Connecticut western news., 1876-10-20
YELLOW FEvER's VICTIMS.
A Graphic Story of the Deadly Southern
 ScOurGe.

A Graphic Story of the Deadly Southern
 scOurGe.
 Albert R. Lamar, formerly editor of the Savannah AdUertiser, gives graphic description of the terrible scourge that has befallen Savannah and Brunswick. The fever was discovered to be epidemic August 20. The discovery fell like thunderbolt from a 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 full supply of pure water and the police, in addition to their other duties, are made sanitary inspectors and there had been no vel 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 origina- ted 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 temperature of over ninety degrees for sixty days, with an easterly wind from of the Gulf stream since April. From the very beginning the disease was of the most malignant type and de6ed all efforts to cont ol it, and the death rate ran up as high as forty eight per day. The epidemic has reached it's climax, and from this time forward there will be fewer cases, but the death rate will be proportionately higher, as the disease becomes more malignant as the season for it draws to a closeAf Nothing short of hard freeze will effectualiy stamp out the pestilence, and that is not to be expected earlier than the middle of November. Fully | 1000 people have died of the plague. | Tho usual population of Savannah is 1 30, 900. A census was taken which showed LOGO people there at present. Not less than 800 of them are down with the fever now. One hundred and fifty three new cases were reported, 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 @ change of atmos- phere would almost certainly develop the latent seeds of the disease in the system, and an attack of that sort in- variably proves fatal. No language, said Col. Lamar, can describe the ter rible gloom and apprehension that hang over Savannah. The suffering and des- titution are absolutely horrible. Sa- vannah has colored population of about 15,OCO, who are turally care less and improvident, and then she has a large white laboring class who are de, pendent 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 chaff before a whirlwind, and is now attacking the better classes. Many prominent ciLi. zens 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 symptoms 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 ol his coffin. If the fever subsidies with. out the black vomit appearing, two ol three weeks of careful nursing will make him well. A repulse is always fatal After the black vomit supervenes re covery is rare. -..,
 Many heartrending incidents of the terrible plague are told. A worthy ant estimable lady Of Savannah was buried cofhnless, because one could not be pro cured for love or money. In many in stances the dead were laid in the graveI and the graves left open because there was no time to fill them.
 I A great deal of aid has been given Sa vannah and Brunswick, but great dea remains to be done. Thousands of peo pie are in absolute need of everything All infected bedding and clothing mus of necessity be destroyed, The treat ment of the disease requires large quan l titles of ice, costly medicines, aud nour
 ishing food. The flooring classes hay , no work of any kind, and are who'll d stitute. A dollar now is worth te , next month. Money and supplies sen , to Capt. John F. Wheaton, agent C the Benevolent Association, Savannah , Ga., or O. B. Dexter, Brunswick, Ga will be properly applied.