Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-17
YELLOW FEVER.
sensational Reports Coming into St. Louis
from tho South-The Plague OF Last
Summ-r again Fastened ON tho
pe0nln-
st. Louis Special, 18th.

XGOtACs
st. Louis Special, 18th.
S. r. Hewitt, of No. 95, Maiden Lane,
New York, arrived here to-day after a tour
through the portions of the south said to be
infected with yellow fever. He confirms the
reports of yellow fever prevailing in GER
tain sections. In New Orleans there were
several deaths during his stay, and, in Vicks.
burg, he witnessed the funerals of four peo-
pie who had fallen Victims to the dreadful
tropical scourge. Me-. Hewitt is Of opinion
that the change of seasons has not thorough
ly eradicated the disc ise and that it will
show its saffron head again early in the
spring.
Physicians 10 Mississippi and Tennessee
contend that the exhuming and the removal
of bodies are the cause of the temperance
of the disease, and that if steps are not
taken by the authorities to stop this the
fever will occur again with its old-time ma
lignancy. The bodies removed are mostly
those Of the wealthy and respectable class,
who remained in the plague-stricken dis
tricts to care for worldly possessions while
members Of the family fed to the north and
waited until they could return with safety.
Many of these victims were buried by the
side Of the paupers IN Potter's Fields, and
the relatives have been waiting until the
weather would permit of their removal for
interment in the family graveyards.
The work Of removal has been repulsive
and sickenlng,th bodies being in a partially
decomposed state, and in many instances the
collins reeking with the putrefaction within.
The removals are sometimes made at night,
but the g%rave-dlggers can be seen at almost
any time during the day engaged in this
shocking business. Removing bodies has
grown to be a lucrative business since the
weather became a few degrees cooler. As
much as $40 are paid for taking up q vic.
tim, and an undertaken will sometimes make
three or four removals in one day. The
business is not confined to undertakers, aud
negroes can be found who will remove a
body for a smaller consideration by half.
Undertakers in many instances prefer not
to contract for removals, and express their
adherence of the business.
Ii the weather does not grow colder soon |
some measure will have to be adopted to
stop removals. and, as q matter of safety for
the future, some steps should be taken.
Many merchants, says Dir. Hewitt, are max.
ing no preparations for the spring trade,
another visitation of the fever. They
to be incumbered as little as possible,
and if the sc0urge does appear again with
any considerable virulcnce it will have the
of almost depopulatiug certain south.
ern states. Real state can be purchased
almost any figure. The exceedingly mild
state of weather here has caused the St.
Louis health commissioner to issue an or
that no more bodies be disinterred from
The frost has penetrated only
three feet during the winter, notwithstand.
|ng the exceedingly cold snap. and it is con
expedient to take all due precau-
ions. Although no danger is anticipated
rom malaria or contagion next summer, il
8 always safe TO be cautious hence the &C
ion of the commissioner. It has been
to the board OF health that
10 more bodies be allowed to be brought
lere from the south, and action will soon
Ne taken on the suggestion, aud every means
will be adopted to preserve the health(ul
OF the community.