The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-12-17

va
names Of the mem Jeis r. n
1t was also voted to ptht the same
upon u card Of suitable size to be carried
in the pocket, for the convenience Of the
members
Dr. CuShmaa, read a paper on tho
EptEemicS of OttccN.n lie com.
mcnced by stating that he adopted the
divisions and definitions proposed by tho
Committee on Practical Medicine in the
report to the American Medical Associ-
alton in May 1913, as follows 81
al. CoNrAGloUs EplDEMics are those
distcmpers which arise from poison, gen
Grated by specific morbid actions in tho
! bum1n body, and which are communica-
bio from the sick to the healthy by me
dia,c aud immediate contact. To this
division belong scarlet fever, measles,
smallpox, aud a few other diseases
| so INFECTIOUS EPiUEMiCs are those
diseases which originate from the eman.
tious or Diasmata from decomposing or.
ganic substances including the excrc.
mentions or effctc animal matters
thrown out Of the body in health and
disease. The disorders rcfcrable to this
class, are intermittent and romittent fc-
vcrs, yellow fever, typhus malignant
plerperal fever, aud some yariies of
oyscptety and erysipelas.
IS MErEoRArloUs EPlDEMIcs are
those wide spreading maladics which
arise from certain latent influences Of the
general atmosphere, and which have no
special relations or connections with sea.
sons. localities or climates The most
notable examples of this kind are irnl.
enza and cholera"
He enumerated Eve epidcmics which
/ bad occurred under his observation in
that town. One Of tho first class. three
of the second and one Of the third class.
As to the topography of the town be
did not claim minute accuracy. The
town is divided by sluggish creek -
The eastern and larger part is mainly a
mari underlaid By slate aud limerick
This is the most elevated, dryest and
healtl,ic,t part. The western portion
Includes peninsula formed BY an arm
Of the lake, and IS lower, more level aud
incliucd to a marshy character In this
latter portion internittents have always
prevailed, aud to this region three Of tic
epidemics were cobfned.
The general mortality Of the town for
thi five years previous had been about
one pcr cont. per annum. Consumption
had Teen the most fatal disease,
The first epidemic was liaSnlutic
and occurred in 1923. During that
year there were more cases of intcrm.t.
te~t fever than for twenty five years be.
fore or after. The FRS. part Of the sea-
son, particularly III june and July, had
becu unusually dry. Afterwards it was
wet Nearly all the cases were accom-
panied by considerable gastric disturb.
ancc, and quininc was not well borne un.
til this was allayod. The disease was
confined to the western half of the town.
f. 1884 the sccoDd epidemic, Cholera,
swept through CLamplaiu valley. In
the western half of the town disr,hGa
prevailed. More than hundred cases
occurred The eastern hnlfwas exempt.
The hird epidemic, ErysipclaS, pre-.
vailed ia 1871. Tho first CASE occurred
here upon the borders Of the lake This
was also colined TO the western half of
the town.
TyDhpS or slip tcreI the fourth op.
idomic ragged in l047 aud l64S. Oae
,cn'h part OF the population were affect
cl. $50 cases. All the cases could be
traced 10 infection. The symptoms of
the eases occurring among the native in.
habi,an.> c)incided with those occurring
among the foreign immigrants. The
mortality was four per cent.
The nm and last epidemic was that
Of Tartoip or SmaHPor in 1851. 1t
was tue only visitation Of the disease
during forty years. TIE necessity and
protective power Of vaccination and re
vaccination were distinctly exhibited
Remarks were made by several Of the
members, when it va,
loteA, That the epiIemics mentioned
in the communication. aud thl cola.
cal topics suggested by the paper,be tic
subject for discussion at tho next meeting
Dr.. Cushman not hav ing been able
to be present at the last meeting tool
this coca sion to express his gratitude a
the honor conferred upon him by contin-
uiug him for several years President q
the Society. AT the close OF his re
marks, he presented to the Society {
very fine photographic Likeness of him
self, handsomely framed, to be preserved
with the archioyes of the Society