The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-09-03
publication a summary of his views on
the important subjects of which it treats.
II. r. CHEW, NJ. D.
A. X. CARoTHEhs, NJ. 2. Chaifman.

"A, n. OAkOlhEhHt kAAs 49, (@@@%-
Secretary.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Aug, 70, 1873: l1
r. RI CHrw. M. d.. Chairman of Meeting .
Milne Phvsicians of San Antonio.
DEAR SIR-I take pleasure 10 respond T
inc A the fiatteriur resolution of the meet.
ne ovsr which Won presided, that would
rive the views arrived at by me, IN my m
1s.t;cat;ons Of the subject OF the origin,
mode of development and character OF the
1eIIo1v fever poison, and what measures
shonld he taken TO prevent its introduce
t;on into our city or 70 arrest its progress
If unfortunately it should be introduced. i
In the following rather desultory remarks
have eudeayored DO attain the object in
view, am we'll aware that can claim
no originality for any of the propositions
presented; they are those held by large
majority, as believe, Of the best hygieu-
lists of the day. am equally well aware |
that large and distinguished minority
hold other views as to the origin OF the dis
ease; believing, as they do, that It may |
and does originate within the limits OF the
United States. But this question does
not at all affect the question OF the pro
priety of measures tor it's prevention or
] suppression. The able advocates OF the
local origin of the disease are as keeniy
alive to the importance of sanitary meas
ures Of relief as are the supporters OF Its
Iexotic derivation.
| firmly believe that San Antonio can
Ibe kent healthy this year; that the epidem-
lie which is rendering desolate so many
houses in New Orleans. ttrenada, Mem
mis-, etc, can be kept from our border.
but il must be by hard, earnest Intelligent
|, sanitary work. tbs worse than folly for
ms 10 rely Cd our isolated conditioner the
fact that fhe disease has never yet gained
foothold-for the completion of the rail-
, road has destroyed our isolation. aud the
utter neglect Of the simplest sanitary pre-
Icautions which are obvious to any person
who walks our streets, invites its APP
lproach. A proper appreciation OF the
situation here may save much sufferIng,
sorrow and death q month hence. With
these few preliminary remarks beg leave
to respectfully submit the following, as en-
bodying the result Of my experience.
Ffrst-Y elbow fever is an acute infec'
y tious disease. probably originating on the
a coast of Africa, and thence transported tC
the West Indies, where ii has become COM
pletely naturalized. and never existing
9 within the United States except in conse'
q duence of the importation and subsequent
o development and reproduction OF its actiVs
: or germinal principle.
Sec0nd-The nature Of the germ OF
u poison which produces the disease is IN
II known, but careful scientific investigation
v during the progress of epidemics, both il
:, Its natural haunts and 10 localities
:. TO which it may be imported, hal
enabled the medical profession to establish
% certain propositions which are of value il
r preventing its introduction, 10 arrestinl
Al It's spread, IN protecting the communit,
and the individual from its attack, il
3 lessening the percentage Of morality, ant
8 in demonstrating the course and termina
Sc ton Of any given epidemic. These ma
~ be briefly summarized as follows:
Third-The transmission OF yellow feYe
''' is not effected by means Of eontagion O
be exhalation given out from the bodies of tn
he sick, as is the case with smallpox, erysiI
elias aud the eruptive fevers, but the Ut
n known poisonous principle probably exist
|" in extremely minute particles or germ
ne which impregnate and render noxious til
IS, discharge from the stomach, bowels an
,st skin of any person undergoing an attack {
N. the disease. These germs may attaC
!" themselves to clothing, bedding, carpe
and furniture in sick room; they ms
penetrate the walls and woodwork of
of house, or the hold Of ship; when, by Il
general prevalence OF the disease, they b
in come numerous, they may poison the a
mosphere OF street or even of who
y town; they may coBtaminate and rend
&C dangerous drinking water, cess-pool
II privy vaults and all places where the of
TX of house is thrown. They have q
power of self reproduction outside of t
= human body; hence but an in6nitesima
'pe small quantity of the original virus ne
to be imported 10 produce a wide-spre
me epidemic. They are killed or re
&c dered innocuous by certain substa
ces known as disinfectarts, among viii
OF may be mentioned high degree of he
'sto carbolic acid, sulphate Of iron (commerc
can lcJpperas), nitrous and sulphurous Al
ate gases, ETC. A temperature of 80 Fahre
heit destroys their vitality. Should any
oan these germs hibernate and survive throu
en- a winter. it is found that on the return
re- warm weather they are revivifed,
ma have parted with portion of their vita
ty, and are no longer capable of self :
,seS production; hence 10 the second seas
he they only give rise to isolated or spora'
an cases, and do not produce an epidemic.
30, Fourth-lt has been found by act,
experience that those cities and towns
ial- posed 70 the disease which are neglec:
ion Of sanitary laws, those localities in TOW
and which are the most careless or indiffer'
no lin their moral and physical habits are I
greatest sufferers.
lnu Fifth 1t follows from the toregOi
ure that while neglected streets, alleys a
has yards and defective drains and sewe
uce vaults, sinks and cess-pools, rotten We
-. table or filth of any kind can no more
Ate' iRinate yellow fever than they can sm'
IN pox, yet their presence in
dis vicinity of human habitations
cir fords a richly -wanured soil for 1
!. Imported germ to arrive at its fullest m
ignancy. The danger to community
DV cognizsnt of and having a due regard
res. the we'll known laws of modern sanitat
ritv is reduced to minimum; that to one
L. norant of or Indifferent to them is inter
fed to n maximum.
iSiEth-To prevent the introduction
J of the disease all freightin boxes or trur
Z is and all clothing or other baggage conf
-, from infected points should be absolut
=" excluded, Passengers from infected poi
sia- should be detained one day in aquarant
The ofobservation. after which they should
and required to take a bath 10 water impr
- mated with carbolc acid and to remI
eAO ,urksota .of o1nfhtnv than xnou h,