The Nevada journal., 1852-05-01
Ffpn the st. Loui, Repub Ii,an.
ABDESS OF URSUlINE CONVENT
A HlstorIcal Sketch.

A Historical Sketch.
In the summer Of 1852, there broke |
out at Paris disease very similar to
what is now called cholera, and which
was quite as fatal in its consequences.
Although not contagious, the immense
number of persons attacked by it led
the people to think it was so, and ter
ror took hold Of the minds of all. Mo-
theirs abandoned their children, wives
their husbands, sisters their brothers,
and almost as many perished by flight
as by the disease itself. In two months
thirty one thousand persons were bu-
ried in the different burial grounds
around the city. The hospitals were
crowded-so crowded that the physi-
clans and nurses passed with difficulty
among the beds, and the demand for
admission was so great that every day
long file Of sick might be seen at the
door, some supported by relations, but
the most part lying on the ground,
waiting until their turn should come to
be admitted, but often before night the
half of them were carried to the GEM
etery instead Of the infrnary. As
may we'll be supposed, the task of the
physicians was no light one, and final
ly they were obliged to organize their
labor, and force themselves to reposc
certain time every day, and take the
service in turns, in order to be able to
beat up under the extraordinary efforts
they were called upon to make.
One day, as young physician, he
who twenty years later was known as
the celebrated DR.. Soulie, was leaving
the hospital to 60 and take his turn Of
rcpose, a servant man, brcathless and
pale, met him at the gate and asked if
he was physician. The doctor an
swercd in the affirmative, and the man
begged him, for Gods sake to go to n
house in the neighborhood and see q
sick person. Although against the rule
they had established, the Doctor con-
sented, and was conducted to the house
by the servant, who showed him into
large, handsomely furnished room
In this room the Doctor remarked first
tall, handsome woman, with her hair
all in disorder, and her face pale as q
corpse standing near and screening a
child, who lay upon sofa. Around
her was collected group of twelve
young girls, who looked 10 the Doctor
to be Of nearly the same age, and made
him suppose it was boarding school,
particularly as these young girls all
wore dark green slid dresses, and had
their blond hair braided and tied with
blue ribbons. The Doctor could see
no difference between any of them !;
they all had fair skins, small blue eyes,
light hair, long noses and large mouths;
but before he could ask any questions
about them, the woman advanced hur-
riedly, and seizing him by the arm,
led him to the sofa, and in hoarse
voice said: "Look at that child" Be-
fore him lay beautiful little girl Of
about ten year of age, but utterly diff
ferent from the others. Her hair was
black as midnight, and hung in ring
lets over her shoulders her eyes were
closed, and her livid complexion and
contracted features showed that the
dreadful disease had seized upon her.
"Open that window" said the doc
tor, "and bring some vinegar immedi.
ately to rub the child's body"
"What !" cried the woman, "she
has not got the plague?"
Why, certainly; did you not know
it!" answered the Doctor.
"No, no; take her away, take her
away. She shant stay here to kill us
all Come, my daughters, come away
quick Oh! the wretched child, she
will be the death of you! =" and she
pushed the twelve girls out of the
room, and went after them.
But the Doctor sprang after her.
"Are you the mother Of that child?"
he asked.
"Yes; but take her away she shant
stay here"
"She must be put to bed and taken
care O." said the Doctor.
"She shall not have a bed in this
house take her away"
"But where am l to take her be-
sides, she will die if removed"
Il don't care; take her to the hos
pital; any where, only take her away
from this house"
Though Mortified by the feeling ex-
pressed by the unnatural mother, and
after finding further persuasion USE
less, he took her in his arms, wrap
ped her in blanket, and carried her
to the hospital, where he was fortunate
enough to find a vacant bed for the