The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-17
DR.. DUNoAN's VIEWS.

research and discussion recently upon tw
lines, both equally interesting. The first i
the history Of cholera In Savannah in 1856
and she second is the present sanitary con.
ditiou OF the city with regard to an invasion
Of cholera. DR.. William Duncan, beside
being ono of the most experience,
physicians OF the city, Is also one Of th'
physicians who were practicing in Savannah
| In 1886 and who did q great deal OF work
among the cholera patients.
A MORNING NEw5 reporter called upon
DR.. Duncan yesterday afternoon. After &
! general talk upon the subject Of cholera
past and present., the doctor gave some TO-
| teresting facts in reference 60 ths disease.
| DR.. Duncan, IL will be remembered, COM
| piled the mortuary statistics OF Savannah
from Jan. l, 1854, TO Dec. 81, 1859, which
were published ia 1870. The statistics OF
cholera in Savannah in the,years 1866 '6I-oo
are given In the mortuAry tables.
These statistics show that the total mum
Der OF deaths from cholera in Savannah In
those years was 1888, Of which number 700
were colored, aud lis we're white The
deaths of whites from the disease were w
in 1886, IA In 1867, and u in 1865, The
number Of deaths among the negro popula-
| ton was 22S IN 1866. 90 In 1851. and II In
1868. It will be seen that the disease ran
through a course OF three years. This was
4
| said, that there was no quarantine against
| it and that no efforts we're made to stamp
| out the disease. In fact no particular at
tentiou was paid 10 il aud no unusual Saui
/ tary precautions were taken. Besides the
| number OF deaths in the city probably
as many more died on the rice planta-
| tons In this section.
"What is your opinion concerning the
probability of the cholera being brought to
| Savannah, and Is the prevailing alarm Of
| the people warranted by the ciroumstanoesln
| DR.. Duncan was asked.
1.-THE probability OF the advent of cholera
In our midst, of course, depends upon the
extent of its prevalence in such places as
are 10 constant and frequent intercourse
with US. l have no doubt that our sanitary
authorities will exercise every measure in
their power TO guard against It's introduce
ton, but notwithstanding the employment
OF the best known methods for preventing
its coming, it Ia still possible that the utmost
vigilance may be eluded, and the disease
may make Its appearance. Much, however,
viii depend upon the progress which the
disease may make Ia other places. If the
efforts OF the health authorities Of New
York TO prevent any spread OF the cholera
In that city are successful, and the disease
Is stamped out, the danger 70 Savannah will
be greatly diminished Of course II, on the
other hand, the disease should spread very
much 10 New York, IL Is quite probable that
10 would find It's way to Savannah.
NO GROUNDS FOR ALARM.
In regard to the prevailing alarm OF our
people !" said DIR. Duncan IL l am correctly
Informed as TO the approximations which
exist, do not think there is sufficient ground
for II. Not that would be understood as
Understanding the dangers from any
disease, which should never be done, but
the past history of cholera as Il
has prev allied In and around this city,
think that we have cause for much satis~
faction that its fatality here has not been in
to many other places, more
especially in Europe. The epidemic which
In Savannah in 1896 and 1857 was
brought here by federal troops who were
being transported to Savannah on the
steamer San Jacinto from New York in the
OF 1855. A day or two after the
stea Ier's departure from New York cholera
broke out among the troops. The steamer
was stopped at Tybes Island and the troops
were disem parked and placed in camp. The
disease continued among them with una
bated violence and demoraliEed them to
such an extent that they deserted, swan
the Lazaretto creek and sought their way
to this CITY. Many OF them died on the
way, while others developed che disease
after coming 30 Savannah, aud very sosn
its spread was more or less general
CHOLERA DEATHS IN 1866.
In the city S54 people fell victims LOG
whites, 246 oolored. during the years
1866 and 1S67-exclusive of negroes on
the rice and other plantations IN proximity
thereto, and, so far as know no prevent
i've measures whatever were exercised
against its spread in the city. The deaths
occurred principally among the lowest
classes and the negroes, who lived in
ceouydad and il-Uankiia cd n ~rkr 81
utter disregard OF hygienio surroundings.
People who took ordinary care of themselve s
as t. daily habits aud diet, seemed to enjoy
practical immunity from the disease and a
very small number of such only fell victims
probably not more than ten or twelve.
AT that time ID was pretty general opinion
that Savannah seemed 10 enjoy greater i'm
many other places Whether that fact is
due to its location upon a high bluff, abun-
dant ventilation of its dwellings or 30 what
ever cause, the opinion was sustained by the
experience of that epidemic"
docs not better knowledge of cholera
obtain now than the period 10 which you
referin
A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE DISEASE.
Undoubtedly yes; and that greater
knowledge has added greatly to the better
protection Of humanity in general. The
AAo~CNOAg Va Nh0 kCill VI CuUleTa re-
Gently by Prof. Koch of Berlin.
confirmed by other scientific Observers
its rapid multiplication under favorable cir
cumstances, and the method of invasion
greatly adds to our power 60 limit the
spread of the disease, as well without doubt,
In general to prevent It's development. il
such knowledge DO persistently, judiciously
and carefully used, While no special ads
vance has been made in a more satisfactory
treatment of cholera, the discovery OF Prof
Koch, In my judgment, has done much to
diminish the danger Of this terrible scourge u
with that statement, doctor, don't you
think the public generally should be fully
informed as to the best methods of proven.
ting of the diseasep
THE SANITARY AUTHORITIES DUTY.
Eyes, do, and have no doubt that our
Eaninary authorities will take measures to
fully inform the public if the disease should
unfortunately make its appearance. It
seems to me unwise for them 70 do so unless
there should be a certain presence of cholera
In our midst, as it might have the effect OF
frightening and alarming people, for already
there are rumors, no doubt entirely ground
less, that the disease is now here. II our
people will only entertain and manifest full
confidence in the sanitary authorities. and
feel assured that they will be promptly in
formed as to the best methods of protecting
themselves against the disease. think that
much will be ACCOMPLISHED in aIlavinO the