Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-09-12
NORFOLK CRY HOSPITAL, Aug. 80.

NORFOLK CRY HOSPITAL, Aug. 80.
MEssRs. EDITORS Still does the fe.
yer continue to rage with undated vio-
lence, telling the noble hearted and
swapping assunder the dearest ties of life.
DR.. Thompson, of Baltimore, has fallen a
victim to the noble cause he so cheerful
ly espoused. 1t seems as if Norfolk and
Portsmouth were doomed cities, around
which the angel of death is lowering i'm
patient to claim its victims.
1t has been suggested here, and the
proposition is being discussed, to remove
the population of Norfolk and Ports
mouth to Old Point Comfort, or some
healthy locality so that there may be no
more material for the disease to work
u on.
1t is heart-rending to witness the in
roads of the disease in some families, in
many instances both parents are sratch.
ed away, leaving helpless orphans to
buffet the treacherous world, and the pit
iful cry of the little children, "ma, ma, |
want to go hoBe," when, alas ! they
have neither parents or home, is touch
ing in the extreme.
The rapidity of the disease when fatal,
together with the sudden changes, are
most remarkable. Sometimes the disease
runs its course to a fatal termination in
thirty six hours /; frequently it runs to
the third day. Fatal prostration will
sometimes supervene in an hour or two
after a patient has said he felt pretty
well, and when the limbs are growing
cold and the pulse failing, but soon, alas!
the cry is heard, 81 shall die" Con-
vulslons or deep stupcr take place and
death ensues.
Decomposition sometimes occurs ere
the vital spark is extinguished, and while
the last offices are being performed for
the dead, the greedy worms are observed
crawling upon their victims. The black
vomit is not an infallible precursor of
death, many having recovered after ejec-
ting it. Neither is it an invariable atten.
dant, many dying without it.
The hospital established here is in a
very healthy location, and many that
have recovered may attribute it to the
healthy and in~Vigorating atmosphere of
the place. Too much praise cannot be
awarded to DR.. Wilson, a resident physi.
Clan, and the devoted and self-sacriicing
Sisters of Charity, and other nurses, who
SO nobly volunteered their assistance.
The buildings used as wards for the
sick were formerly a race ground and
alley. They have been repaired
and are well adapted for the emergency.
What a change where formerly all ga
ie.y and mirth, now is disease, death and
woe.
On Tuesday we had a change of wealth
er cod rain set in and continued all
day long, and as all sudden vicissi
tudes in temperature promote fatality,
so it was here those who were in a crit
ical state died quickly.
There seems to be an increase of new
cases since the rain. In the hospital in
termittent fever has attacked some of the
convalescents.
On Monday there were II deaths at
Norfolk, 2 at hospital. On Tuesday 9,
4 at hospital. On Wednesday 22, 4 at
hospital.
The difficulty of transporting cases of
fever to this place is very great /; the
wagon collects cases in town in the morn
ing, they are then placed in a scow and
towed down to the hospital in the after
noon by a steamboat. Frequently when
they arrive here they are in a dying
state, and live but a few moments.
The Howard Society are about estab-
fishing another hospital. They have
procured the old City Hotel at Norfolk,
and will open soon. The relief they Of
ford is immense. JOHN r. MULLER.