Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-03
The yyork or sla.nping Omt.

EDITOR LEDGEB:-The proposition
to have Governor Marks convene the
legislature to aid Memphis in stamp
ing out yellow fever is one that de-
serves consideration. Its advocates
proceed upon the supposition that filth
engenders the disease, when, to say the
least of it, the better informed portion
of the medical profession would un-
hesitatingly refuse to ascribe its origin
to that cause any the more readily |
than they would attribute small pox, /
measles, scarli tina or whooping-
cough to the same source. The pro-
fession knows as much and as little of !
the cause producing either of these
diseases as it does of that of yellow
fever. The profession and the public |
are more familiar with them than with |
yellow fever because of having more
frequently met with them, but the pc
culiar agent developing either or any
Of them must, necessarily be forever
veiled in mystery. Some things are
within the compass Of human intellec-
tuality and ingenuity; but the agen-
eies producing these diseases are not
among the tangibilities accessible to
science, And SO Of yellow fever
While much has been learned of the
circumstances attending its de-
velopment, course, treatment
and termination, It's real cause will
remain, like other epidemics, occult.
We know that vessels trading with
the isles south of us bring it to our
shores-that formerly it ravaged our
Eastern cities when the tradej with
those islands was largely confined to
them; and we know that New Or
leans was for a long time exempt
from this plague, while our Eastern
cities suffered severely, until relieved
by quarantine regulations. We know
that introduced into locality under
circumstances favoring its develop
ment it prevails, extending itself
along the lines of trade and travel,
and this is about what is known of it.
The most perfect system Of sewerage
and drainage, the most absolute free
dom from filth has never and will
never be sufficient to stop its progress,
when introduced into a locality. 1t
inyades the gilded palace as we'll as
the hoyel where existing. Memphis,
though ordinarily as healthy as any
: Southern city, might be benefited by a
: more perfect system of drainage, but
that it is dirty and filthy city now,
or ever has been, is not true. She is
\ naturally well drained, and her drain
e age might be made perfect without a
/ very great outlay. The proposition
S to have the governor convene the
5 legislature, and the governor and
e legislature TO stultify themselves by
t making appropriations to render Mem
g phis yellow fever proof is one Of the
absurdities of the age and the gov
ernor and legislature that engages in
this work will be doomed in public
n estimation. 1t might pay the State
h well to aid in building up a large city
here; but let no one be duped with
i the idea that the governor, the legisla-
h turc, or the city Of Memphis can die
q tate to the fell destroyer and say thus
i far and no farther, by any system Of
i drainage. Memphis should have well
!. paved streets and a perfect system Of
# sewerage, but not az the expense Of
70 the State. Her people, her property
- holders must combine for that pur,
% pose. The legislature if convened
- will Do nothing toward that work
a But we'll paved streets and the mos
: perfect system Of sewerage will no
= prevent the recurrence of yellow fever
,r epidemics
v Quarantine regulations propcri!
70 directed must, after all, be relied OF
n for thqt purpose. That the feye
rs hibernatod, SO to speak, here last win
70 ter, is unquestionable. 4 few Of tn,
: thousands of infected dwellings wer
not rid of it by the frosts OF the past
mild winter, and returning summe
0. suns again gave it prevalence. Fla,
ID proper attention been given by land
a. lords and tenants to renewing an,
O. cleaning houses, bedding, etc, its re
70 currence the past summer would hav
ID been prevented. This is the meaps 0
= indispensable employment for tn
20 present winter, to accomplish tn,
70 work Of stamping out. j,
hs GaJffurasa.s New Constellation.