Evening star., 1898-08-10

were more free from attack than those who
observed every sanitary precaution. and
whose homes were surrounded by attract
I'VE laws through which the purifying air
from the Gulf Of Mexico was constantly
blowing
The truth Of the matter is that the rnedt-
cal profession is as much in the dark about
yellow fever as the humblest layman. We
know nothing, We discourse learuedly and
we talk in our conventions as il we had
the disease, Its symptoms. causes and cure
at our finger tips. We have nothing of the
KIND. There is not theory 1 have ever
formed about yellow fever which has not
been utterly destroyed by subsequent ex-
perience. Today ] am at sea, and SO is
every other physician, who will look facts
squarely in the face. We know that a
vrulent fever comes, that people die in
great numbers, and then we hold a consult
tation. The result is usually that we de-
clare yellow fever to be among us. This
year, for example. down at McHenry, Miss.
near New Orleans. there were twauty-four
cases of yellow fever. yet not a Jeath oc-
CURED. Was it really yellow fever? We
do not know, and it will never be known
IF Gen. Skaters reports are accurate,
and of this there is little doubt, 20 per cent
OF his force have fcver of some sort. II II
is really yellow fever and the death rate
is only per cent, / do not know but that
| should advise the retention of the troops
In that neighborhood. There never was a
better time to have the yellow fever than
just now If the conditions OF recovery are
so favorable. I think New Orleans would
enjoy visitation upon such terms 70 n
crease her crop of immunes.
Immunes That Are Not So.
Speaking of immunes reminds me that
there has been no greater fraud and farce
in this war than The organization of the
so-called immune regiments One was
gathered together in our state on a hap
hazard plan of enlistment. and the result
W. har ma IN hal
ever had the yellow fever. More than 100
of the fmmunes' were recruited in Cincin.
rati, where yellow fever has never been
known to exist, and the plains of Texas,
equally free from any suspicion of the
disease. furnished 200 more. Yet this regi-.
ment is now on board a transport bound
for Santiago to act a a garrison for the
town, and the authorities fondly imagine
they have men who are bomb-pro against
yellow jack. The thing would be laugh
able if il were not serious.
I'VE have a new board of health in New
Orleans, and its work seems to be thor
ough in every way. At all events this is
August IL, and we have had no yellow
fever in the city, though everybody pre-.
dicted return of the fever the result
of last years experience. The winter was
mild, and the germs Were believed TO ba
lurking around somewhere ready to devour
us. But they have kept in hiding thus far
and we now feel little fear.
Talking of germs reminds me that the
nlSher Inellcal authorities seem 10 pret-
ty well agreed that yellow fever is a germ,
or bacillus, disease. How these germs or
bacilli are transmitted from man to man,
from house to house. is not yet known.
nor will il ever be- The most plausibls
tt cory is that the atmosphere blows them
from point to point. Certain it is that yel-
low fever has appeared in spots where only
atmospheric transfer could explain tina
prevalence of the disease. But j said
before, no physician can speak with
thority upon this point, for We are only
guessing when We talk of yellow fever in
any of its phases.
Anxious mothers and fathers with sons
down at Santiago need give themselves nd
special concern If the disease retains its
present mild form. An epidemic of dysen-
terry or measles would be far more fatal
than the prevailing fever and as the troOps
must, in the nature of things, have some
physical ailments, the so-called fever is this
least harmful of any that can be suggest.
ed. Yellow fever is not a curse when thd
death rate is only per cent.