Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-12-28

SHOCKING MoRTAuTY.-Reliable reports
as reliable at least as the statements OF lead
ing observation-disclosures that there have been
in Burlington within year past one thous.
and cases Of diphtheria. Nearly two hundred
of these have proved fatal. The disease is
mostly among children, from infants up to
twelve years of age Hatchnan.
The "reliable" reports alluded to were state
ments (similar in substance) made in recent
letters from Rutland to the Boston GlO6e,
and from Burlington to the Springfield Re
publican. Among these statements were al
legations that from two in every five to one
in every two Of the children in Burlington
have had diphtheria that there has been
marked silence observed by the papers re-
garding the existence of the disease here ;
and that the doctors have given up attempt
ing to cure it by any remedies and seem to de-
vote themselves to efforts to cover up the
fact Of the prevalence of the scourge.
In regard to these matters, it is well to re-
member, in general, that the correspondents
of the city papers are, as a rule, not the
most reliable sources of information. Writ
ing always anonymously, and sometimes
having but little personal character to main
tain. they are largely released from respon-
sibility They must write something start
ling, or their efforts may not find place in
the papers to which they send them, and
they will get no pay for their trouble. Even
when meaning to be truthful and accurate,
as some doubtless do, it is still the fact that
they are under peculiar temptations to hunt
up something sensational that they COM
monty do not pretend to have any interest in
the welfare, or care for the reputation of
communities and individuals, and that many
safeguards for truth and sound discretion,
which apply in other cases, are imperative
with them. In regard to this par
ticular matter, We have to say that
our best physicians pronounce the statements
inaccurate and some OF them must neces-
sarily be so. The assertion in regard TO the
number of deaths, from diphtheria. for in
stance, is taken from the city undertakerS
But the undertakers have no records which
enable them to accurately classify the deaths
from different diseases. There ought to be,
doubtless, an accurate registry of deaths and
their causes. 1t would be well if no inter
ment could take place without proper GER
tifcate Of the cause of death but there is
no such registry or regulation in Burlington
We understand that the physicians are en-
deavoring to collect some reliable informa-
ton and figures on this subject, and that 1t
will probably be made available at their
meeting next month and when secured it
will doubtless be given to the public.
Our readers know that there has been no
attempt to hide the prevalence of the dis
ease, on the part of this paper. Our columns
have contained frequent mention of it. 1t
would be folly to deny its rayages. 1t is
terrible scourge among children, here and in
many places in New England, and elsewhere.
The last report of the Massachusetts, Board
Of Health shows that it now stands second to
consumption, in that State, as cause of
mortality. Being contagious disease,
whatever its origin. it is liable to prevail in
any locality. And there is no foundation,
we think, for the theory developed, in both
the letters to which We have alluded, that
the disease is more prevalent on sandy soil
than on clay. If Water street - now
Battery street-in this city, has, as alleged
by these correspondents, had less of the dis
ease than other localities, 1t is not, as stated,
because of its clayey soil for, running along
the top of the bank shove the lake, it is, as
all residents of the city know, for the most
part deep sand Nor is it true that our ply
sicians have abandoned all confidence in
medicine in this disease. 1t is a mysterious
disease but some Of our physicians have not
lost FIVE per cent of their patients. 1t seems
to be lessening in prevalence and in mortali-
ty, and we trust that with settled Winter
weather it will cease its rayages.