The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-09-29

| Io~4 III luIS city. OHly tudl Vi 1919 "dS
communicated to Natchez so as to pro,
duce an epidemic; yet Dr. Monette
was we'll convinced that during the
year 1920, 1921, and 1922, and espe-
cially in 1923, there were several
deaths from this disease in NatcheZ,
which were traced 10 merchandise re-
ceiyed there from New Orleans, and to
persons who visited the city on busi-
ness, and were attacked on their re-
turn.
The epidemic of 1923 in Natchez
was considered the most terrific that
ever visited that city, or any other one
of its population. 1t commenced late
in the month of August, and was in
Ftroduced by steamboats, from New Or
leans. The first cases occurred be-
tween the 18th and goth of August. 1t
continued to rage with great mortality
until checked by frost near the 1St of
November. About 800 died ofothe dis
ease.
As soon as the fever became cpl
demic at Natchez, all who could left
the city. A number of these took up
their quarters at a place called Coon
vile, and there erected sheds and huts
for Temporary residence. In few days
the fever appeared among them, and
before the lapse of month two-thirds
of the whole number there had been
sick, and one-third had died of the dis
ease. In 1925 he fever appeared here
again. .......
The epidemic Of this year at Natchez
began under the hill, among clerks of
a commission house and others near the
steamboat landing. Cases began to
multiply about the Goth of August
The disease having at length been
communicated to the upper town, the
citizens generally fed The number of
deaths was about $50. The first cases
were traced to intercourse with the
steamboat landing.
This year the disease was transmit
ted to Washington, a village six miles
east of hatcher; which, upon the fe-
yer breaking out in Natchez, became
crowded with citizens of that place
About 80 died of the disease at Wash
ington, place described by DR.. Mon
cite as remarkable for the absence of
everything like city filth, marsh mi
asm, etc.
In the summer of 1929, many Span
iards, flying from Mexico, arrived in
this city. Yellow fever beginning 10
develope itself at the time, they fed TO
Baton Rouge; but having been ex-
posed to the infection here, the fever
broke out among them there. Many
of these fugitives, and a number of the
residents of Baton Rouge, died of the
epidemic of that year.
The epidemic was communicated IN
the usual way and at the usual time
10 Natchez that year. The disease did
not spread, however. 1t is described as
the mildest epidemic Of yellow fever
ever experienced there.
During the time between 1929 and
1887, but two epidemics of yellow fe-
yer are recorded as having occurred in
New 0rleans-those of 1881 and 1888.
They appear to have been in their ca
reer.
The first cases of the memorable
epidemic of 1887 occurred on board OF
vessels in port from the West Indies
1t was characterized by great maligni-
ty, and the mortality was great.
The epidemic of this year was com-
municated to Baton Rouge, Plaque
mine, Opelousas and Natchez, subse-
quently 10 its appearance here.
The first cases at Natchez appeared
about the 9Th or 10th of September,
and by the 18th of September it was
considered epidemic. The disease con-
tinued to spread in that city until
checked by frost. which occurred on
the 25th of November. The number of
deaths from this epidemic was about
$50. For several years previous to
1887, the Natchez Hospital the ap-
proaches to which are through the Gen.
ire of the city, had been closed against
the sick from steamboats,, and during
this time there had been no epidemic
there. But year before the Mississippi
had made provisions for
throwing open the hospital TO the in
digent sick. This law was in full ope-
ration when the fever of 1887 broke
out at Natchez, and after the 1st of
August scarcely day passed without
the reception at this hospital of one or
more yellow fever patients from boats
direct from New Orleans.
The epidemic of 1889 was wide
spread and terrible in its effects. Ii
a memorable epoch in the
history of this malady. lis rise and
to the close of its fatal career
were carefully observed and noted by
DR.. Monette, in his ably written work.
already referred to. As this is one of
the few instances that have come 10
our knowledge where the subject of
yellow feyer-considered in connec-
lion with one of the most remarkable
visitations of the disease that ever oc-
the close attention it
deserves, and as the result is conclu-
sive in proving the transmissibility of
the malady, we propose to notice this
epidemic at some length. With this
object, we avail ourselves of the lucid
account referred TO- an abstract (which