Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-09-27
On the Conveyance of YelIow-Fever.
To the Editor of the New York Times:


Yellow-fever is a specific, infectious fever,
which is permanently present in some locali-
tier, like Havana, Vera Cruz, st. Thomas,
San Domingo, and other places. There is no
proof whatever of its spontaneous develop
nent anywhere, but it appears In many in
stances to borrow new vigor by its importa-
ton from one place to another. Every cpl
demic IN this country has had an assignable
source of importation, and even " here this is
not very obvious, IL would have been discov-
cradle had Investigations been properly
instituted. The disease is conveyed from
place to place in the bilge-water of ships and
by the persons, but especially by the effects
of the discharges of the sick. But, as l. D.
M'Donald says: Whatever physical con-
dltiOns, such as an increase of temperature,
moisture and subsequent evaporation, or the
common decompositions of cesspools, or the
etfiuvia evolved in bad drainage may be
operative on shore; yet, when once commu-
nicated to a man. of-war vessel and isolated
on her voyage by far removal from all local
land influences, the phenomena are very
striking and suggestive. Under such cir
cumstances it is difficult to witness the spread
Of the disease from one Individual to another,
and its virulence becoming more intensified
by the unavoidable crowding of the sick,
without recognizing the important part that
the emanations and excretions of the human
body must take in the matter. 1t may be
objected that all the most potent of the ter
restrial or atmospheric conditions alluded to
are fulfilled in the bilge-efhuvia of the vessel,
but it must be apparent to the close observer
that the human element far outweighs all
other suggestions, although bilge-water and
all other toulnesses In the vessel may form a
indus for the further development of the
disease and its spread. But when the dis
ease is again landed at some new port,
this pilge-water is not brought on
shore, although it may be communicated
to foul docks The clothing and effects of
the dead, and of the survivors, and even of
those who have not been sick, but which have
been long exposed to the emanations of the
sick, are then brought on shore and taken to
near or distant points IN the unfortunate
town. The more crowded and the more
filthy the houses into which these infected
things are broaght, the greater will be the
danger of an outbreak. It Is believed that
the specific yellow-tever poison caanot be con-
veyed directly from the sick to the healthy,
but must first be deposited in decomposing
animal and vegetable matter. Still, how
ever this may be, it is certainly a portable
disease, which can be conveyed from one To-
cality to another by means of clothing, foul
merchandise, and in the holds of vessels. If
filth is necessary to It's propagation, where is
that most easily met with but IN the I'M
washed bodies and clothes of the dirty poor,
and in their foul rooms. kitchens, privies,
yards, streets, cutters, sewers, etc., and even
in the houses of the slovenly and careless
rich-for not every rich person is clean per-
son in every part of his house and belong
inps. Z.