The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-20
CHOLERA In TENNESSEE.
Tho Appearance, Progress and Decline Of tho
Epidemic in That State.
1ts Ravages at Nashville and In
the Interior Towns.
Lack Of Proper Sanitary Ad-
ministration.
NEGROES THE PRINCIPAL VICTIMS

NEGROES THE PRINCIPAL VICTIMS
NASHVILLE, Tenn, August II, 1878.
The idea still seems to be entertained by many
nom abroad that cholera yet fingers in Nashville
and its immediate vicinity, when, in fact there has
been none here since the fourth OF July Since that
time no cases have occurred here, though good
many cases OF lux and dysentery have followed in
ats wake, very often resulting in DEATH This too,
in Its turn, has passed away, and now the general
health OF the city Is far better than usual at this
time ofthe year in most cities.
private letter from an eminent physician in
New rleans, addressed to prominent Nashville
physician, states that after q thorough
investigation he found that there had
been no cholera at that point. There
never was vessel quarantined there
IN consequence Of that disease; that 1t was not to
he found upon any Ship in any hospital or any prl
vate house throughout the entire city. This state
ment expOdes the theory that it was imported
from abroad, and proves that the disease must
have become indigenous to this country. The rise
and progress OF the disease was like the bowling
OF wild beasts in q widerness-hrst 1t came as o
faint, duh sound from the dim distance, that gave
no idea OF danger; 1t came nearer and nearer, un.
I'LL ere we knew it. we found ourselves in the midst
OF pestilence, with numbers dying around US and
Others flying to more fortunate localities. At the
ArSt outbreak could not believe 1t possible that
we could have an epidemic, and even the physi-
clans seemed in doubt as to the exact identity OF
the disease. Councils were held by the physicians,
who were divided in their opinions, some contend
ing that 1t was maarial fever, sporadic cholera,
dysentery and various other things while others
held that 1t bona tde Asiatlc cholera notwith-
standing its non-importation
THE FIRST CASES
occurring in Tennessee were among State convicts,
who were working on the Memphis and Paducah
Railroad. portion Of the road passes through
low, swampy, miasmatic country, and here they
were working at the time, and for several weeks
had been constantly in the water. without any
previous warning thirty Of them were Frustrated
with disease with five or ten deaths. 1t was then
pronounced by Memphis physicians to be mag-
nant malarial fever, but, as is now well known,
afterwards proved to be cholera. The Directory Of
the Penitentiary, having become alarmed by the
suddenness Of the attack and its immediate
fatality, ordered the convicts to be brought to
Nashville. Having been placed
IN THE PENITENTIARY
hospital, many of them rallied and but one or two
deaths, perhaps, occurred. The room then used for
= hospital at the Penitentiary was q small con-
tracted apartment, with low ceilings, small win
dows and limited ventilation. The room was dark,
eye accustomed itself to the change from the
bright sunlight without to the darkened apart
ment within Into this apology for an hospital the
cholera patients were cast with those sick with
other diseases. AS q natural consequence 1t
spread in that institution, until from ninety to
ninety five out OF the 400 inmates were down with
it. Nearly all the others had slight symptoms.
Before 1t reached its worst stages, however,
THE "HOsPITAL"
was found utterly unfit for future use, and all the
patents were wisely removed to the third story of
the rope and bagging department., where they had
the advantage Of plenty Of pure, healthful air and
sunlight. The prompt manner in which the physi-
cans to the Penitentary treated the stricken ones
was commendable. The convicts, like many people
in the outer world, were averse to going into the
hospital, and from this reason did not report their
lllness But as as 1t was discovered that they
were attacked they were treated without delay and
with good effect. The number OF deaths there was
only ten or twelve, and in some instances death
would not nave occurred had the patient made
known his condition in time to be treated success
fully.
The cholera did not break out in the city for
week or ten days after the convicts had been
brought from West Tennessee, and then It was
IN THE WILSON SPRING DEPRESSION,
more than mile east Of the Penitentiary. It was
trsceable there to the fact that INDECENT negroes
had purchased for mere song decaying yegeta-
bles from the South that had been on the hands OF
some dealers until they were In a state of rotten
ness They had been packed in barrels, from
which sickening stencil arose as soon as opened.
OF the i put ice IN me centre OF these
and then allowing the ice to melt, fastened them
ON ngn the house
the pestilence, we noticed dealer with large
sHELLEp GREEN PEAS.
These he was selling at ten cents quart. They
were going OF rapidly, owing to their cheapness
season we wondered how any one could dispose OF
anything al those rates. and. desiring to learn the
wees or a the
%ens they had been delayed anS When tey nsy
they were unit for market. He therefore shelled
them and sold them as above stated. Negroes
much as they possibly could, and in many cases |
were hurried OF next morning to the pauper bury,
ing ground. So fatal was this indulgence that 1t
became synonymous with the grave.
mas been estimated dH a. SUI that is now ascer
Gained TO be an over-estimate there having been
in reality not more than six hundred deaths; OF
these at least four hundred and fifty were negroes
the idea that the medicines given by The physi-
clans were posons TO them ana intended to aggra-
vate their complaint and render 1t, If possible,
more fatal For this reason they would use none
OF the remedies prescribed, ana consequently died
sson after being attacked. rney had
and death, and believed that when their 'time
camel they would die any how, no matter what
they did to prevent DEATH that IL would make no
difference In the end And on the other hand,
they thought II 1t was not their time the cholera
could not kill them Even In the matter OF eating
vegetables they held the same idea and would COM
Tort themselves while eating the most IN Wholesome
food imaginable, that IL would not hurt them unless
It was "de Lords WILL" and in that event they
must be prepared to go. They also had great faith
IN prayer, and would congregate in vast numbers
to shout and pray that the pestience would pass
over them Their faith was considerable, but they
forgot that faith without works is dead,n AS
might have been expected when attacked their
cases nearly always proved fatal Those living in
white families were, when attacked, wen treated
nd had UOO medical am lin