, 1876-12-15
Yellow Fever's Victims.
A GRAPHIC STORY OF THE DEADLY
SOUTHERN SCOURGE.


Albert X. Lamar, formerly editor of
the Savannah Advertiser, gives q graphic
description of the terrible scourge that
has befallen Savannah and Brunswick.
The fever was discovered to be epidemic
August Goth. The discovery fell like a
thunderbolt from cloudless sky upon
the people of Savannah-it was so
wholly unlocked for-as since the war
Savannah had perfected an excellent
system of drainage and built water
works, which afford a full supply of
pure water; and the police, in addition
to their other duties, are made sanitary
inspectors; and there had been no yell
low fever to speak of since 1858; and,
besides, for a number of years past, the
Summer season has been the healthiest
portion of the year in Savannah The
disease was not imported, but origin
ated in Savannah. The causes were the
very extraordinary rainfall in June of
fifteen and one-half inches, which over
flowed the rice fields near the city, and
remained there under a temperature of
over ninety degrees for sixty days, with
an easterly wind from off the Gulf
stream since April. From the very be-
ginning, the disease was of the most
malignant type, and defed all efforts to
control it, and the death rate ran up as
high as forty-eight per day. The epi-
demic has reached its climax, and from
this time forward there will be fewer
cases, but the death rate will be proper
tionately higher, as the disease becomes
more malignant as the season for it
draws to a close. Nothing short of q
hard freeze will effectually stamp out
the pestilence, and this is not to be ex-
pected earlier than the middle of No
vember. Fully 1000 people have died
of the plague. The usual population of
Savannah is 30 200. A census was taken,
which showed 81, 900 people there at
present. Not less than 800 Of them are
down with the fever now. One hun
dred and fifty-three new cases were re-
ported, and every man, woman and
child in the city is more or less affected
by the disease. All left that could get
away.
After the epidemic got under full
headway, it was more dangerous to leave
than to remain, as a change of atmos-
BACIC MOuAA hAAuOob CCA dCNC1Op
the latent seeds of the disease in the
system, and an attack of that sort inva-
riably proves fatal. No language, said
Colonel Lamar, can describe the terri
BILE gloom and apprehension that hang
over Savannah. The suffering and des-
titution are absolutely horrible. Savan-
nab has q colored population of about
IL, 900, who are naturally careless and
improvident; and then she has a large
white laboring class, who are dependent
upon their daily labor for their bread.
Business of every sort, except through
cotton, is suspended, and the laboring
classes are wholly without means. The
disease has run this class of ill-fed, ILL
clothed and ill-lodged ones, and swept
them away like chatf before whirlwind,
and is now attacking the better classes.
Many prominent citizens have died,
particularly the younger business men
of the city.
The disease comes on suddenly, and
almost invariably in the night, when
the system is exhausted. The symp-
toms are intense pain in the head, back
and limbs, and high fever, which lasts
twelve hours. At the end of that time
the patient is ready either for his cook
or his coffin. If the fever subsidies
without the black vomit appearing, two
or three weeks of careful nursing will
make him we'll. A repulse is always
fatal. After the black vomit super
venes, recovery is rare.
Many heartrending incidents Of the
terrible plague are told. A worthy and
estimable lady of Savannah was buried
cofiinless, because one could not be pro-
cured for love or money. In many in
stances the dead were laid in the graves,
and the graves left open because there
was no time to fill them.
A great deal Of aid has been given
Savannah and Brunswick, but q great
deal remains to be done. Thousands of
people are in absolute need of every
thing. All infected bedding and cloth
ing must Of necessity be destroyed. The
laboring classes have no work of any
kind, and are wholly destitute. A dol
lar now Il Vorth ten next month. Money
and supplies sent TO Captain. John +.
Wheaion, agent Of the Benevolent As
sociaiion, Savannah, Ca, or @. Z. Dex-
tor. Brunswick, Ga, will be properly
appliod.