The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-07-21

this o. any other pestilential or epidemic dis
ease, is about to be visited by what has PROV
ed in other sections to be the most fearful
scourge of the human race. We are candid
and speak our sincere convictions when we
say that we do not believe there is any real
ground for serious alarm. 1t is true, and
we have no disposition to disguise the fact,
that at Loudon, some thirty miles northeast
Of this, there have been good many cases of
sickness, some eight or ten of them fatal,
and some said to be strongly marked by cho-
lera features, that panic was created among
the citizens, and that stampede ensued, and
that the streets Of the town now present
comparatively desolate and drearv appear
ance. But when we recollect that Loudon
is situated Immediately on the Tennessee
river, that that stream is and has been unu-
sually low, that large number of hands
have been employed on and about the rail-
road bridge, many of them half the time In
the water, and breathing the poisonous MAS.
ma exhaled from the exposed mud and ooze
along the river banks by the scorching rays
of the sun, it is not at all surprising that
sickness and disease shoIid be generated, and
that deaths should occur. In fact, it would
have been remarkable if the town had, under
the circumstances, escaped with no more than
the usu'', amount of sickness. Loudon, we
believe, has a population ranging between
eight and ten hundred, and according to the
best information. we have been able to obtain
ten deaths have occurred from the disease
which some of the physicians there have
prematurely, as We honestly believe, pro-
nounced Asiatic cholera. And giving the
subject its worst possible phase, the cause for
alarm has been greatly exaggerated, and the
disease represented to be much more malig-
nant and fatal in its character than the facts
warrant. That there is disease of some cha
racter there, perhaps of malignant type, gen.
Grated by local causes, it would be useless to
deny, and that the citizens who are constantly
exposed to its attacks are in some danger;
but we do not believe there is any more dam
ger to persons passing through there now
than there was eight months ago when the
atmosphere was frigid and the trees festoon.
ed with snow-drops. If the disease is cpl.
demic or contagious in its character, the mere
passing through the infected district would
not endanger us to an attack. And the Gods
truth about the matter is, with one or two
exceptions, every death that has occurred at
Loudon within the last three weeks can be
traced to imprudence on the part of the pa.
tent, or want of care and attention while
sick.
Our own town and immediate neighbour
hood continues very healthy, and we know of
no existing causes to produce change, or to
create the least alarm in the minds OF the
people. Alarm and panic frequently bring
about the result so much dreaded, and per.
sons whose minds are most violently excited
and exercised in times of epidemic diseases
generally are the first to fall victims. Sud-
den changes of diet, too, are to be avoided,
as predisposing to disease. We do not ap-
prehend the appearance Of cholera, or any
epidemic disease here, but we will suggest
to those who feel alarm to keep as cool and
free from excitement as possibe--to live on
good wholesome food, to eat but little fresh
meats and to partake sparingly of the sickly
vegetables that have been maturing in the
hot suns of the last few weeks, and above all
to eschew baldface whskev and bad brandy
While sensible that God is over all, We have
strong faith in "human instrumentalities,"
and believe it right, particularly at this season,
to use prudence and precaution. Cleanliness
and cheerfuness are the great promoters of
health. Drink pure water, eat good sound
bacon and wel-baked bred, take moderate
outdoor exercise, keep the mind and nervous
system free from undue excitement, maintain
your good nature, aud attend to your ordina-
ry pursuits as usual, and then, with reason.
able trust in Providence, you will be mighty
apt to come through safe, cholera or no cho-
lera.
We repeat, we do not apprehend the ap-
pearance of cholera here, or in the adjacent
country, but in view Of the many and shame.
fully exaggerated reports in circulation, we
have deemed it our duty to write thus much.
m