The New York herald., 1870-01-29
a NEW CONTAGION.
Relapsing Fever-Dr. Harris Opinions Of tho
Recent Arrivar"-Its Symptoms and
Prevalence in the City-A
Chapter for Doctors

new contagon has been introduced In the city.
in the form OF relapsing fever, disease that has
before been known In this CITY, but which has
been raging In European States Thirtytwo cases
only Of this new form Of fever have been reported
rs being known to the medical authorities, and OF
these not single has been fatal. The following
facts obtained from Dr. Harris, will show the char
acter OF tins disease and what efforts being made
to stay Its increase:-
Relapsing fever Is one In the continuous form,
and is now prevailing among the people who In
habit the worst tenement house quarters OF the
city. Physicians have reported 1t to Dr. Harris Of
the nature specified but have failed to indicate
whether 1t OF the typhuS or typhoid
form-that IS, whether OF the nature
OF ship fever or enteric fever. Close invests
cations made by DR.. Harris disclose the facS
that 1t neither and observation proves it to be q
true relapsing fever. 1t Is stranger to America;
but 1t has at times swept over England. Scotland
and Ireland. 1t generally destroys the victims in
the proportions OF one to thirty assaed. More than
any other contaglon IL is domclled with llth and
overcrowded lodging houses, aud exists in malig-
nant forms at the present hour In the work
houses OF England and Ireland. II has prevailed
very extensively IN Russia, Poland, Prussia In the
northern and eastern portions, since 1863, and In
many instances has been remarkable Tor It's extreme
forms. In New Ork as II Is to-day 1t has none OK
features OF epidemic, but Is, OF course cOnta
glous. Since ITS first appearance last Novem-
Der every lurking place ha5 been searched and tho
city been secured TO discover Individual cases,
aud the consequence that the records OF the fever
are minute and complete III every particular. II has
been made matter OF particular concern on the
part OF Dr. Harris to keep the sixty miles OF the
widely travelled streets or this city clear OF foulness
and deleterion5 deposits.
now RELEASING FEVER AFFECTS THE PATIENT.
1t comes suddenly, assaliing the victim In q
temperature of the BODY rapidly from the usual
point ninety eight aegrees Fahrenheit I'd l03 de-
grees, and excessive Gases, even To l07 degrees.
IL continues, wien excessive headaches and vomit-
Ing, Tor several days; but on the sixth or
seventh day abundanI DeTspration sets In. when
liz tho OF twenty-lour hours the patient suf
fers from exhaustion ana TINS phase or the aiment
leads TO reiucuon in The temperature OF the body,
ana then succeed remarkable symptoms. There is
an easier term. Seven days after this prOstration
the fever flashes up again and prepares for fresh
lnroads on the constitution. Again Is Witnessed the
same character or fever the same intensity OF tenn
perauure. These phases OF tile lever continue for
four five or SIX days and then cease leaving the
patient prostrated aud suffering as by rheumatic
pans and ulsc0norts wh!cn remain with the subjec
for many days. After SLOW recovery he may then
safely be pronounced out OF danger, though even as
th3 period there may be another relapse, and
IN actual experience it has often been found that
two, three four sometimes seize upon the victim.
1t Is thus disease tnat atters that requires deli
cate treatment ana watchfulness. Or. Harris de-
clares that the sanitary authorities thoroughly un
derstand its symptoms, It's treatment and all Tvs
turns aud dangers; ana ne further says tnat c mas
been mastered with as much certainty as the small
pOX has. He asserts that 1t IL the COMPANION OF
filth and tenement house herdlng. he says some
cases were known TO nave occurred in lS46 IN the
Pennsylvania Hospital, but that 1t did not ut that
time become an epidemic. During the three years
that Dr. Harris was stationed at Quarantine there
was not case known as having en-
tered this port. This was during 1865, 1853
and 1889, aud the hospital records fail TO-
show its reception previous to that time. He, now
ever felt that like all contagious which travel
among the people or the earJn, America muSt
have lt and II has it now. The Doctor aiirms thar
pathway is similar to that made BY tue cholera.
In 1860 the Russian government became aiaTIneu ~
the widespread prevalence OF the fevef over tho
Cars territory ana proposed remedial measures.
looking TO tbe prohibition OF international inter-
course and the elieclua stoppage CT trade aai COM
merce. The danger, however, was iot ~ Inc olsease.
but Ia the disgraceu neglect oil the hsath authorl
ties Great Britain ordered medical survey of the
disease. When it existed over parts oi Europe az
and valuable reports, which are open for pubic ex-
animation ag iJr. Harris Oicc. Relative 10 New
York, 1t mas been imported; but III It's character
now IL ls not alarming One curious faGr Is thai
medical practitioner ever mad case OF the KIND IN
this CITY before November 1t is the genuine re-
iapsing fever. The other forms OF 1evertyphus and
typnod--dlner nom this Importation. Tyglus Is the
shIp fever, 50 called, and Is a disease oI the blood
affecting tue Drlin and also the tissues OF The nody.
It very ldlignant. typhoid attacks by uiCera-
tions Of tie small bowels, and IS not 50 fatal. All
cases OF Ielapsing fever are now in hospiiai.
HEALTH or THE CITY.
Notwithstanding smallpox scarlet. typhus, tyA
ph0lu ana lcap>nI leyer are In tue CITY tle deaths
rate has never Ueeu less III New York thaa in tho
last few weeks, and the general good heayh "a graft
fylng. Many people erroGeousy believe tnat the
present unseas,naDe weather Is detrimental to con-
sttaIional soundnesS; on the congrary II i5 quite
tie reverse, beng Invgoratng, bracng ana aiord-
ing line opportunities 10 eD1y pedestrian ANA eQles.
tliau geeIeat!VA5,