Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-17
THE YEAR 1896.
Cholera in the Camps OF the Soldiers sta
toned Near Richmond; also, In the Ci'S.

In 1860 this vicinity was visited by the
Asiatic cholera, and though the public
purse was not unclasped until the diseisc
had taken pretty firm hold, the city did
not suffer IS severely as did some In the
West; still we had enough OF i, and
hundreds OF dollars were spent in dis
lodging the enemy where tens might have
been infinitely more effective In keeping
him out. The experience Of that year
shows that cholera found most-not
all, moSt--oi it, victims IN this city
in localities and on lots that we:e
unclean and overcrowded. The disease,
or much OF it, was probably brought here
by company OF United states soldiers who
had arrived from Newport Barracks, near
Cincinnati. The Board OF Health then
consisted OF Drs. +. w. Hancock (presl-
dent, J. G. Cabell. and w. II. Taylor, and
the chairman OF the Council Committee on
Health was Judge Crump, who never In
all his faithful public service did better.
more intelligent, or more effective work.
On August 18th the disease was noticed IN
print for the first time, and the Board OF
Health in a card to the public said:
"While there have been several severe
eases Of cholen-morbus here there has been
no tendency to IN epidemic" The same
day II was stated THAT two soldiers be-
longing TO one Of the companies ut Camp
Grant (fIaIvictown) had died Of symp
toms which the attending surgeons pro-
nounced cholera, and that five other men,
bers Of the same company were sick at tins
tine with similar symptoms"
August 18th DR.. Hancock reported to
Judge CrImp, chairman Of the COMMITTEES
D,,A1., rInatth 44fhot within tho
tWentv-four hours there have occurred In
the valley near the Lancasterian school,
house several cases Of UtOLens chOierd-nsDy-
bRS, presenting very much all the symp-
toms Of true Asiatic cholera" "Those af-
fected are all colored persons" On Au-
gust 18th DR.. Hancock reported "that
within the past thrty-six hours there have
occurred within the city limits some six or
seven cases of cholera AL near the Ian
casterian schoOl-house; all colored persons.
Also. that there had been "ten cases at
Camp jackson [Haryictownl and Stuart
Hospital" TAT old Falr-Grounds, now
Monroe Parkl
September ith IL was stated unotlicinlly
that the disease was "extinct"; but day
more and il broke out with more virulence
than ever, and on the 5th it was written
that in the past two days there had been
% eases in Camp jackson [IIarvietownl.
"0f this number II proved fatal.' The
troops were soon thereafter sent some three
or four miles from town, and the disease
choked ont after considerable number
had died. Seventeen soldiers died at Stuart
HoSpital. From August zlst 10 September
9Th there were only cases In the city.
September Sih there were 4 new ones.
II seems TO have reached IFS maximum
about October'ljth, aud to have died out
entirely new clses) after the 2lst.
After The epidemic was over the Board
Of Health reported that "Since the 18th OF
August 230 cases have been reported. OF
which 90 were whites and l2j colored.
Seventy-nine recovered, and 100 cases
proved fatal. In 81 eases the result wa7
not given. Only s cases were put down as
children"
Since 1866 our water supply has been
increased and our sewerage vastly I'M
proved. We haven't the crowded negro
population we had then, and by rigorous
enforcement of existing ordinances In
regard 10 culyert connections and nui-
sances, and by enaeting new ordinances
where existing ones are found insufficient.
and by preparing hospital accommodation
for the careful treatment OF those who can
not secure Ii at their homes. We may escape
with but little trouble even il the disease
does cross the Atlantic. II is now long
way Ofl'-woEmay never make its acQusint.
ance-and the people here, a. the people OF
other large cities are doing, may now think
about this thing in business vay-calmly,
soberly, without excitement.
Tie Council Committee on Health met
yesterday, and organized by eleciug DR..
Robert G.. Cabell as chairman aud Dr..
Thomas J. Ri1dell as sub-chairman. The
members Of the Board Of Heath were pre-
sent, and urged the committee 10 make
suitable monetary arrangement. in anticl-
patton Of what might occur. The COM
mittee agreed TO recommend 10 the City
Council to place all the city carts at the
disposal OF the Board Of Health for three
Wppke