The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-16
The Yellow Fever.

fht hthoW EtNtIs
Our Quarantine and Health Officers fore
saw in the spring that yellow fever was
likely to seriously nssail portions Of the
South If not to advance TO our own doors.
The disease made its appearance in South
America early in the year. and 1t soon as
sumcd grave proportions in the West
Indies. The last winter, too, was OF a sort
to pave the way for the progress Of the
epidemic.
Their apprchcnsions have since been
Justified by the prompt arrival Of the fever
Mt New Orleans, and its spread thence "
the northward. SO far, however. New York
has not been harmed by it, tho strict en-
forccment OF the quarantine regulations
combining the disease to those who brought
it hither, or those who were attacked by il
as the result of contact with the cargo or
ballast Of the bark from Havana, which
came Infected with tho seeds OF the plague.
In the city itself there has not been n ease
Of yellow fever this summer, though there
were a few cases last year
Still, the Health Board keeps on the look
out for cases which may be brought hero by
rail- and there is n strong probability that
they will be so brought. To prevent the
spread Qf the fever 10y such persons they will
be promptly conveyed to Quarantine, and,
what is OF the highest Importance, their
baggage will be thoroughly fumigatcd and
placed where no evil can come from it.
Fortunately, the administration Of our
Health Board is remarkably efficient, and
its arrangements for stopping the growth OF
diseases which may be imported arc very
thorough and under the immediate charge
of experienced physicians.
Tho health of the city has been better this
year, so far, than 1t was during 1871 This
is saying great deal, for the death rate in
1877 was lower than 1t had been for twelve
years previously. Moreover with the cx-
ception of the years 1867 1865, and 1869, the
number OF deaths was actually smaller last
year than during any one OF the twelve pre-
vious years. though the estimated popula-
tiOn had increased from SS5,lO7 in 1866 to
1909, 1862 in 1877.
The truest test Of the efficiency OF sanitary
measures is furnished by the statistics Of
the deaths Of children under five years Of
nge, who fall an easy prey TO bad or care
less hygiene. In spite Of the growth of the
population OF New York. fewer OF these in.
fants died in 1877 than in any Of the twelve
years, with the single exception Of 1867,
when the number was about the same. In
proportion 10 population the death rate Of
the infants was only 2i.50 in 1877, against
1880 in 1866. 1t WILL therefore, be seen how
encouraging the statistics Of the health OF
the city for this year are, when we say that
70 far they are better than in 1877; and they
are likely TO continue SO, If we keep yellow
fever away.
The yellow fever, however has now. be-
yond question, reached the proportions Of
nh alarming epidemic in parts Of the South
On Wednesday 1874 new cases and n deaths
were reported in New Orleans-an ominous
Increase Of the disease-and the inhabitants
81 the city no longer deny their fears Of the
gravest consequences. Last Sunday the
fever was declared to be epidemic at Gre
NADIA, Miss, and business there has now been
entirely suspended, while the authorities
are issuing appeals for aid The total num-
Der Of deaths up to Wednesday was "a, and
the number Of cases 1870; and the disease was
rapidly spreading. At Memphis the fever
has become SO frequent that many OF the
Inhabitants who can get away are hastily
leaving the city, and Howard Association
10 alleviate the sufferiugs Of the afflicted
has been formed. The disease is also ex-
cllhs alaTh AT NIcksDuIg, ana al along the
Mississippi river
The epidemic has n long time in which
to spread itself, for yellow fever lasts until
the coming Of frost and therefore there is
good reason for the alarm its early appear
ancc and its rapid progress have excited.
Our Quarantine and Health Board officers
may yet have all they can do TO fight yell
low jack away from New York. Fortunately
they understand the danger and are armed
TO meet the enemy.