Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-17

Philadelphia Public Ledger.


Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Naturally, the progress of the ehol-
era, when on its periodic march, is
watched with much interest, and it is
quite natural that countries fronting
on the Mediterranean should be closing
their gates against both ships and
fugitives from Egypt and other in
fected districts. That much dreaded
disease is following its usual route
the great lines of traffic and travel
from Oriental countries westward.
But, much as we read of its fat lily in
some Of The towns Of Egypt, and seri-
ouslya the situation is regarded in that
country and its vicinity, there is less
In the nature of panic THAI on former
occasions. Precautionary steps are tax
en- in countries bordering on the great
sea into which the Nile empties, aud
sanitary measures are put in operation,
including quarantine, isolation and
expulsion, where these proceedings are
necessary. This is all. There is no
need for scare, even in Conti-
mental Europe. The disease is
so we'll understood now that
medical men in civilized
countries can handle it, cope with it,
and, in the main, master it, except
where the prevalence of dirtiness,
filthiness of the surroundings, of the
dwelling. and of the person and bad
habits i'm the patient, enable the
disease to conquer.
The purpose of this article, how
ever, is not to go into the preventive
or remedial side OF the subject, but to
review the history of the disease here
at home, and especially here in Phila-
delphia. We have had three cpl
denies of cholera in the last tifty.on
years. The first was In 1882, the sec.
ond in 1919, the third in lS66-at
periods OF seventeen years apart.
This is the local period thus far in
our experience. 1t is not a period
set down by any of the authorities on
the subject of cholera that we are
aware Of. Abroad they mention fire.
quently twelve year period, supposed
to coincide In rough way with the
Mecca pilgrimages. Therefore our
seventeen year term may be but an
accidental coincidence. Still, it may
be worth considering, especially as
this year, 1888, when the cholera is
making such havoc in Egypt, marks
another term.
In 1892 the first case of cholera ap
peared in Philadelphia, on the 18th
OF July after it had been on its travels
for two years from its breeding places
in the East. 1t continued for eighty.
six days, until October 9th, during
which time there were 1929 cases and
754 deaths in population Of about
one hundred and sixty thousand.
Those who are old enough to remem.
Der the events of that year will won.
der now that there could have been so
much alarm, when they look at these
comparative numbers-one death from
cholera in every 2l2inhabitants of the
city. At the return Of the epidemic
in l849. the first cases in the city
we're reported on the Both of May. On
this occasion the epidemic lasted here
eighty.one days, until August 18th,
during which time there were 2l4l
cases of the disease and TAI deaths in
a population Of about three hundred
and twenty FIVE thousand-or about
one death from cholera to every
439 inhabitants. The disease
mitigated in its power of
spreading by transplantation to our
climate, by encountering cleaner DOM
iciles, and by the experience gained
in methods of isolation in 1892, at
tackled far fewer people and the ratio
of cases and deaths to population was
largely reduced. When it came again
in 1866 our Health Board and physi-
clans were still better armed for the
contest. On this occasion the first
cases were reported on the 18th and
9th of April, and there were no
others until the 10Th of May, none of
which we're fatal. The first deaths
(two) were reported in the week end
ing June Both; and from that time on,
until the 22d Of December, about l75
days, the total number of deaths was
$40, 10 a population Of about $4,000,
or about eae death from cholera to
every go inhabitants.
1t will be seen from these figures
that the ability of our Board of Health
and Of the medical profession to check
the spread OF the disease in Philadel
phia has increased with each visitation
Of epidemic cholera, the ratio of de
cline in the mortality as compared
with population being but one in every
go inhabitants in 1866, in contrast
with one in every 439 inhabitants in
l849, and one in every 2l2 inhabitants
in 1882, This progressive and large
reduction was the product of expert.
enOe, combined with great in.
dustry aud energy on the part
of the Health Boards at all
three periods in cleansing the foul
places OF the city in advance, and in
steady publication during the whole
term of the existence of the disease.
We do not doubt that if epidemic
cholera should come here again, as it
may, the mortality, compared with our
great population will be still further
diminished by the application of the
same sanitary and other precautionary
measures. Asiatic cholera is especially
disease that revels in filth. livery
foul spot is a nesting BlacS for il; and
drunken pr dripking habits are pecu.
liaFly poteAt ip carrying the disease to