The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-01
Our Key West Correspondence.

KsY WRsr, July %, 1856.
Ihs Yilosc Fever at Key West The Epidemic
Confined 10 The Har5or and Quarantine-Hs
Progress thus far-Ihe Weather Anidgonis,ic to
its Rar0gss-Names Of Victims &C., &c.
As false rumors respecting the sickness now pre-
vaing in our midst might be circulated at the
North, and add TO the anxiety Of those who may
have friends here we have taken the precaution to
obtain all information respecting the fever from
the Mayor of the city and the attending physicians,
and this may be relied upon truthful in every
sential particular.
The fret case Of 80 manifested itself on the
26th Of June. A al bm the bark Balaklava, a
vessel direct from Havana, was taken sick, bat the
disease was not pronounced yellow fever until the
black vomit gave unmistakeable evidence, and the
patient remained in town until that moment, when
be was promptly removed 10 the hospital ny the
order Of the Mayor. The same day another sailor :,
from the same vessel was taken. Both
died, one on the second, and the other soon
after, OF the yellow fever. On the lst OF July
schooner arrived from Havana she did not ride out
the usual quarantine. Her cargo OF fruit was dis
charged and sold the day Of her arrival. On the %
one OF her crew was seized with fever and removed
10 the hos ita. dying on the sth. A person who
assisted in dischsrging this schooner was taken
sick the 5th; be died on the 10th. On the 9Th a
citizen occupying room near to that in which the
frst case occurred was taken down with the fever.
and on the 18th was a corpse. Another, who had
visited at the same place while the original case was
developing Itself in the adjoining house, seized
with yellow fever symptoms on the sih, and was
buried on the 18th.
On the 2lst, a sailor, who had been al the hospital
some weeks With consumption. died OF fever, con
tIscted there. He would have recovered could he
have been restrained from committing some impru.
denotes that were the real cause Of bis death.
On the gath, man. who came over from Havana
in the bark Balakava. died in the city. The seeds
OF the disease had remained In his system twenty
eight days before they manifested themselves.
These are all the cases which, originating on the
Key. have terminated fatally.
three dc aths have happened in the hsrbor on YES
sells In quarantine.
some bedding thrown over from one OF these yes.
sells foated ashore and was picked up by young
girl and carried to Der home In less than five days
The whole family OF which she was a member were
prostrsted BY the fever. They are five in number
ard all are convalescent. They are at Fort Taylor.
In Che city today we hear OF but three violent
cases, although many OF mild type have appeared.
The weather Is highly pTopitous for favorable
termination 10 all patients now under treatment.
strong trade wind Is blowing. The atmosphere y
clear and pure. Electricity has been very abundant
most violent storms passing over and around ne
daily, for ten days past. Two houses in the city
were struck by lightning few days ago. II there
be any truth In the theory Of Professor Merriam, that
electricity l. sanitary agent, and that epdemics
cannot rage where II IL frequent then the sickness
that has caused considerable alarm, and carried OF
two OF the brightest ornaments Of our little vocal
circle, should at once disappear. We trust that We
shall be able In our next letter 70 announce that Il
has terminated.
We annex The names Of the citizens and strangers
who have died Of the prevailing epidemic.
July 12-Nrs Francis Elizabeth wilSps Allen. wife o.
Geo b Allen ESQ, and formerly Of Boston. Mass aged
g. years.