Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-07
AS no the lingering FEVER.

Thursday evening, November 2, ISIS
AS no THE LINGERING FEVER.
The conservative and consistent
tone of the LEDGER in regard to the
yellow fever subject seems to be con
strued by some into a desire to get up
a panic. We are aware that people
are very sensitive in regard to this and
there are some perhaps who would
rather ignore the truth than be told
unwelcome facts. 1t has been our in
t%ention, from a sense of duty, to re-
port the situation just as it is, without
regard to cost or pecuniary conse-
auences. In 1873 the LEDGER con-
tanned daily reports Of the yellow
fever long before others admitted that
it was here, and those reports were not
discontinued until near the middle Of
November. Looking merely to our
own business interests we might be
disposed to foregO reports or discu-
sion at this time, but it has seemed to
be a duty not to be eyaded, to advise
the people to be cautious and slow
about bringing women and chill
dren back to the city. The
business man can come with
less risk, if he thinks it necessary.
for he spends more of his time in the
sun and the open air. When the fever
brokeoutthis year early in August, we
reported all the facts in detail as far as
could be ascertained, and urged the
people to eyacuate the city. A great
many went off panic-stricken, and still
toomany remained, as the fearfulmort-
nary records show. When the LEDGER
first announced the presence Of thC
fever. IL was stOutly denied by mel
who afterwards fed. and some who DID
not leaYe bul died at their posts. One
Of the fremen asserted that his wifi,
died of the fever, and a public Oficia
was 80 ineensed that he advised thu
discharge Of the man from the force
The doctors aficrward admitted ths.
the wouan died Of yellow fever. w.
have seen and felt enough Of thi
asurze 10 be cautious and to feel TX
grn pruSeut adTiee As to i%Biurin.
business that i a secondary consider
aiion. The business Of Memphis can
not be injured without affecting tn
newspapers 10 a greater degree than an
other kind of business As 70 a pni
which some auprehend, the peopl
here are too vel seasoned, well
balanced a1d intelligent to give way
unnecessary fright. When the heay
frosts and the little freeze came V
hoped Il was the end Of the fever. b.
the unusually warm weather Of tn
past few days, and the prospect Of
dang Indian summer, are q Euficier
warning that a considerable sprinklin
Of new cases may be developed yet. q
pocially if all the women and ehildre
rush back and occupy their old HON,
at once. 1t is best TO be on the "a.
side, for the few dollars lost in bus
ness or expenses are not to be con
pared to precious lives. Physician
who do not wish their names use
have admitted to us that the procl
nation Of the Board Of Health, ADV
ing refugees that they might cor
home with safety, wa a little prem
ture, and might as well have been p
of a week or two at least. Su.
action was not taken until mu
later in 1873. Even conceding ii
the fever runs its course in nine
days, the time has not expired y
Those who wish to make an infalliI
test Of this matter can go to tn
family physician and ask him if il
best to bring home a wife and cl
dren at this time. There is
occasion for a panic, but this is
occasion for exercising prudence, 70
Thought and common sense, as in
business affair. The reports Of
last few days show that there
enough Of fever here yet to have CT
ted CONSERVATION in the early par
August. We hope it will dimir
from day to day, and shall certai
take great pleasure in reporting
fact when it is so. The public
expect nothing more than this;
can do nothing less. Out Of defere
90 the wishes of many leading citizC
we propose this afternoon to max
special investigation of the new ca
reported. or rumored, and to give
result tomorrow. Meanwhile