Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1878-10-03
THE HOWARD ASSOCIATIONS
"A brief Sketch of its Origin NVoD,
DerS, and LabOrs IN, 4Ir.a 60
From the Boston Herald

|
"a rAeL sketch of it's Origin. Men,
OeES' and LabOrs in the SOutI
| From the Boston Herald:
Numerous letters have been received
asking for information in relation to the
Howard Association, which has been
brought into notice so prominently dur
ing the past few weeks. In reply, we will
state that it is one of the nOblest institu-
tions in the land, and is composed of he
roic and benevolent gentlemen, who have
for years been bound together by the
grandest of human impulses. This or
ganization was formed twenty-five years
ago, when the city of New Orleans was
almost depopulated by the dread vista
ton of the yellow fever; and when, dur
ing the month of August, 1853, it swept
away 5,269 souls, and out of population
of I25, 900 that remained in the city dur
ing the course of the epidemic % ,O2O
were attacked, and 8, 101 died. In many
of the smaller towns of Louisiana the
mortality was terrible. At Providence,
La, the population was reduced by fight
to about 400. OF these $50 siekened and
165 died. At Vieksburg the fever also
ragged terribly. In a reduced population
of about 5000, there were 2,1OO cases and
800 deaths. In Jackson, Miss, out of $50
who remained, $50 took the disease, and
112 died. In other localities people were
dropping in the streets; stricken districts
were barricaded and ingress and egress
denied: physicians and nurses could not
be obtained, and throughout that section
of the country perfect reign of terror
prevailed. Such was the malignity of the
epidemic that every one seemed crazed
with fear of contagiOn. Parents deserted
their fever-stricken children, husbands
their wives, and all in turn were deserted
by their friends when the dread malady
made its appearance. Then it was that
this noble association had its birth. Be-
ing aware of the fact that in New Orleans
yearly repetition of this disease was to
be expected, and that some measures for
its prevention and cure must be adopted,
a small number of the wealthiest citizens
united and formed this association, NAM
ing it in honor of the worlds greatest phi
lanthrOpist, John Howard. 1t was formed
for the purpose of procuring nurses, med
icines and physicians in such emergen-
cies as that through which they had just
passed. AS soon as the terror which had
been inspired by the epidemic was aIlay-
ed, the public began to take an interest in
this association, and its ranks grew rap
idly. Previous to the war it was one of
| the wealthiest associations in the country,
but, like everything else, it has felt the
! demoralizing influences of the late war,
and at the present time most of its mem
bers are poor. They have established
| agencies throughout those sections of the
| South where, during the past, this malig-
nant epidemic has been the most severe.
| Wherever it has reared its head the How
ard doctors and nurses have been found
at their post, and the amount of misery
and suffering which have been alleYiated
| through the exertions of the self-denying
| and heroic members of this organization
is simply incalculable. Their plan of op-
| Grafton in New Orleans, and in fact in all
of the cities and towns where they have
agencies, is to have the cities divided in
to districts, to which several members are
assigned. and when the fever makes its
appearance all cases are Immediately re-
ported to headquarters.
The visiting committee Immediately in
vestigate the matter, and physicians and
nurses are Immediately employed. The
most of the nurses are colored men, who
have had the fever, and consequently are
not so liable to inf ectiOn, although not
necessarily exempt, as atLtimes it often
happens that both nurse and patient sue
cumb to the destroying malady and both
share common grave. Some of the
nurses receive pay, but there are many
volunteers to their ranks, these consisting
mostly of Sisters of Charity and members
of benevolent associations. The Howard
Association never appeals for funds, al
though at times greatly in need, and all
money or necessaries for the sufferers
that is intrusted to their care is divided
impartially among those most in need,
their actions being gu ided by the same
spirit that actuated the truly Christian
man from whom they derive their name.