Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-09-22
JUMPED THE BARS.


Five Cases of Genuine Cholera Discovered
in New York-A Physicians Opinion.
NEW YORK, Sept. 15.-The board of
health announced this afternoon that
from a meteorological examination
made by Prof Herman Biggs on the
bodies of several suspected cholera pa
tients there had been five deaths from
Asiatic cholera in New York
All these cases were originally report
ed to the health officers as suspected
cholera and had been under the investi-
CATION of the physicians connected with
the department. Prof. Hermann Biggs,
who is in charge of the division sof
pathology and bacteriology of the
health department, at once began max
ing archaeological examinations. He
reported to the health department this
afternoon the result of his examinations
and pronounced unhesitatingly that the
cases were Asiatic cholera beyond any
doubt
The physicians of the health depart
ment have been unable to find out how
the cholera was contracted in each of
these cases. So far as they have been
able to learn none of the dead persons
came in contact with the cholera
germs.
Every precaution has been taken to
prevent the spread of cholera in these
different houses. The bedding of each
of the patients has been burned and
the places have been placed under OBJ
servation.
A PHYSICIANS OPINION.
NEW YORK, Sept. 15.-One of the doc
tors formerly attached to the board of
health in speaking of the proba bility of
1,o - II, - =
last night: s'The present indications
point to an epidemic of cholera which
shall require the most stringent meas
ures on the part of the authorities to
prevent from assuming large proper
tions. The fact that the history of the
cases are so far unknown makes the
danger all the greater, as the points of
distribution of cholera germs may be
many. We're these centers of infection
known measures might be taken to de-
stroy the germs and guard against the
further spread.
LAS the situation is at present, the
health authorities can only act on each
case as it appears, while the disease it.
self is perhaps secretly spreading and
injecting the crowded tenement dis
tricts of the city. The fact that five
cases occurred within such short pc
riod of time is strong proof that they
were not sporadic attacks of Asiatic
cholera. but were of the true epidemic
character. There can be but one ques-
ton as to it's entrance within the city;
it must have come by the way of some
of the many steamships arriving at this
port from Europe
''It is possible that it came from the
European ports not declared to be in
fected. 1t is probable that the germs
We're carried in the clothing or baggage
of some of the passengers who passed
through so1na of the cholera-striclzen
districts of Europe. This can only be
determined by tracing up the history
of those who died from the disease
IAN epidemic will not result in such
a large mortality as in the past history
of the plague when sanitary scie nee
was in crude state. With the present
knowledge of the laws of santa ton
and the facilities given to the health
authorities in conjunction with the
best medical advice in America, the dis
ease should be speedily gotten under
control.
1.-THE city Is in fairly good sanitary
condition and the board of health is
well equipped in point of money and
men to deal with the scourge under or
binary circumstances. Should the
cholera get into some of the crowded
tenements on the lower east side of the
town it would be difficult matter to
check the ravages Of the disease. The
board of health would find itself made
quate as it is at present constituted, in
the face of such a situation, to cope with
the plague.
'In the face of such O. calamity
threatening the city it is necessary for
the welfare of the country tn at all po-
itical consideration should be put aside
The cooperation of the eminent medi-
cal men of the city should be sought
and given. All should work together
with a single purpose-the welfare of
the community"
There is a suspicion that Max Vitkaft
who was stricken with symptoms of
cholera on Tuesday night and was re-
moved to Bellvue hospital, and died
there yesterday morning, was really
afflicted with the plague. If such
proves to be the case the infection has
doubtless found good breeding spot