New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-31
YELLOW FEVER'S TRAITS.
THE PECULIAR PEsTIIENCE OF TROP1-
CAL AMERICA.
HMPToMs AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. HEAVY
DEATH RATE-ApvIcE OF MARINE HosPI-
TAIL SERVICE ExPERTs-sANA-

REILrs ANTITOXIN
Although yellow fever is occasionally seen
outside Of the tropics. Its real origin is In warm
climate. Moreover. to great extent, II Is Pc
cuar to America 1t Is Indigenous to the west
Indies and the eastern coast OF Brazil. CUBA Is
q perfect hotbed for Its propagation. In the
single city OF Havana last year. according 10
Surgeon General Wyman Of the Marine Hospi-
tai Service, there were upward OF 12.OOO cases.
of which 1000 proved fatal. When II Is re-
membered that the season during which the
disease prevails is comparatively short IL VIII
be seen that this Is serious matter. When
other parts OF the island are taken into account
It is not unlikely that the deaths in Cuba from
this cause last summer numbered something
like 1000 or 5000.
But the mortality is even greater in other
Spanish-American countries. DR.. Wyman esti-
mates the deaths in Cuba on basis OF IL
per cent Of the whole number OF cases. But
Sanarelli, the young Italian who discovered the
microbe OF yellow fever two or three years ago,
says that in some OF the coast towns Of Brazil
from 80 to GO per cent OF the patients die. and
in the interior the rate often rises to ~ or ~
per cent.
Sanarelli finds that there are at least three
possible causes Of death in a case Of yellow
Characteristic Of other diseases are frequently
associated with those Of this in the bodies
of patients and he thinks that in some in
stances the yellow fever runs its course without
serious harm, and that then the microbes OF
the other malady put in their appearance ana
carry the patient off Secondly there are deaths
in consequence Of the poison produced in the
system by the bacillus Of the fever. These are
direct consequences Of the disease, OF course.
Thirdly, It often happens that enough INJURY is
done to the kidneys by the yellow fever germs TO
cause uramic poisoning.
SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE.
When it first attacks a person, yellow fever
behaves so much like some other maadies that
1t cannot be recognized with certainty Inc
patient feels weak and sore, and has no appe-
tite Perhaps he has a chill He soon shows
feverish tendency. At later stage OF the case
albuminuria and constipation are noticed. Ahd'
lner occasionally vomiting food and BILE the
patient will throw up blood that has become
black This last is usually looked upon as one
OF the most alarming signs. In order TO assist
physicians In identifying yellow fever as soon
as possible, Dr. r.. d. Murray, OF the Marine
Hospital Service lin pamphlet recently issued
by DR.. Wyman), points out several differences
between the symptoms Of this disorder and
those Of others with which 1t Is liable to be con-
founded.
Malaria Is likely TO make Itself known by
severe chill; yellow fever is often accompanied
by one SO light that It Is hardly noticed. In
the former disease a good deal Of bile is vomi;ed
and only a Little In the latter. A mild fever
known as "dengue," very common in the South
ern States, is accompanied with soreness, but
this is in the bones and joints. whereas
in yellow fever the pain Is In the
muscles In case of dengue the patient Is
restless, even In bed, but the yellow fever vic
tim is generally comfortable there, and lies
still But the latter shows disposition to get
up and 60 to work sooner than the former
although sheer weakness Is liable to send him
back to bed. Then. again, dengue has GER
tain well-defned rash between the shoulder |
blades and in the throat. Yellow fever has |
not
Dr. Guteras, OF the Marine Hospital Service
another contributor to DR.. Wymans valuable |
publication, emphasizes three symptoms OF the
genuine yellow fever First, there is the facial |
appearance Of the patient. He has yeowish |
countenance as In jaundice, and slightly blood |
shot eyes. AIbuminuria is the second indication;
and the third is a peculiar relation between the
pulse and temperature. In most fevers these |
two go up and down together, though perhaps
not at the same rate. But In this particular |
fever the temperature often rises while the
pulse goes down. For this reason Or. Murray
recommends that the attending physician should
conceal the temperature record and expatate
on the encouraging significance Of the pulse
that is, In talking to the victim. NO patient
should ever hear that his fever went above 1902 |
degrees until after he gets well. ! saved a
doctor once by hiding his thermometer and
,cip Uh