Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-17
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER II. 1892.
Wise Praonntion.

The movement being made bv the city
authorities to prevent the cholera from
reaching Richmond If possible and TO treat
1t successfully il in spite of all such efforts
ID does reach US Is wise and commendable.
II is the sort of wisdom that is practiced
BY the soldier who does not wait until he
is face to face with the enemy before he
loads his musket OF fills his cartridge-box.
1t is precaution which will give conf
dence 10 the public and most likely prove
o safeguard against panic. III case OF
cholera occurs here 1t will be treated by
experienced physicians and the sufferer
will be isolated from contact with
other members of the community,
and, meanwhile. when the very best
of health prevails in the city, we are
20 pay special attention 60 those localities
and that class which experience teaches us
invite and disseminate the disease.
The Board Of Health of New York in its
recent circular embodIes the best informa-
tion obtainable as to what is needful to
keep one free Of cholera. 1t Is, in sub
stance, warning against injudicious eat
ing and drinking and against unclean-
know that we have here in Richmond
class which is neither clean nor careful in
any respect. Over these people we must
set q watch, and those of them who can
not pay for city water should have 1t free
of charge. In this matter we cannot af-
ford TO be illiberaI. The tenacity with
which cholera chung to certain localities
in 1866 was attributed to lack Of water
and absence OF proper sewerage. Since
then we have spent millions OF dollars IN
sewers and improvement of the water sup
ply. aud now Is the time to make both
useful.
The presence of violent cholera NOR
bus A" in Richmond in 1856 was publicly ad-
mitted for the first time on August 18th of
that year, and the disease, which was
really Asiatic cholera, died out by October
2lst. There were $50 cases reported during
that time-95 whites. l2j colored. or
these 70 recovered and 100 proved fatal.
In 81 cases the result was not given. Only
cases were put down as those of chill
dren.
The disease was probably brought to
Richmond in 1856 by a company of United
States soldiers sent here from Newport
Barracks near Cincinnati. 1t appeared al
most simultaneously among the soldiers OF
Camp Grant (Harvietown) and among the
colored people in Cottage Row on tie
banks of Shockoe Creek near the city Jail.
Up 70 September 9Th there had been
Is cases at Camp Grant. of which II proved
fatal. The troops were soon afterwards
l. t., ,to~ 81, tc,x md
the disease was choked out after consid-
cradle number of them had died. Seven
teen soldiers died at Stuart Hospital,
which stood near the centre of what Is now
Monroe Park. The city had cholera hos
pital not far distant from Monroe Park and
in a building which had formerly been
used by the Coufederates as a military
hospital.
The cholera was managed here very we'll
in 1866, in spite of the fact that the hush
policy" prevailed for some time. and that
the public purse was very slowly and re-
luctantly unclasped. The members Of the
Board OF Health-Drs. HANCOCK, CABELL,
and w. II. TAYLoR-were very energetic,
aud personally attended many of the VIC
tins until hospital accommodations could
be secured for them. and the United States
military authorities rendered them service
OF great value.
The costly mistakes Of that year were in
failing TO promptly realize the presence of
cholera, aud In neglecting to spend money
when money would have done us the
greatest good.
Remember this.