New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13
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summer Horror Forty.four Years Ago.
In the month Of October, 1882, the Ash
ATTIC cholera made its appearance in the
city of New Orleans. It was very fatal go
long as it existed-say from October % to
November 9. Ii spread very rapidly. In
less than three days from the time it made
its appearance the death rate had reached
100 daily. The highest number during the
epidemic was about 200. The cholera ter
minated very abruptly. Very few cases
took place after the ninth of November.
Medical assistance was very limited at
the time, and nearly third of those who
were taken down with the disease died for
the want of attendance.
DIR. James Mcfarland, who stood very
high in the estimation OF the people, occu-
pied the Charity Hospital, which was To-
Gated in the square bounded by Canal,
Bsronne, Common and Dryades streets.
The hospital fronted on Common street,
near to the centre of the square in the
rear of what was then the State House.
The hospital was crowded to excess by
those who had been sent there for treat
ment. A great number among them were
Of our most respectable citizens, mainly
clerks who slept in stores and strangers in
the city, unacclimated.
Itw more than DR.. Mcfarland and his
aids could do to give relief to the distress
of ell. The consequence was that many of
the patients were found dead in their beds
and under them and strewn about the floor
Of the hospital.
DR.. Mcfarland, not being able to procure
help enough to bury the dead, erected
woodpile in the yard near the hospital, and
placed seventeen dead bodies upon it and
burned them to ashes. The burning Of these
dead bodies did not create any excitement
among the people. The only password was,
Terrible, but it could not be helped"
The conveniences for burying the dead
we're very limited. The hearses, what few
there we're, we're occupied from morning
until night transporting the deceased to the
different cemeteries. Many who died were
wrapped in tarred sheets before being
placed in cotfins. This was done on account
of the uncertainty of time when the hearse
would be ready to convey them to the
cemetery.
This fatal disease spread great conster-
nation among the inhabitants. Every
means was resorted to to diminish the Ca
lsmity. Cannon we're fred in every portion
of the city, while barrels Of tar, pitch, tur-
pentine and tobacco were rolled into the
streets and public squares and set on fire.
Great quantities of powder were strewed
about the streets and burned for fumiga-
ton. This process was kept up for several
days. Business of every description was
suspended by the Inhabitants. The slaves
mostly did all the work of burning the ma
terial placed in the streets and the firing of
cannon. In this last duty the city authori-
ties furnished white labor in addition.
The question was, among the people,
what would be the best remedy to prevent
an attack of cholera. Il was decided that
pure French brandy, mixed with plenty of
red pepper was preventive. Big shifts
were drank, and often. What was found
most remarkable, no one showed any signs
of intoucstion. The first two cases &C.
Cured on board the steamers Pioneer and
Atlanta, both from Cincinnati.
THOMAS j. SPEAR.