The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-25
THE HISTORY OF ONE CASE OF
YELLOW FEVER.

Tho very discreditable position taken by
TIE representatives Of the Boards of Health
OF the Southern States and Of Illinois, at
their meeting, held In Nashville last Tues
day, TO the effect that one case Of yellow
fever should not DO considered cause suili-
cient for the establishment Of a quarantine
against city, town or village, has invited
general contempt that every considerable
person will deplore who knows how valua-
bic State Boards OF Health are and have been
in local sanitary matters. The cases Of
death from yellow fever mentioned in these
columns yesterday as having been traced
directly to the case Of the man Spencer,
who died of that disease at Decatur, are
supplemented by thatoi another, a refugee
from Decatur, who sought refuge in Lou.
isyille and died there Of yellow fever, SOW.
ing the seeds of the disease 80 quickly that
a citizen OF that place has also fallen vic
tim to it. Thus we find one case like true
seed bearing its legitimate fruit Going
back to the origin Of the yellow fever in
Jacksonville, Fla, we find proof addition
al to this Of the absurd and ridiculous POI
sition taken by these representatives Of
the Southern Boards OF Health. The Hon.
o. b. Smith, Mayor OF that city, tells the
story, and we give ii in his own words.
He says the epidemic originated with a
man named Mcconnell, Who
Lett Tampa on HIS way North during the latter
part OF July The prcccdlng fall yellow fever had
been mging In Tampa AMI The city was slill In
quarantine, but Mcdonnell hid n clean permit
from the Health Board. IL felt we'll and % all
appearances was we'll. kOnthc train young man
occupied the same scat VIII him aud talked with
him Tor three hours. Neat jacksonville Mcconnell
began To feel unwcll. thDugh no direct symptoms
Of yellow fever were Hprabnt doctor attended
him. but did not detect the nature Of the disease
until day OF two nitcrward. Its companion
won't 10 work In n dry golb Atorc aud In a weeks
time was stricken down with yellow fever Ia tho
meantime he had given A. Ia every clerk Ia tho
store Even before II was known TINT Mcconnell
had yellow fever be hal impaired II to many
Thus the disease spread, aud by the middle Of Au
gust had assumed the proportions OF an epidemic
We had done everything We could TO prevent Il
aud the city was scrupulously clean.
Thus wo find in this man Mcconnell,
from Tampa, the beginnings Of the disease
that has been carried from Jacksonville tc
Decatur. TO jackson, Miss, and other
points, and has already cost the pco.
pie Of tho South millions Of dollars by the
disturbance and disruption Of trade and
occasioncd disquiet that may be carried
over into 1889 unless in the meantime
Congress provides for the reorganization o
the National Board Of Health or for the
organization OF National Bureau o.
Health in connection with the Treasury
Department. The untimely blundcr made
by the rcpresen tatiyes of the State Board
Of Health at Nashville, where they re.
solved that ono case Of yellow fever should
not he quarantinod against, has impaired
II not destroyed, public confidence In
those bodies 80 far rs yellow fever cpl
denies and quarantine or non-inicrcoursC
are conce rncd.