The New York herald., 1874-12-12
THE TENNESSEE EPIDEMIC.
N Deadly and Mysterious Disease De-
PopulAting the village OF Alexan-
dria.

dria.
NASHVILLE, Dec. Z, 1874
The HERALD has already published special de-
spatches relative to the prevalence OF an epidemic
now raging at Alexandra, De Kalb county. Alex
andria Is situated In wild mountainous country,
which Is usually considered one Of the most
salubrous portions OF the state. The Inhabitants
In general, are hale hearty and healthy, and here.
tofore no grim vsaped epidemic has ever disturbed
the peaceful serenity OF their quiet locality No
locomotive comes thunoering near the borders OF
Alexandra and no electric current connects the
sequestered village with the outer world. Slow
OK teams plod their weary way through the lonely
streets, and the tri-weekly stage brings in all the
passengers. takes in all the meagre mail and
brings back the same to the almost equally iso.
lated village OF Lebanon. Under these c1rcum
stances 1t is not to be wondered the epidemic that
has been rapidly increasing In violence should
create sad havoc In the vicinity before their near
est neighboring metropolis, Nashville, should
even obtain the slightest information in regard to
u. II was Thought 70 have been aoating, and
telegraphed you TO that effect; tut later advtces
from the place prove that Ii has not yet run Its
course, but Is, Il anything, worse than II was at
nrst.
From being confined exclusively to Alexandra
tue epidemic has spread to the surrounding coun-
try. II seems to be travelling eastwardly and has
already made Its appearance at Liberty, another
little mountain village few miles distant. The
entire population in that portion OF the country
what to 90 to escape the terrible malady. Young
ana old are alke a1licted, there being many chill
dren down with II and some have already died.
Local physicians are Daf1ed as TO the true nature
OF the afniction and cannot determine what pro-
duces II, nor DO they know how to cure It or stay
It's progress. IL resembles cholera III that 1t at
tacKs the stomach and bowels, and produces In
most Instances speedy death. Some persons
notice OF their condition, thinking 1t nothing more
than common dlarrhGa. They are taken,
"doctor" themselves Ior week, when finally
they send for physician, who arrives too late TO
save them from premature death. In several
instances whole families have been stricken down
with the disease. leaving, perhaps only the
youngest and most helpless, who would be unable
TO render any assistance to the afflicted men,
bers.
For two weeks the disease, which was at first
considered trivial, has been increasing and aug
menting IN severity and fatality until 1t reached
epidemic proportions. Since the first outbreak
ing twelve or more persons have died, while
large number are aarmingly i'll Physicians nave
exhausted their Skill In endeavoring to point out
the origin OF the visitation. 1t was at first sup
posed that some poisonous substance was con-
tanned in the water. but as 1t has not
supposltion is no longer deemed plausi-
BILE. Another reason assigned is that this
Is the "hog-ktlnng" season, and the whole
country Is aboundlnG at present in fresh spare
ribs back bones and sausage meat and every one
Is tempted to indulge too much in the animal deli
cacies and to overload his stomach with them.
But 1t Is hardly probable that, should this be the
cause OF the disease, 1t would result so fatally and
would, moreover. not cOnnne itself to that ex-
elusive locality. The eating OF pork is general at
this time OF the year, and yet In no other section
has similar disease manifested ITSELF Pnysi-
clans state that IN Tennessee at present diseases
OF all kinds require unusually grave treatment,
portion OF the state. but that the various diseases
are OF more virulcnt type than usual.