Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-09-13

ID. NJ. Cox and ID ID. Pratt, Tor the Ape
lee
DR.. Motifs Theory of yellow Fever.
The National IateiligeEcer has been Favored
by valuable subscriber with the subioined
Letter from j G. Mott. NJ. D., a distinguished
physician of Mobile. comprehending theory
of the Yellow Fever which possesses much IN
terest at the present time
MOBILE. August l9, 1853
You enclose me scrap from newspaper
in which alluson is made to my predictions re-
specting the yellow fever which has been ira
Yelling along the sea-coast for several years, eld
also to my ideas of its treatment, DC. Nm, Sir,
my name has been frequently used in the public
prints in this connexion during the last two
years, and, regret to say, have been quoted
for some opinions which l have never uttered.
As you seem to feel an interest I'M my views on
this subject will most cheerfully give YOU a
short outline of them.
LIST. Its Origin.-Whether this epidemic was
really imported from Africa or not, is point
which cannot be settled from any data yet made
public. and shall not offer you any specula-
tons on it. One fact, however, is certain that
this disease has travelled steadily on. since its
first appearance in Rio Janeiro five years ago,
along the Caribbean Gulf and Atlantic coasts,
until it has at length reached Norfolk. Nomor-
phecy, but still we can often, from the ligisn of
hfrsory and observation, predict with tolerable
certainty coming events; and it was on snch
data that ventured to foretell that yellow fever
would 90 as far as Norfolk, which is about the
boundary of the yellow fever latitude, and also
suggested the strong probability that itwould
visit our Northern cities, where it does occur at
long intervals. Now, the grounds upon which
/ made these predictions were as follows:-~fe l
low Fever has at long intervals, not only =, the
Mediterranean, along the Spanish and FL neh
coasts. but in the United States, (abodt atty
years ago. taken on this travelling charact -
About the time alluded to yellow fever extended
from Southern ports to Norfolk, and thence to
Winchester, in the interior; to Philadelphia, to
New York, and thence to Catskill, on the y orth
river, and TO Hartford and Middletown The
epidemic in question had steadily progressed for
three years, from Rio to Mobile and on to Key
West; and with all these facts before u e, do
not hazard much in predicting that its progress
was onward in the direction it had been ira. FL
ing.
Iyge of the Disease.-Few men in the Uniied
States have seen more of yellow fever THAI
have, and have no hesitation <a sayIl.r " q
this j. s,lhstantially i..e <sssv MAI as N
yellow fever which occurred in Philadelphia ~,
1893, and which has appeared from time to time
since. 1t is the fact with the typhoid fever,
cholera, plague, scarlct fever, smallpox, and all
epidemic diseases, that they appear in different
grades of violence at different times, aud occa
sionally have greater tendency to trayel over
a large extent of country. This has been the
case with the yellow fever in question; but its
modes of attack, its course of symptoms, mclud-
ing yellow skin aud black vomit. its average
duration, &c, are the same other yellow fe-
vers, and, though it may have been somewhat
more yrulent, il is still the same disease
ContasiOuSaesS.-This is a knotty point, and !
have not space to do more than express my con
illusions. Under the term eontagion are com
pounded two distinct questions, viz: contagious
ness proper, or the communication directly oil
yellow fever from one human subject to another
and, secondly, the portability OF the cause OIL
germ by vessels from one port 10 another. Al
though my mind leans at present towards be
lief in the cOntaglousness of this disease in GER
tain instances, | still doubt, and my Judgment
is in suspense; but, with regard tn its puTtdbii
fy by vessels from place to place and by rail
roads, / do not see how any human being
familiar with its history can doubt, and
should advise our Northern friends TO quaran
tine rigidly against it. The disease has gone q
eoerg point i1ihin a certain distance of the Gul
tohich ras freqaenfed by steamboats, and Tailr0a,
cars, and l believe would have entered New
York in 1853 had it not been stopped at TIA
quarantine.
| Treafmenf.-This is too complicated a poin
to touch in a letter; but | must correct the er
ror which you quote from the newspapers "A
attributed TO me. viz: "Ie told our physician
not to treat it with medicine. Drugs were tried
and every patient treated with them died. III
advised water alone, internally and externally
Now. sir. such language was never used by m'
1t is nevertheless perfectly true, that yelloN
fever, as we see it at the South. is a disease
low action, which does not bear active medica
ton. Bleeding and active purgation or emetic
are worse than useless, and more good is effect
ed by good nursing and constant attention, I
varying symptoms than by violent remedies
Cold drinks, as ice water, lemonade, and ais
cold sponging in the hot stage, are all very RI
freshing and proper, but cold water has no sp'
cifc virtue in controlling this Herculean dis
/ ease.
! 1t is a remarkable fact that after one of thes
great epidemics it is hard to find doctor VII
has lost any patients. and yet about twenty pr
the dead. Epidemics are scourges sent by ii
Almighty and not only are we without rem
dies against them but in the face of the mo
opposite plans of treatment the per centage
deaths continues about the same in all times al
in all places. The discovery of vaccinatio
alone has been heralded as q triumph. and 81
that distinguished physician in Europe hi
Just published book to prove that yaccinatit
! is great curse, which leaves in its train CO
sumption and scrofula.
Very respectfully and truly, your friend,
! -