The New York herald., 1870-09-21
THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


Fnt-NIeltcrs Iiceuscd-The Strange Fever-
spec iai Report by The City Sanitary In
spector.
The Board Of Health met yesterday, President Bos.
worth IN the chair, and Commissioners Stephen
Smith, Henry Smith, Brennan aud Ceccarini being
present
DIR. Ceccarina reported that the Board had import
ant matters under consideration.
Dr. Morris reported the following contagious dis
eases for the week ending 18th inst:-Relapsing fe-
ver % against 3s for the previous week. typhus e-
YER 2; typhoid, 49, scarlatina, 4; diphtherla and
measles, o.
DIR. Morris reported upon the condition OF 229 Mott
street, rear tenement house that Is dangerous to
life and health The Board ordered 1t torn down at
once under section one OF the Tenement House
act
ON recommendation Of DR.. Morris permit to
render fresh lard at the foot of East 108th street was
granted to the Rendering and Desiccatng Company
and to John Hill to slaughter sheep on the south
side OF Fortyseventn street, the North river and
to Cook Brothers to render Oil from fresh fat at 504
and 6o6 West Thirty y-eghth street.
DIR. Russell reported decrease OF nine deaths
since the previous week and that there had been
case OF smallpox since August II.
resolution was adopted asking the Comptroller
to deposit $4,000 to the credit Of the Board.
The following report from Dr. Morris was received
and read
BUREAU OF SANITARY INSPECTION, Sept. 20, 1870.
EMMONS CLARK, Esq Secretary To the Board Of the
Health Department.
have the honor report the following facts with
reference to the recent deaths which occurred IN
this CITY, reported as "yellow fever" and which,
until the facts thoroughly investigated caused
some anxiety In this ureau. Information reached
died OF q disease supposed to he 'yeOw fever'-
William Kelly at Bellevue Hospital, anu Mrs. viii
aa man hssn Me ms we ia az ,n "a sna hssex see mr. Kelly
18th. Both died the same day, the 10Th instant.
The BODY OF Mrs. Kelly was immediately removed
were thoroughly disinfected and fumigated. All
clothing bedding and beds used by them during
their illness was destroyed. and every precaution
nken 10 arrest and prevent any further spread OF
the disease.
subsequently post mortem examinations upon
their bodies gave satisfactory evidence that the
disease was not ''yeOw fever" In order to a,cer-
tain all the facts connected with these cases. and II
posslDe the source OF the disease minute iaqul rles
the "a day OF September inst. Mr.. and Mrs. Kelly
residing at No IA Essex street, went TO attend tile
awake" ana funeral OF William Harrington, SOL
dier on Governors Island, who had died the day be-
fore Two other persons-a Mrs. Ann Mccormick
OF No. 40 Oliver street. rear first floor. ana David
Straney, OF No. IL Perry street-were also present
at the funeral, on the Sd inst, returned the city
the same day and have since aied Of the same
larry to Governors Island.
Upon investigation ut this point 1t was found that
tue uIbt recognized case naQ occurred on tho 14th
day OF August last and up to the present time tSep
tembcr lS) there have been nlty-One cases ON the
island. These cases all occurred upon limited Dor
ton OF the island. known as the ''camp women's
basement houses, situated about 100 feet from the
waters edge Of Butermilk Channel, on the eastern
and southern borders OF the island. Twenty-tnree
Of these cases occurred among the women and chill
dren residents, none Of whom died. The Remaining
cases were soldiers residing In and fre
quenting these quarters, ton OF which proved fata
No cases occurred among the residents or soldiers
n n a
The general symptoms Of the disease presented
by those attacked were chill fever. diarrhoea vomit-
Ing, slight aundice, brown coated tongue urine OF
dark color, which, under the microscope, pre-
sented no casts, blood or albumen. The average
duration OF the disease In fatal less than
week. The last death occurred on the l7th inst.
Eight cases were Still remaining in the hospital
last inspection. No new cases had been admitted
since the 18th inst. Careful investigation failed to
discover satisfactory evidences or the cause of this
endemic. Every facility was afforded In making
Page. U. $. A., Oh duty at this post.
All the facts concerning the four fatal cases which
have occurred In this city clearly show that these
persons had been directly exposed to the same en-
caused the disease there prevailing.
The premises where these fatal cases occurred In
this city have been kept under the closest observa-
tion. No subsequent cases have been developed
among those who were In their attendance upon
these persons during their Illness and death In this
city.
Various opinions have been expressed by those of
the medical profession who have been cOnversant
with the facts connected with these cases, some
classifying 1t as maarial billOus and others as
pernicious remittent and typhus fever.
Whatever may be It's special nomenclature the fact
ID established beyond doubt that 1t is not ..yellOw
fever" or disease Of o contagious character re.
specially submitted, MOREAU MORRIS, MD,
City Sanitary Inspector.