The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-17

Whatthe Southern Papers Say ofthe breads
fnl Dlsehse

ful Disease.
Sometimes the Almighty sends n pesu-
lonce. but some epidemics are invited by
the people who are their victims. IN
this age OF advanced science there is not
the slightest excuse for an epidemic OF
yellow fever or smallpox In any city
I'm the United States. A few cases of
either disease may occur, but when
community is properly regulated and
kept in good sanitary condition the pla-
que cannot spread, and IS speedily stamp
ed out.
The prevalence Of such epidemics is a
crime. and somebody is responsible.
Either the officials or the people back Of
them fail TO do their duty when cities
and towns have filth within their borders
which not only invites pestilence but
sometimes breeds II. crime against
the public health IS a very serious thing.
it destroys the lives Of innocent persons
and checks the progress and develop
ment of cities. towns and whole states
Birmingham Age-Herald.
One swallow does not make a summer,
and one case Of yellow fever does not
make an epidemic. The physicians have
taken all possible precautions since the
discovery Of the only case OF the fever
announced as existing I'm this city. There
should not be any spread Of the infec-
ton. or course, we are 10 suffer an
the rigors OF quarantine. the same as II
the city were overwhelmed with the
fever. but this was 20 be expected il
the fever were declared existing here,
and Il cannot be helped. We may hope,
however that as there Is but one case,
the disease may be kept from spreading
and that the quarantine may soon come
puf MohfIa RDofefor
The people Of Montgomery are not ex-
cited. There are intensely interested, Of
course. and while feeling deepest SYM
pathv for cities and places that have been
visited by disease. are sustaining the au-
thorities I'm their efforts 20 keep it from
this place. This IS natural In view Of the
close association between here and Mobile
and New orleans.
II Is well TO recall the fact that only
once IN nearly fifty years has there been
a case OF yellow fever in Montgomery, and
that was tWenty-fOur years ago. Then
the disease. as it afterwards developed,
first appeared on the Goth day Of August,
1873. in the western part OF the city. and
about the same date I'm the eastern. In
each case the party came from o yellow
fever infected place without any knowl-
edge of that fact on the part Of the au-
thoritlas. In fact then there was no
quarantine against Pensacola where the
fever was prevailing. 1t was slow In pro-
gress here. and not until the latter part
OF September. nearly five weeks after the
first case. was It sufficiently defined 10 be
declared an epidemic Then Montgomery
had no sewer system OF protection. There
was no splendid artesian water here, and
good sewerage, and good water constitute
the great defence IN battle against dis
ease. We have both now, and. in addi-
ton, a city that Is comparatively a clean
one. The city is remarkably healthy. and
scarcely q case q serious sickness among
all its population. There is no reason.
therefore, for any alarm on tho part Of
our people. They should 90 on in the even
tenor OF their way, pursuing their usual
vocations. resting satisfied that every pos
sible effort will be made TO protect their
health andw ard off the dread visitor
Montgomery Advertiser
A considerable spread Of the fever in
New Orleans may be expected. now that
a foothold has been established there.
True, the most thorough and intelligent
work Is being done In the way Of isola-
ton and fumigation. and these will
doubtless prove valuable. But there
are uncomfortable elements for the in
crease OF the Infection, which warrants
the added rigidity Of quarantine pre-
cautions Vlcksburg has applied and will
maintain There is no show Of panic
certainly none on the part Of the authOri-
ties. There Is. OF course, q good deal
Of supposed alarm and excitement, and
a good many citizens are preparing 20
move their families beyond the yellow
fever range. This is perhaps wisest under |
the circumstances The stay away can
not be very long, at worst.-Nicksburg |
Herald
Commenting on the fact that Atlanta |
has thrown her gates open and invites all ,
refugees from the fever districts 10 come |
in. the Macon telegraph says:
May God save the people Of Georgia |
from the danger thus courtedi
yellow fever Is a strange disease. Those |
physicians who have had the largest ex-
perience. and who have given II the |
closest study will all agree that each cpl |
demic presents II IN new and battling |
phase. II was said that II could not exist |
IN .s- ninA- woAd@ This has hAan dIs-