The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-08
ANOTHER REPORT.
What Was Witnessed by Agent of the
Red Cross Society.

" sAab WAS WIIneSSeu Dy an agent OF Une
Red Cross Society.
WASHINGTON, Dec. DIR. j. B. Hubbell, field
agent of the American Association of the Red
Cross has written the following letter to Miss
Clara Barton from Wise county, Virginia, rela-
tive to the disease which has been prevalent in
that State:
This morning called on Judge G. W. Kill
gore, attorney, editor and member of the Legis-
lature, who has taken pains to collect data and
particulars of the disease in this and adjoining
counties. The first case which appeared
in this region was that of William
Bates, at Round Gap Cumberland
mountains, in the latter part of July, at the be-
ginning of the drought. He fingered nearly two
months, when he died. The next three cases
appeared at Gladville in August, also when the
drought began. Other cases occurred in Bowl
Camp along the tributaries of the creek, where
it became a general epidemic, causing sixty
deaths. 1t became general over Wise county in
the latter part of August and September, when
the deaths were frequently five per day
AS nearly can be ascertained the deaths in this
county numbered 200. In Lee, Dickinson and
Buchanan countless Virginia, and in Mcdowell
county West Virginia, scattering case occurred,
averaging about twenty deaths in EACH What
ever the original cause of the disease may have
been, there is no doubt that it has been aug
mented by drought and impure water. The
first cases which appeared were bloody fux with
vomit later assuming the form of Asiastic cholera
In nearly all cases where the pateients died they
were attacked with severe gripping, with the
above named symptoms. The disease existed in
two forms-one as above the other commencing
with gripping and vomit, Those affected in the
latter way never died. Large quantities Of
sometimes red and sometimes dark blood ap-
peared at the various stages of the disease. All
who died were conscious to the last, and every
adult was not only anxious to die, but prayed to
die. The disease has now nearly disappeared in
this county, there remaining but three critical
cases; but II has left many cripples in condi
ton resembling that caused by rheumatism.
'The remedy which proved most effectual was
a compound of castor oil and olive oil, laudanum
and camphor, or, where physicians were in at
tendance simple treatment with warm teas and
careful nursing. None of the attending physi-
clans seemed to understand the disease, and
their treatment was simply experimental. In
the commencement various forms of treatment
were used and every patient so treated
died. The disease was more fatal
along the creeks and rivers than on
the highlands, One year ago the same or a
similar disease attacked man and his wife on
Dry Fork in this county, and both died. Two
years ago two cases appeared, and the persons
recovered.
Il will send samples of the water from differ
ent sections where the disease has prevailed to
Washington for chemical analysis. l expect to
go into Kentucky tomorrow dec. g. There
has been plenty of food and no destitution of
any Kind, save lack of proper medical attend