The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-03
UNF0UNDED AND UNJUST RUMORs


AS regular as each summer season comes
around the report is industriously circulated,
BY either ignorant or malicious persons, that
New Orleans is afflicted with terrible yell
low fever epidemic. The persistent regu-
larity maintained, and the reckless disregard
Of truth manifested by the originators OF this
annual calumny would be amusing if it were
not SO frequently productive Of serious dis
aster to our city. No one will pretend to
DENY that there has been some fever in tie
city this summer, but the most reckless count
ing of cases could not roll up a num-
Der sufficient to even shadow the
proportions necessary to deserve the name of
epidemic. Yet, so plausibly have the SIAN
ders been promulgated, that the Spanish au-
thorit;es have deemed it necessary to issue a
solemn decree to the effect that any and all
vessels arriving at any Spanish port from New
Orleans shall be subjected to quarantine
our city being declared afflicted with yell
low fever epidemic. Assistant Surgeon v.
B. Hubbard, Medical Director, Department
of the Gulf, telegraphs officially to Washing
ton under date of October %, that there
we're 81 cases of fever here and 46 Deaths
and words his dispatch in such terms as to
leave the impression that those numbers
referred simply to the preceding
twenty -four hours, whereas in truth they rep
resented the entire summer, and were taken
from the books of the Board of Health. 1t
is not our purpose to charge Mr. Hubbard
with willfully disappearing facts, but we
submit he should exercise such care in max
ing his reports as to leave no possible room
for the slightest misunderstanding and we
trust he will, while there is yet time, make the
correction. Private letters received here
by citizens have indicated a desire on the
part of many persons in the North
and West to visit New Orleans just
at the present time, in order to
enjoy the splendid climate with which we are
now blessed; but bearing confirmed reports
of the great prevalence of the fever here,
they have determined to remain away. Bust
ness men who usually visit us at this season.
are now kept away by fear caused by these
rumors; gentlemen whose families are absent
from the city, find great difficulty in con-
vincing them that it is safe for them to
return; and. indeed, the annoyance and
trouble resulting from these ill-founded
rumors, are almost incalculable. We have
heard of physicians who very recently ad-
vsed absent friends not to return. 1t seems
hard to believe that such advice should be
given by professional gentlemen who have
been here all summer, and who should know
that there is really no reason to fear re-
turning to the city at the present time, and
yet such advice has actually been given. Now,
The whole matter resolves itself simply into
this Either the books of the Board of Health
are correct, and all physicians have reported
every case Of yellow fever brought under
their notice, or else some of our physicians
have been criminaliy negligent in violating
the law, or the officers of the Board of Heath
have neglected their duty. If the re-
ports, as recorded in the Office, are
correct, there Ind been, up to
the 23d of October, 81 cases of fever in the
city, 46 of which resulted fatally, and to call
this epidemic would be nonsensical. If, on
the contrary, there has been dereliction of
duty on the part Of any of our physicians, or
by any of the officers of the Board of Health,
the matter should be subjected TO a close and
impartial investigation, and the blame and
punishment meted out to those who so richly
deserve it.
One thing is qnite sure, the city has been
remarkably healthy throughout the SIMMER,
and is singular!y healthful now. We are told
that residents in the neighborhood of the
ridge cemeteries report quite a heavy
frost on the morning of November 1,
and gentleman who went to that locality
early on Monday morning reports that he
saw unmistakable evidences Of frost, and is
fully prepared to credit the statement that
there had been heavy fall during the night
before. We trust our citizens and authorities
will do all they possibly can to annul the
effects of these false rumors, and with conf
dence we call upon all newspapers through
out the country who feel disposed to do US
justice to publish full denial of any asser-
tion leaving the impression that there is dan
ger in visiting the city at present, or that
there has been any epidemic here this season.
EARTHQUAKES.