Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-15
DEFERRED LOCAL ARTICLES

tuAs pcflOus June. loOJ, Wlt0 the dpDrOdcl
OF hot weather, the thermometer ranging above
eighty degrees, Fahrenheit, a form Of dysenterv,
presenting some anomalous features and di fhcult
70 control, began to make its appearance. This
disease. in very short time, assumed epi-
denlc character, augmenting the number Of our
SICK by daily accessons Of two three new cases,
and nanifestly exercised a pernicious influence
upon the cases already under treatment Asthere
was no such malady prevailing at the time in an
epidemic form in any portion of city, we
Were forced to believe that the disease had It's
origin in some local cause, and immediately
directed our attention to its calculation, il pos
sible. Notwithstanding, however, the closest
investigation, and thorough cleansing of the
entire building, added to the most rigid obsery-
ance of the usual hygienic regulations respecting
the regimen, clothing, and daily vocati on of the
Convicts, the cases continued 10 occur without
any modification whatever.
The drainage of the privies attached to the peni-
tenuary Is Effected by means Of a large sewer
leading from the privies inside Of the prison
grounds and emerging several hundred feet be-
yond the walls, and within the arsenal inclosure,
on the margin Of the river. II occurred to the
warden that, owing to possible obstructions of
THIS great and important depurating channel the
hOrbihc influence producing the epidemic might
ne found in the malarious emanatiOns from this
impure source
Acting under the suggestions of this idea
careful examination was made of the sewer
throug Its entire length, which revealed the fact
that II had not been cleaned for some wears and
mat Immense accumulations of animal ana vege-
table debris Of all descriptions had occurred
OAOCAluS anu ODSlruCIHC almost etPCtuallV
lis passage, and emitting an intensely nauseous
and fetid etflUvium. As there seemed but little
room to doubt that we had at length discovered
the true source of the epidemic. means were i'm
InediatelY taken by our efficient warden To efFect
thorough cleaning out Of this receptacle of fItb
regarding such step, however expensive as a
necessity ior this purpose, outside labor
trs were hired, as IL was not deemed expedjent
or humane TO compel the cOnvicts to perform this
fepuislVe duty Fen men were constantly at
Wofk Tor eleven days, and forty cart loads of de-
atala 10 nd
In ten days thereafter the effect was manifest NV
marked diminutiOn in the number of patients
and before the lapse of five weeks all appearance
OF the disease had vanished, save a few cases of
chronic character, which subseouently Welded
to medical treatment
from the foregoing statement, / find il impos-
s.oIe 70 resist The conclusion that this epidemic
of dysentry was alone attributable to the malaria
ema1atng from the mass Of putrid matter found
IN s-le sewer and not to any Of the usual and gen
e'al causes OF temperature, vegetable diet and at
inospheflc agencies, which produce this disease
upon the lnhabitantS of our city during the sum
lner months Three facts stand prominently for
ward TO sustain this opinion: LIST The obvious
connection between the cleaning out of the sewer
and the subsidence of the disease ESTABLISHING in
my mind the relation Of cause and effect ID
That an analogous il not an identical disease had
PIeValled 70 an alarming extent, but short time
previously, IN one of the largest hotels of this
city, the origin Of which was Subsequently traced
20 similar accumulations IN the sewer leading
from the Priviss Of the establishment 3D. AS
appeared elsewhere within the limits Of the city
and especially as no cases occurred among those
persons connected with the Penitentiary who
occupy adjacent but extra-mural apartments
have deemed il my duty to cali youy attention
TO the foregoing facts. with the view of illus
traung the imperative necessity there is for the
conduct of institutions Of this kind IL remains
only for me TO advert TO the single death which
has occurred during the year, Henry Croggin,
who died of congestion Of the brain on the night
Of the Sd Of July. Owing to the increased mum
ber Of sick, and the peculiar treatment necessary
during the prevalence Of epidemic dysentery the
expenses OF the hospital department have unavoid-
ably been considerably augmented this wear
i cannot close this report without expressing
the high qualification ] feel, and acknowledging
the obligations am under, to the warden and
bis deputy for the prompt and efficient manner in
which they have executed all suggestions on INV
part touching the comfort Of the sick and the
general health Of the institution.
am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obe-
dent servant,
a Y =. GARNErr, NJ. D., Physician
The Board of Inspectors.
Report Of the ChGpiaiH.-Sir: II becomes nv
duty 10 submit to you report Of my labors in the
l. y peniteRtiary for the wear now closing A
prison is little world of itself In this world
have passed much time, mingled freely with its
Inhabitants and discharged the Legitimate duties
Of my profession. Here have found a great va
Tlety Of disposition, habits, and character The
convics, though they all feel themselves under
The Od0 ana cast out from the pale of society
they are not all as vicious and abandoned as il is
possible for them to become. With many there
are some redeeming qualities left, something
which gives back ready response to the motives
OF the gospel, and 10 those influences which tend
TO correct the habits and reform the life To their
better impulses and feelings | have endeavored
constantly TO appeal, TO make them feel, though
fallen and degraded as they are they are not en-
tiTely lost; that they can and should endeayor to
rise, assert the dignity of their manhood redeem
the past by life Of integrity and virtue, and thus
become worthy to claim those rights which they
have so justly forfeited. The Divine Word
teaches us that the criminal, however dark and
heinous may be his Ohense if he sincerely repents
and reforms, may find forgiveness with Heaven
and If with Heaven he certainly ought with
men. Once let the sentiment prevail that cd
may forgive the poor criminals, but society never
can, and you shut the door Of hope against the
miserable offender, and preclude all chance of bis
reformation There is enough, Heaven knows
IN the surroundings Of prison life to degrade
depress, and discourage the poor convict FROM
leading life of honesty aud virtue without So
CletY throwing any obstacle in his way. There
are some, II Is true, who have been so cursed and
ruined by strong drink, bad books. bad company
and other pernicious influences, that they teem
perfectly indifferent TO all and every kind of re-
ligious Influence that may ne exerted upon them
They are stepped In crime, skilled in every species
of villaiay that their moral sense seems almost
completely Paralyzed They call evil good aud
good evil, laugh at humble pety and ridicule
every attempt 70 reform thei' lives. They seem
completely under the control Of corrupt princi-
pies and bad passions, and these are only held in
check by prison discipline. Iheir course In crime
Is only arrested by the brief term Of their impris
onrnent IL is to be feared they will 90 out more
detefm mined and wiser 10 do evil. Upon such
need not say the Gospel has butlittle or no power
bot Win All the discOurag gements in this barren
and sterile neid the has not passed altogether
without fruit Many have felt the power OF moral
and rehgious instruction, and been essentially
benefited Three Of the conyicts have bsen han.
tiEed and are yielding the fruits OF nietv Other.
have been convicted of sin, and been Led fre-
QHently TO inquire about the way of lIse Oivine
service has been performed in the chanei go,
lsrly on the Sabbath. | have also bIs,d -
Bible classes In the morning before nrsachtna'
The department OF the convicts in the cbsnsi -.
been generally good have visited the nrison
on the week day as often as thought IL necsxs,,r
TO accomplish my work. The sick have claimed
and received my special attention. At one tins
we had about twenty in the hospital With
them have bowed in prayer and endeavored 10
imPaTt the consultations Of religion and the hopes
Of the Gospel. One died very suddenly and in
the full maturity Of strength This death cast
gloom over the whole prison. Death is fofmid-
able, come when and how il may But h is
much more appalling and terrific when n
strikes down one within the prison walls Ali
stand -aghast, and the most hardened criminal
uenbles and turns pale at the thoughts Of deatl
and the Judgment -, - p -
was In hopes Congress would have made an