The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-13
NO LOCAL CAUSE.
THE PHYSICIANS MEETING AT
THE CITY EXCHANGE.

They Discuss Sanitary Conditions, But
Are Unable to Designate Any
Specific Cause for Mslarial Fevers
Facts Introduced by Health Oficsr
Drummer Showing That the Number
of Cases of Fever and Deaths From
Previous Years and Less Than for
Other Cities.
The conference of physicians called by
Mayor McDonouRh to consult about i'm
proved sanitary measures for the city de-
veloped one fact yesterday and that was
that Savannah on the whole is a pretty
healthy city and that while there have been
some cases Of fever recently the situation
has been grossly exaggerated.
ORIGIN OF THE NoToRIETY.
This was explained by some OF the ply
sicians present by the fact that people more
or less prominent in the city had been at
tackled by fever and that thus an unusual
prominenoe had been given to these cases
and the report had been noised abroad that
fevers were alarmingly prevalent
In Savannah. There seems TO be
very little ground for these reports,
and statistics submitted by DR.. Drummer,
the health officer. showed that in past years
there bad been many more deaths from
fever than during the present year. In 1890
there were las deaths from fevers; there
were 127 last year, and only 119 up DO date
this year, of which only % have been
classed as typhoid. He showed that 10
Atlanta last year there were 119
cases OF typhoid. Macon and Augusta
Savannah. This shows no alarming In
Grease, and the physicians, while admitting
shat there was fever in the city, most en-
phatically denounced reports already cir
culated as being ridiculously exaggerated,
and that there was absolutely not the
slightest cause for any alarm whatever.
THOSE WHO WE'RE PREsENT.
Tbs meeting yesterday was a representa-
present: Drss Drummer, Duncan, Stone,
Nichols. May, Falligant, LeHardy,
Bulloch, Elliott, Jarrsll. Davis, Johnston,
Harris White, Comm Charlton,
5ilverman, Brandt, Mayor McDonough,
Aldermen Charlton. Haines, Cam, Dixon
and Capt Wheaton, Col ]. R. Sheldon and
J. r. Saussy Of the sanitary board.
After some discussion the mayor was
elected chairman and Mr.. Frank E. Reborer,
secretary. The mayor stated the object Of
tbe meeting to be TO consider the sanitary
condition OF the city and the suggestion Of
any improvements. The question of the
health Of the city first came up and DR..
Drummer gave the statistics of deaths from
fevers since 1888. Besides the years already
mentioned, IL was shown that in 1856 there
were 1874 deaths and in 1887 121 from fever
and no particular attention was paid to
them.
OPINIONS OF TIE DOCTORS.
But as exaggerated reports as TO the num-
Der of cases in the city had been circulated, |
on m ban
some length. To one outside OF the pro-
feasiou is would be hard TO decide between
the various opinions Of the DOCTORS Bone
held that there Was more typhoid fever |
now than for the past year or two, while |
Others held that there was nothing |
more than continued fsvers" pre-
valent with some typhoid symptoms
Others, still, held that IL was /
nothing more than malaria. They all /
agreed, however, that there was absolutely
nothing alarming In the situation. IL was
commended by some that q true case Of
typhoid never originated in Savannah, but
DIR. Duncan stated that in bis experience as |
physician In this city he had seen some
cases that undoubtedly originated here
The discussion about fevers assumed |
very scientific aspect and a description OF |
causes, symptoms, etc, was deliberately
entered into and discussed. much TO the /
editication doubtless of those present, but
that OF course, had nothinRespecially TO do /
with local conditions.
DR.. FALLIGANT ON HOUSE DRAINAGE.
This discussion naturally brought out the |
topic OF sanitation. DR.. Falligant thought |
that house drainage was very deficient, and |
until this was remedied IL would be almost |
useless to do much else Drs. Johnston and |
Brandt thought the house drainage was bad, |
and also condemned the upturning Of the |
soil, the laying of oyster shells on the
streets and throwing Of slops in catch
basins
DR.. LeHardy thought the flushing Of the
sewers was all right, but spoke very strongly
against the county commissioners In being
remiss In draining the swamps about the
city.
County Attorney Saussy said that he
knew that the county commissioners had
done and were doug ali in their power 70
make the drainage perfect. DIR. Drummer
made the same statement
DIR. White referred to the way the Sa-
vannah river could be polluted IN the absence
Of heavy rains.
Drs. May, Stone, Nichols, Bulloch, Har-
ris, Elliott and Charlton all gave their
views as 90 the needs OF the hour They
differed as to the cause of sickness, attribut-
ang 1t 20 water, TO upturning of the soil, to
oyster shells. drainage, etc. They thought
most of the cases were malaria with slight
typhoid symptoms, but even that had de-
creased and there had been few deaths
The mayor and aldermen, with all this
array OF learning on the subjecs, received
some valuable suggestions. even If the doc
tors could not definitely assign any local
cause for what sickness there has been.
THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING.
The whole matter was disposed of after
three hours and thirty minutes of discussion
by the adoption Of the following resolutions
Introduced by DIR. Duncan:
WHEREAs. After full and free discussion of
the medical gentlemen, by invitation OF his
honor the mayor, concerning the questioned q
better preservation of the public health; and
WHEREAS. We are of the opinion that an ex-
aggerated idea now prevails in regard to q
greater extent OF fevers-malarial and typhoid
than 10 former years: and
WHEREAS. We cannot assign any local cause
for the existence Of these fevers; be II there-
fore
Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to
his honor the mayor and the sanitary au-
thorities the Observance of the best known sani.
tary measures for the still better preservation
of the public health, such measures as thorough
drainage, flushing OF sewers. removal Of priYy
vaults. etc, etc.
THE SAVANNAH SMALL BOY.