant water confined
beneath their floors after containing in Of decompOs
ton, rats, frogs snakes and vegetable matter constituting
under peculiar circumstances and combinations, the prov
mate demanded by the virus Of yellow fever and
cholera for their specif development If to tell them
hat such their condition generally, and such their danger
might not be credited yet the facts stated. It IS
well known fact that whole families here and there were
carried of in this city by the late cholera without any one
being able it any evident cause st none can
doubt that exist, and the already given
think satisfactorily accounts for it. But must stop for the
present. Yours, CENCI.