Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-30
The Epidemic of 1928.


r Though Vermont is as healthful as an
3 State in the Union, and not subject t
periodical visitations of desolating epi
? denies, such as visit some sections of tn
South and West, yet more fatal malad.
than the cholera and yellow fever, tha
! do not always prove mortal, has onc
swept through the valley of the Cham
plain.
Fifty-one years ago last winter, ole
men speak Of as the stekly season, and Of
ten refer to it as the time Of their orphan
age as a few days since ! asked mar
| If he was old enough to remember the
sickness of that winter he replied, "No
bat ! remember my father died Of thai
sickness"
As the disease was unknown tophysic.
ians, they gave it no technical name,
hence it was called epidemic cold fsrsr,
and soldier tc0er; it having originated
in the army that lay that winter in Bur
lington, of which many hundred died
| shall not attempt to give the character
stics of a malady that bafiled the skill Of
the medical faculty, but | name few of
its pecuiarities.
| /. 1t was not thought TO be contag,
ious, yet it spread wherever a man died
of this disease. Late 10 the fall many
soldiers left for home on furlouehs; they
were often taken sick and died on their
way aa1 though public houses were at
that time very numerous, yet in most Of
them soldiers died, and in II majority Of
cases tavern keepers died also. From
these cases the disease spread through
tue towns.
2. More men than women were at
tackled, and comparatively few minors
l know of but one under twenty years of
age.
3. Men thirty years of age and up
wards, of the most hale, robust constitu.
tions, were the leading victims of the
disease. A man said to me, "You are
risking your life by being with the sick
and dying so much !" another said, "He
is in no danger; such a feeble man is
safe, none but the robust are in danger
of this strange and dreadful malady."
4. In few hours after taken, the
sick were Frustrated physically and ment-
ally and died within two or three days
after taken.
;. The disease, think, proved fa-
tai in all cases. | know the doctors had
the reputation of saving some; but they
shared largely in the common excite
ment all symptoms Of disease were
called and treated as the epidemic, hence
some recovered because they had no Sc
'ious complaint. Doctors who knew not
what to do, tried all kinds of experiments.
They gave large portions oil powerful
medicines, and often gave brandy until
heir patients were intoxicated. A young
Vomen in Vergennes was treated, but
he next day hers was a clear case of the
neasels. | was sent TO see a friend die
Il found her drunk-the nezt day it
vas evident her physician was mistaken.
30 of many eases.
In one neigbborhood of twelve families
ne or more deaths occurred in all bat
ne, and in nearly all the head of the +
,mily was taken. II was snowy win, a
sr, yet so frequent were the funerals !
lat the path to the principal cemetery
as well beaten. After few weeks con 7
regations were largely composed Of
Iourners, among whom were many wild +
VS. and orphans. T
| have seen no estimate Of the number
deaths by this epidemic. DR.. GalIop, o.
If Windsor, think,) published some> R
ing respecting his theory on this auouy.
ous, incurable malady. G
An approximate calculation of the
lmber of deaths this side Of the noun r
in may be made from the fact that more
an Sizty died in one town. ! am not ot
ware that the epidemic was more prev Al
ont there than in many other towns
rough Western Vermont. n
Extract from poem in commemora- 10
N Of the epidemic.
o from above whence chastening judgments so
come,
fearful sentence seems to seal our doom; bill
dread disease with uncontrolled power
ills life's warm fount in one eventful hour,
lacks the strong as if to show its power, w
d thousands slay, as by a single blow. re.
the Egyptans-when in one dark morn, TAI
deaths cold arms each found his eldest born in
tn like surprise thro every town and street, wi
hear like tales and none but mourners meet" h,,
Will not some octogenarian prepare 10
re extended account of this great cal col
ity, and present it at meeting of the the
storical Society? T. wa
Charlotte, April 4, 1865. the
sou