Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-01
SMALLPOXPATIENTS
In New Orleans and the Way They are
Treated, According TO "Pica-
yune" Authority.
"A Shame and a Disgrace TO Any Ea-
Ightened Community" Says the
Report Of the Inspector.

The APPEAL of Thursday last contained
a refu. alton OF charges made edItOrlally by
the New Orleans PtedguRe 10 the effect that
the Memphis Board Of Health had concealed
the real facts in regard to smallpox here;
and that DR.. Thornton purpesely left o1t Of
his mortuary report the deaths occurring at
the peslhouse. Those charges were contra
dicted by direct authority Of DIR. Thornton.
The Medical Ners. OF April 18th, has q
review Of a pamphlet ifsued by the Louis
lana State Board of Health which gives
some mighty interesting reading" about
smallpox in New Orleans. The following
extracts are taken from the review:
SMALLPOX III NEW ORLEANS.
"Ffom this pamphlet, Just Issued by the
Boaid of Health Of Louisiana, we gather
some interesting details concerning prevent
i've sanitary work in that city. After the
epidemic Of 1877, when 1899 deaths were
recorded, the disease gradually subsidized q.
In 1879 the deaths numbered al. Next
year smallpox did not appear on the NOR
tality lets. 10 1850 one fatal case occurred /;
in 1881 there were five deaths 10 twenty two
cases, and in 1882, Ais deaths among 1898
cases, the disease being evidently on the IN
cres Sc on account Of the accumulation Cf un-
protected persons in the city.
"The pTesent hospital is the private prop
erty Of a physician, who takes care Of the
patients at a contract price OF 81 60 each per
diem. Ii consists of a large garden, long I'M
cared for, and covered with dirty rags, bite OF
carpet, ETC., in which are three shabby-look-
ing bulldogs. Two OF these are intended Tor
the contract patients, while the other 10 oc-
cupied by the doctor and such pay patients
as may come 10 him for treatment. In the
public wards the utmost variety of old
| wooden and iron bsdsteadz, mostly deprived
Of their springs, Is presented; aud the mat
tresses, sheets, blankets and quilts show a
deplorable state of uncleanness, misery and
poverty. There are no curtains or shades 10
| the windows to protec. the sick from The
glare OF day; and ventilation has been for
| gotten. There were understood 10 be three
or four Duraes present, but it was impossible
| for the sanitary inspector On the Investigating
Committee TO learn what were their duties. The
| food seemed TO consist of beans, hominy and
| potatoes ARTICLES little suited TO sustain The
| strength of the patieats in such a prostrating
| disease. The kitchen was furnished with a
| few pans and kettles and had an old-fash'
| Toned privy sttached. The Inspector con
| cludes thus: The hospital is conducted and
| managed in an outrageous manner; Ia a
shame to the city Of New Orleans, and dis
grace to any emil ghtened community while
| the Investigating Committee Sums up in sim
| liar langua age: All we can say is that small
| pox hospital, or any other hospital or asylum
| intended for the relief of suffering humani y
| organized, conducted and managed as th'
| L0LSuL,I5 H. sit4i, Of THE city 10 ada
| grace 10 any city or town OF ten times les
imnoItancA and wealth than New Orleans
"The smallpox patients are brought t
this Luzsnburg Hospital in the ordinary
charity wagons that are used daily for the
removal to tee Charity Hospital of all csset
of disease or Injury, or in cabs, or springs
or, as has happened, in the street cars. Thes'
! vehicles after dieposing Of their dangerou
| loads, are used Immediately all over the city
| in general business.
"But the Board of Health pamphlet doe
| not give the whole of the facts. 1t make
| no references to the assistance given by thu
| Citizens Sanitary Association. When tht
board recommends that an ordinance b.
passed prohibiting the use Of public hack
or carriages for the transport of smallpox
| patients, the association quietly presents thu
| city with a special ambulance for use il
such cases; and while the board recommend:
compulsory vaccination, the association, il
| the absence of prohibitory laws, endeayon
| to accomplish the vaccination OF the coloreC
| people by securing the cooperation OF thei
| preachers"
1t would seem that, in view Of such
scathipg report from its own pet Board 0
| Health. the PicayuHe would be careful no
to invoke reference to it by calling Mem
| phis smallpox city, especially as there ha
| been no case reported here since April 18th
| while the disease ia still prevalent in New
| Orleans.