The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-05-03
snall wo nave Fever this Year.

10 the Editor Of The Comet
It is not for the purpose of increasing
the already wide spread apprehension oil an
other epidemic, OF that know more than
written upon subject still debatable, but
to correct some impressions find prevalent
and to urge to greater diligence on the part
of our people and our health officers, that
pen this melo-medical epistle'
| In the absence of surer data, am dis
posed to fall back on the record OF past
epidemic cyclones, which we find recurring
with singular regularity in periods of % to
80 years, beginning with 1871, then 1919
and 1920, 1850 and 1878. During the con-
tinuance of former epidemics we find the
same places visited sometimes for several
consecutive years, while other places had
fewer visitations. Thus from 1871 to 1904,
when the fever disappeared for long time,
we find its visitatiors as follows:
179l-New York
1793-Phlladelphia. ''
1794-Baimore
1795-96-New York,
1797-New York, Baltimore
l79s-New York, Philadelphia Wilmington, Del,
and New England
1799-Charestan, S. c., and other Southern ports,
1S0O-Norfolk, Baltimore, and other places.
The above are the principal points that
suffered during that period. We find
that later epidemics acted similarly ex-
cept that the northeast cities did not suffer
80 much-owing possibly to stricter quar-
antine and sanitary arrangements.
The mere fact that some years ago
Shreveport and Memphis each had only one
epidemic year, does not prove that we will
be likewise favored if there is periodical
return of fever as formerly, for it is about
the regular time for such return. That
New York and othe eastern cities were
visited year after year, though their winters
are uniformly cold, tends to counteract the
hope INDUCED that our late severe winter
may have destroyed all the germs of last
season. Should the conditions OF heat and
moisture be present this summer, we may
expect fever again, aud will not be confined
to the territory visited last year. If any
importance is to be attached to the theories
of the weatherwise men, we are to have
another hot summer.
In view of the above records and pre-
sumptions, it behoves us to put forth every
effort to guard against and mitigate Cf it
does Gomez as far as possible the horrors
of an epidemic.
Strict guarantees were found last year
most effectual, and seemingly, the only pro-
lection. Every sanitary arrangement should
be made to promote good health, and where
persons can do SO, they should dispense
from crowded localities at the first alarm.
But especially should our seaports enforce
the most rigid guarantees on all vessels
coming from fever or suspected ports.
Furthermore, people living in houses CT
localities where the fever prevailed, should
see to it that everything that might pos
5ibIr nave harbored the germs be imme-
diately destroyed.
They incur fearful responsibility, who
FOR economy or other cause, are retaining |
beds, mattresses or other articles that may |
1t any moment bring desolation upon whole
1t may be too late to use
measures when the enemy is
At onr doors. If this will effect the object |
then your correspondent shall
feel satisfied. Nor AN M. d.