The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-08-12
TIE HEALTH OF THE CITY.
A Splendid Showing for the past Three
Months-The Healthiest City on the
Coast Sustaining her Reputation
The Future Probabilities.

Now that three Of the hottest of the months
| of1S7l have passed, and the month OF August ls
oearly half completed, a review OF the hyslenic
history Of the city during those months may be
useful as Indicating the probabilities OF continu'
ance of the excellent condition Of public health
that now undoubtedly exists. The Palmetto City
has for many years enjoyed very marked I'M
muulty from all diseases Of a troublesome char.
racser, and from all present appearances there
would certainly seem to be no reason 10 antici-
pate that the season OF 1871 will prove an excep-
ton to the rule. That terror Of the tropics, yellow
fever, with all Its pestilential companion psgues
seems to have been efrectually driven from the
city with the introduction OF the system OF tidal
drains Or at least as soon thereafter .s the ben.
efcent results Of the new system had time to be
manifested. The city has had no epidemic OF
yellow fever since 1858. There were, to be sure,
In 1852, certain sporadic cases, some of which
were fatal, but the disease did not in that year
assume the proportions Of an epidemic.
There have been, therefore, nine years Of
absolute immunity from this dread sdIsease.
In addition to this, very slight examination Of
the meteorological history Of the present season
will show that the conditions are extremely un-
other pessrence. The most oppressive heat OF
the year, 30 far, came early in the summer. and
was succeeded by period Of comparatively cool
weather during July that has had the good effects,
Of dispelling malaria and bracing the constitu.
tions the people go as to leave them at the pres.
ent time In better tone. and with far more physl.
cal ability to ward OF the approach. OF disease,
than they would have If they had been enerva.
ted by three months OF successive and contlnu.
ous heat The comparative absence Of rain
during the past three months has also been
o marked popularity Of the present season. The
total fall OF rain during May, June and July OF
this year was but 1924 inches against 1S.4s In
ches during the corresponding period in 1870, and
in last month alone 1t was less than one inch,
against three inches in July, 1870. This drought
IS now, however, in all probability at an end, as
during the first ten days OF the present month
there have been 267 inches Of rain, l.57 Of which
fell during the twenty-four hours between s A. NJ.
Of Thursday and 8 O'Clock yesterday morning.
The weather indications now show probability
Of considerable fall OF rain during the present
month, which will have the enect.or thoroughly
cleansing the city, and cannot fail to be beneficial
in sanitary point OF view. The actual mortality
returns for the past three months also afford
strong encouragement for the belief that the re-
ma1nder Of the season will be exceptionally
healthy. These are given In the following table,
which has been carefully prepared from the re.
cords of DR.. Robert Lebby, the city registrar:
COMPARATIVE MORTALITY DURING THE PERIODS
FROM MAY TO AUGUST 1,1N TIE YEARS 1859,
1870 AND 1871.