The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-10-27
Epidemic.

If it begins early IN a colnniuni'S'
climatic influences retard its spread,
and it progresses slowly until favora-
BILE conditions supervene, when 1t
branches suddenly into additional ex-
istence. 1t reaches it's average, how
ever, before tits over. Again, it may
begin later and develop it's cycle rap
idly and within few weeks of its in
ception. present the characteristics Of
previous outbreak at the same
period. That is, will occupy the same
area and strike the same average.
"Frost is usually the only thing
which brings an outbreak to close.
Lack of material will do the same
thing, and sometimes the cycle of the
fever will run itself and leave the
community free of disease while frost
is still absent and plenty of material
on the ground. This is one of its
vagaries. It will be remembered that
during the epidemic at Cairo in 1878
the worst period Of the outbreak was
after the 1st Of October, and after the
first frosts Of that month. October is
a month, I speak plainly, when the
fever continues to make progress.
The cool nights have no effect upon
the complaint if frost is absent, and
with the approach of the frosts--that
is, colder weather-the mortality in
creases. It matters not that the
temperature in the, sick chamber be
kept TO the same degree. There is a
factor in the climatic change which
we do not understand, but which in
variably makes the fever more nlafig-
nanS.
"Yellow fever is better understood,
however, than during our previous-sn and
!! worst visitations, and the mortality
- Z. ~ F. r e. ~
table showed a greater percentage.
Patients were sweated to death. Now,
if I were called in, I am not sure that
I would order even hot foot bath.
"A sedlitz powder, dose Of castor oil or
mild powder of,calomel, eithef would
do for a purgative, and then, the pa
tient covered with a single blanket,
I would permit the fever to take its
course, prescribing careful attention
and nursing, ice water in small guam
titles or Clipped ice when desired,
with other quieting drinks, always in
small portions. / do not think |
would give feyer-reducipg medicines,
because the yellow is fever which
has its duration, and is not affected
nor lessened by remedial agents given
70 lower the temperature Of the pa5i-
I ent. Possibly dose Of phenscetine
OF antipyrine to give the sutfererra a
comfortable night by reducing the
painsin back and head. But it is
probable that this one dose would be
the only one, as a frequent use of
these medicines affect the heart seri.
ously, and this is to be avoided. What
is to be looked after are complications.
Here is where the physician is sble TO
do the greatest good, and By prompt
treatment accomplish much. Whise
the treatment Of yellow fever is really
very simple, and the services Of a
medical man frequently dispensed
with, The patient progressing without
complications and recovering under
careful and experienced nursing, the
services Of physician should always
be secured, and in the inception Of the
complaint, that proper diagnosis be
made and system Of disinfeetion
carried on which may save other ILL
ness.
"In regard to the spread Of the
fever in this city, in view Of the fact
that the infection has been retarded
by the local authorities and all foci Of
infection quarantined and sanitated,
the new cases nearly occurring in diff
ferent localities, | can only express
my opinion. Ishould judge that there
must have been several cases Of the
4 fever which were brought here or de-
veloped here, and were unrecogaized
prior to its discovery at Ocean Springs
This, coupled to its coming of large
number of persons from the coast
resort, would give sufficient reason for
the spread of the disease, although,
following so soon after the Ocean
Springs fever had been announced,
I am inclined to believe that the fever
must have been imported before the
Official announcement on the coast.
'This would explain the carriage of
infection to all parts of the city, be-
cause it is evident that there can be
no connection between the reported
oocoe ond tboCo ronorto o1 Lotto. n,yo