The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-06-03
NEW HAvFNMoRNTNG MONDAY, 1895

! because they lead the public mind tc
form lower estimate of the honor and
ability of the profession at large than II
/ deserves,
DR.. Bronson held for many years
these opinions, based upon facts that
had come within his own knowledge
and he was accustomed to say that
| Men die, but institutions livel Men
die and their histories may die with
them, Institutions livel and their rec
ords never die, but, good or bad, they
live foreverp
Thus, In the earliest periods of his
professional life, as well as on all suita-
BILE occasions later, he earnestly con-
tended for the prevalence of honest
methods Of admission to the ranks of
the profession, and urged that exami-
nations for degrees should be of such a
character, and so conducted, that a di-
ploma in medicine would pass current
everywhere as a, safe public guarantee
that its poasessor had been we'll in
structed, and was reasonably we'll quail
flied to take into his hands 1.-The care of
the public health"
The year 1892 was distinguished by
the most disastrous historical event
that has characterized any of the years
of this century, with the exception of
the years of our civil war; for 1t was In
the early summer of that year that our
continent was first visited by Asfatic
cholera
The pestilence was brought to our
shores from Dublin by an emigrant
ship arriving at Quebec, having lost on
the passage some forty persons by the
disease. The survivors made their way
to Montreal. AS rapidly as the tidings
could be spread by the fleeing people,
the disease itself was carried along all
lines of communication, until in every
habitation, from the palaces of the rich
to the novels Of the poor the angel of
death had set his seal.
At Albany, such was the confidence
felt by her citizens in DIR. Bronson's pc
cullar qualifications for the investiga-
ton of abstruse questions in medical
science, and such was the impression
he had made upon that critical commu-
nifty, as a man of distinguished ability,
that he was commissioned by several
prominent gentlemen, at whose head
was the mayor, and directed to proceed
to Montreal and other points in Canada
infected with the pestilence, and avail
Ing himself of every opportunity to
study the natural history of the dis
ease-its modes of propagation-its
treatment in the north, together with
Its results, and to report to the commit
tee also, such hygienic measures as he
would recommend as reliable proven
tives.
Inspired by profound sense Of his
moral obligations to Cod and to his fell
low-men, he promptly accepted this
call to duty; and bidding farewell to
his young wife, and to all he held dear,
he took his life in his hand and hast
ened to the death-stricken city that he
might gather there new knowledge Of
an unknown and deadly pestilence for
the benefit of his race.
quote of the Montreal papers of the
day Of his arrival there, that the brig
Carricks, Hudson, master, arrived at
Quebec from Dublin on the 9th, having
lost during her voyage forty-two per
sons of a mysterious disease which af-
ter due investigation had been pro-
nounced to be Asatic cholera and the
disease is now officially reported as ex-
isting in Quebec, where fifteen cases
were reported on the 9th, and several
deaths.
DIR. Bronson's first letter announcing
his arrival was short, and was dated
Montreal, June 21st,-he says, II have
now only time to say that I arrived
here this morning. Such a scene of
desoIation as this city exhibits l never
Business is entirely sus-
pended; the stores are closed and the
streets deserted Although this is a
HOLIDAY with the Catholics, scarcely a |
human face is to be seen abroad.
The mortality in Montreal by the |
present disease is unexampled even in |
The history of the epidemic cholera. The |
number of cases officially reported is |
about 5000, and the number of deaths |
At about 800. Many of the physi- |
clans, owing to sickness and excessive |
1verwork, did not report at all on some |
If the most fatal days. Besides a |
great many have died whom no physi- |
ian ever saw. The disease is now cyl |
within the last twelve hours. |
within the last forty-eight hours,
a much greater proportion OF
hose attacked have been of the higher
riders and those of temperate and reg
liar habits. Some very valuable lives
we're lost last night +" / am
low about to visit the migrants hos
,ital where numbers lie i'll of the worst
orm of the epidemic" This short let
er will afford some idea of the actual
in such a crowded city as
under the invasion of univer-
al pestilence. During the prevalence
# the epidemic and it's progress
through our continent, the important
act was observed that the inmates of
risons in this country and in Europe,
Who were absolutely cut off from con-
act with the outside world, We're en-
rely exempt from the disease.
l was myself old enough to remember
he fact that so fully was the condi-
ion of isolation accepted as the only
preventive means possible against the
holera infection that in many instances
zen of the highest intelligence stood
n guard over their domains, prepared
} fire upon all intruders; while pla-
ards and watch dogs served as addi-
onal defences. But in their own fam
les no deviation from the accustomed
lles Of diet, including the use Of fresh
'uits and vegetables from their own
ardens, was permitted. For those |
-ho lived sensibly no change In diet or