Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-11
Is 1t Endemic in the United statesa
To the Editor Of tho Ledger. ]

To the Editor Of the Ledger.l
Yellow fever appeared in the United
States first in Boston in 1893. Six
years later, 1899, in Philadelphia and
Charleston.
The theory upon which our sanitary
reforms are to proceed is that the dis
Ease is epidemic. In other words, pro-
duced in our Southern cities.
No one has ever claimed for it an
endemic origin in our Northern or
Eastern cities; and the question pre-
sents itself, if imported into them,
why endemic in Southern cities? Will
any rational mind conclude that it was
imported into Philadelphia and en-
demic in Charleston in this instance?
In New York it appeared the first
time in 1902, imported, according to
tina best medical authority of the
times, from the island of St. Thomas.
Again it visited Philadelphia in
174l, and New York in 1745. In these
instances it was universally conceded
to have been imported from the West
India Islands, a local origin not being
dreamed of.
The next epidemic in Philadelphia
occurred about l762 or 1853, following
which the trade with the West Indies
was destroyed by some action of the
English government and by the war
Of the revolution and no recurrence
Ofan epidemic took place till after the
peace following that war, and the re-
sumption Of trade with the West In
dies-till 1871 in New York, and 1888
in Philadelphia and Charleston.
These facts are gathered from the
publications Of La Roche, and United
States Surgeon Browns report to the
secretary Of war.
II prevailed again in Philadelphia in
1874, in New York in 1875. andin 1871.
again severely in Philadelphia, and in
Bristol, r. L
In these instances committees Of
physicians traced its origin to infected
ships arriving from the southern
islands mentioned above.
In this anne year it prevailed in
Baltimore, the first case occurring
having arrived Immediately from
Philadelphia.
But the most extensive and fatal
epidemic which has prevailed in this
country occurred in 1893 in Boston.
New York and Philadelphia. and in
this instance its introduction was
traced to infected ships from the West
Indies.
In the history Of this epidemic two
facts are noted as worthy Of speciaI
mention. Philadelphia had become
frightened at the yearly appearance OF
the disease and had placed herself il
the most excellent sanitary condition
but neglected any quarantine %regula
tons, and suffered the most terribl,
scourging she ever suffered. Tn,
other fact is that Baltimore, neglect
ins any special effort or cleansing, es.
tAbliShed a rigid system ofquarantin,
both against vessels from the Yves
Indies and against persons and bag
gage from Philadelphia, and escape.
the ditease
Another fact. Yellow fever an
peared first in New Orleans a hun
dred years later than in Boston an.
Philadelphia.
If the disease is endemic in th
southern states, how can the fact {
it's very much later existence in Ne,
Orleans be ~explaiued2 New Orlear
had been a city long time, and
dirty city, too, exposed to all the inc.
dents Of malaria under an almo.
tropical sun, and escaped for a hut
dred years while Northern cities su.
fered.
Can there be any other solution
this matter than the importation
the disease, by or along the lines
trade, then very much greater wit
u Eastern cities.
| may state in conclusion that III
object Of this paper is not to prcver
any action which our people may dee.
necessary ia place our city in the vel
best sanitary condition FOR cleanline.