The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-13
CIT Y INTELLIGEN CE
[For AddNiOnal Local Neras See TNtrd Pqqe.l

THE CHOLERA QUEsTIoN-THE WHOLE
TRUTH IN THE MATTER-WHAT CAME IFRoM ABo-
LIsHING THE "GRoG" RATION IN THE NAVY
During the past few days the city has been some-
what disturbed by reports OF the appearance OF
chloerasm our midst We have taken the time and
trouble to silt the matter thoroughly, and are pre-
pared to state that there exists as yet no cause what
ever for panic in that particular direction This
morning visited the Navy Yard and learned
from conversation with Captain j. P McKinstry.
cOmmandant of the United States steamer Chatta.
nooga the facts in regard to the report OF the ap-
pearance of the disease on board that vessel They
are simply as follows:-
since the abolition of the grog ration in the navy
commutauon Of five cents per day in lieu of it has
been granted the seamen. A few days ago. on re-
ceiving this commutstion money, a number of the
crew, thinking themselves badly treated in being
deprived OF their btters, resolved to enjoy some of
the luxuries of the season in spite OF opposition
They therefore invested their means In new pota-
toes, bringing on board the vessel dozen barrels
filed with immature specimens of that vegetable
about the dimensions of hickory nuts. These pota-
toes were rare treat for who had been kept on
salt JUNK and hard tack for a long time
past; and so, with the proverbial indis.
erection of Jack Tars, some OF them graft.
fed their appetites to an enormous extent The
result was quick and sure. number OF the men
were taken down with dlarrhPa of the most violent
character. In the course of couple of days four
OF them died, and TWO more fingered at the point
of death. These last are considered entirely out of
danger; although sull very weak, their entire re-
coyery being much Ietardedsby the extreme heat of
the weather.
When The effect of this imprudent indulgence in
unripe vegetables became known to the officers of
the ship, Captain McKInstrv, by advice of the Sur.
geon in charge not only refused 10 admit any more
of them on board, but ordered what renamed 10 be
cast overheard This interference with their enioy.
ment of summer uXuries aroused considerable
he hnt Thor fnOH
good care 10 express 1t in an orderly and becoming
manner no disturbance whatever resulting
lhe crew of the Chattanooga numbers about three
hundred and sixty men, all told; and these with
the exceptions above noted, ali in the enjoyment
of excellent health Now that the substitute for the
extinct grog ration has been denied them the public
need indulge in no further alarm on their account
for the lime being at least.
With regard to the cases of cholera reported In
the city proper there is IN all probability no more
cause Tor alarm than in the above. During yester-
DAY and the DAY before, four supposed cases were
reported to the Board Of Health, two OF them hay
ing resulted fatally.
These reports were made by the physicians who
had been in attendance upon The patients but from
each case, the Sanitary Committee of the Board are
quite well assured that they were nothing more
than violent and fatal attacks of dIarrhea cholera
mOrbus.
1t a noteworthy fact that the supposed cases thus
far reported are situated on the outskirts OF the city
IN the northern and western secuons, and in local-
A committee OF the Board of Health have visited
the two cases which did not result fatally and are
expec ed today TO report the facts IN full as they
ascertain them.
The lesson 10 the public which these several cases
OF disease convey, IS very simple one but none the
less imperative IN its teachings. Let every one avoid
immature and unnpe fruits and vegetables and the
fate of the gallant but thoughtes5 taTs OF the Chat
tGn0oga will be spared them; and let everybody,
moreover keep clean in their persons and surround.
ngs ana they Will fare better health than their
dirty nelghbors OF the suburbs.