The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-08
TIE PLAGUE UPON THEM.
The stencil Almost Ovcrpowertng -Ty
phoii Fever and Ktudrcd Diseases.

phoii Fever ana Ktudrcd Diseases.
JoHNsTowN, Pa, June 7.-"Are the hor-
rors OF the food to give way to the terrors
OF the plague?" is the question that is now
agitaiing the valley OF the Conemaugh.
Today opened warm and almost sultry,
and the stencil that assais ones senses rs
he wanders through Johnstown is almost
overpowering Sickness. in spite OF the
precautions and herculean labors OF the
sanitary authorities, is on the increase and
the fears OF an epidemic grow with every
hour. at is our impression" said DIR. I.
l.. White, Assistant to the State Board OF
Health, this morning, THAT there is going
TO be great sickness here within the next
week. Five cases OF malignant diphtheria
were located this morning on Bedford
street, and rs they were in different houses
they mean five starting points for the dis
ease. All this talk about the danger OF
epidemic is not exaggerated, as many sup
pose, but is founded upon all experience.
There will be plenty Of typhoid fever and
kindred diseases here within week or ten
days, in my opinion.
"Thc only thing that has saved us thus
far has been the cold weather. That has
given place 10 summer weather and no one
knows what the next few days may bring
forth. Even among the workmen and
attendants there is already dscernable a
great tendency to diarrhoa and dysentery.
The men are living principally on salt
mea, and there is lack OF vegetables.
have been here since Sunday, and have
not tasted fresh meat but once in that
time. am only one Of the many. OF
course the worst has passed for the ply
siCians, rs our arrangements are now per-
fected ana each corps will he relieved from
time 10 tune. Twenty more physicians
arrived from Pittsburg this morning aud
many Of us will be relieved today. But
the opinion is general among tho medical
men that there will be more need for doc
tors in a week hence than there l. now"
DIR. r. l.. Sibcrt, Of the State Boarl Of
Health, is in charge OF sanitary head
quarters.
1--WE are using every precaution known
e. iciente." slid he this morning, ''to pre-.
vent the possibility OF cpidcmics. Our
| particular channel, but have been eX-
tended in various directions. nisinicc;-
ants, OF course, are first in importance,
and they have been used with no sparing
| hand. The prompt cremation OF dead ami.
/ mails rs fast ~ discovered is another thing
which We have insisted upon. Tho immc-
diatc erection Of water closets throughout
/ tho ruins for the wOrkmen was another
work Of the greatest sanitary importance.
and has been attended 10. They. too, are
being disniected ut frequent Intervals.
| We have n committee, too that supcrin-
tends the burial Of the victims at the com.
\ eteries. IL is OF the utmost importance In
this wholesale intefmcnt that the corpscs
| should be inferred a safe distance beneath
| the surface, In order that their poisonous
carnations may not find exit through tho
crcvices Of the earth. Another committee
is making n house 10 house inspection
| throughout the stricken city TO ascertain
| the number Of inhabitants In each stand
| ing house, the number OF the sick. aud 10
order the latter 10 the hospital whenever
/ necessary.
"Our great danger Is the oycrcrowling
| OF houses aud novels, aud that Is being
| prevented us much ~ possible by the free
| use Of tents upon the mountain side. -
/ far there Is but little contagious disease
aud we hope by diligcnt and energetic
efforts TO prevent a dangerous outbreak"
Two additional cases Of typhoid fever
are reported this morning from Miners.
/ dale, making total Of seven IN that
| village alone since yesterday morning.
Measles are also becoming consil ciably
more prevalent on Prospect It'll where
the refugees camp l. established. u. T..
| Minimum. a wealthy contractor oi
Springfield, O., arrived this forenoon with
dispatch from Gov. Foraker offering ..
900 trained laborcTs for Johnstown 10 be-
sent on at once II needed. Tho dispatch
further stated that II anything else va,
needed Ohio stood ready 10 respond
| promptly 10 the call.