The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-08-23
DIR. Fenner's southern Medical reports.


DR.. Fenner's Southern Medical Reports.
| NUMBER III.
The 9TH article of the Reports from Louisiana is entitled
Statistics of Yellow Fever and of all Diseases in the Charity
Hospital of New for thirty years. from 1920 to ls49
by j. e. Simonds, M D. These statistics are the result Of
labonOus investigation, and, notwithstanding the mperec
ton OF the records from which they made out they throw
sht upon some important points, We here shown the
total number of discharges and deaths from yellow fever the
mortality cent? the total OF ali diseases and the propo
ton OF yellow fever. Dr. Smonds says Tine table show.
the average mortality of yellow fever twenty five years
to be "A cent? and that has slightly diminished That
this dimnuuon is due the adoption OF the qunine treat
ment, or TO improvement in the method of medication
may be doubted, it very slight. 1t generally sup
posed that the disease has been gradually assuming
vrnent type and it very probable that the proportion
mild cases entering the Hospital formerly than of late
years We told by the editor of Reports that the
mortality from yellow fever the Charity Hospital affords no
proper criterion by which estimate the success of private
practices that the class of people who there be treated
generally defer applying for admission until they become
reey Ill too often ill the disease has advanced beyond the
eae stage Under such circumstances we cannot he sur
prsed at The great mortality that this tuton.
d. Fenner shows, in the preceding Report that the mdet
ioin or type of yellow fever will terminate fatally in most
ctses, if neglected. maItreaed in the early stages
Article 9Th Report Epidemic Cholera in the city
OF NewOreans, In 1913 and AZ, by the Editor This is
long and full report this mysterious disease COM
mencement in December 1S the end of 1919 The sub.
ject familiar readers that we shall say nothing of
the report save that 1t valuable contribution TO the med
zeal history of the times, and will probably be referred to at
future PERIOD our city should again be visited by this dread
full scouTge.
Article Sth Special Report on the Epidemic Collie
which prevailed in NewOreans during the 1S49
by the Editor We here find account OF an eHtraor
binary disease that prevailed in the city
tent After the subsdence OF cholera, in June, the Doctor
seems to have completely Investigated the of this COM
plant, and finally conclusion that il was most
probably lead imbbed in soda water 1t is well known that
lead acts as poison the human system, and that may be
Introduced IN sundry ways In trying to find out whether
there extraordinary exposure of our citizens to the
influence Of lead, this summer, his suspicion fell on soda
water and for the following lst Because this fluid
conducted from the fount, through eaden tubes varying
length rom IA 10 OO feet ID because there much less
soda water drank this than usual consequently il
was longer exposed to lead and thirdly because the lower
classes OF people who drink the from founts retired
places where, from want Of demand it kept long time
suffered most from this collie This suspicion strongly
confirmed by the application OF tests for lead by which was
deseced to considerable extent in soda water From this
we infer that the lovers of this delightful beverage so liable
TO De lmpregnated with poison, would think safest drink
al The most trequented fountains, for there the water
exposed to the influence of lead Dr. f. says moreover that
he found, on inquiry that about million feet or more
than thynne miles of eaden tube are used in this city to
convey the water from the iron pipes along the middle of the
streets into our houses for domestic purposes seems to
suspect that may get lead than is altogether
wholesome through these channels. These are important
matiers and commend the Report the special attention
OF our city authorities for further information We leave lis
mes in medical point of vew the consideration of the
profession.
Article 9Th Report the Topography Climate and
Diseases of the Parish OF ST Mary by J. B. DUNCAN D.
This an exceedingly interesting report and contains much
curious Information relative, well the various races OF
inhabitants to OF their peculiar diseases We make
the following extracts Not case of cholera occurred
among the free muatoes large number of whom reside in
my Vicinity both on the bayou and in the PRAIRIE and here
will remark las this subject is at the present time attracting
much that
rooms Quateroons QunteoOns, etc., in this vicinity are as
heahY as robust and prolific any portion of the com
muny. Many of the fine specimens of mankind
have large families of children and among them are now
existing Cloth male and temae) several remarkable instances
OF longevity Dr. DUNCAN REMARKS on a curious disease
quite common among negrUes in that section and usually
attributed TO eating dirt worthy the attention every
planter In lower Louisiana Dr. D. thinks that this disease
more justly attributable improper regular diet and neglect
OF the moral feelings of the slaves than to the perncous
habit OF eating dirt He think that the latter is the
effect instead OF the Of the disease His remarks on the
effects of iHermdTriage, which he says is very common
among the Creoe also worthy of special attention He
instances pair of first cousins who got married. and their
two first children without heads above the eye bows
they lived but few hours If the birth of Monsters can be
fairly attributed to nermarage of near relatives it should
be prohibited by law.
Article 10Th Report the Cholera OF Lafourche In.
erior, by w A. Booth NJ. d. The editor remarks of this
paper that contains the number and variety OF
facts relative to cholera, that has his knowledge
W. DOOln quite talented
who pracced his profession ThibOdaux for number OF
years, but has removed to Memphis His report abounds in
Interesting facts relative to the prevalence Of the disease
upon the plantations of the Laionrche one Of the richest
portions OF the State. The planters that region will obtain
the value oil the sum demanded for the work in this single
report and we hope they will not fail to procure it. When
cholera prevailed in this country, sixteen years previous il
was very destructive in this fertile section but no one drew up
record OF its avages has been done ably and infinitely
IN Tins report OF Dr. Booth. How we profit by the lessons
oil experience If we keep record of passing events? If
epidemic cholera should revisit this REGION be soon or
late the inhabitants will find nestmabe fund of obserya
ton and experience in these Southern Medical Reports
Article llth consists of Reports upon the Origin and
Sanitary Condition Of the Orphan AsyuIs of New Orleans
and Lafayette by Drs Cary, Rhodes and Sunderland the
attending physicians We pleased that Dr. Fenner
mas turned his attention 10 these benevolent institutions
winch, with Others not mentioned, have commanded in
an eminent degree the fostering of generous citizens
Whatever may be said OF the and foes of New Orleans
she has ever been foremost in responding the calls of suffer
ing humanity, whether home abroad. Her great Charity
Hospital, and her well conducted Orphan Asylums to saw
nothing Of her benevolent associations which are called in
requon whenever epidemic prevails afford the strongest
oil philanthropy, and 1t hoped will atone for many
OF her hort comings in the ioheie duty of man. Drs
OSy' Rhodes and sundean entitled thanks for
'sponang so promptly 10 Dr. Fenner call for information
respecting the establishment and sanitary condition of our
otphan Asyums These reports strictly MEDICAL
put mat they may be read with interest by our benevolent
'iu<ens generally They embrace the Poydras Female Or
phsn Asylum, the Female Orphan Asylum Camp street,
ana the Male Orphan Asylum in Lafayette.