Year: 1867

:
large number of medical gentlemen and students,
on the origin, nature and treatment of yellow fever
which disease the doctors extensive experience and
high reputation render him excellent authority Dr.
stone is native of Massachusetts, this, we think, Is
| an error. DR.. Stone. is we believe native of New
| Hampshire-Eds. 1ntelligencer. and a graduate OF
Berkshire Medical College, but since 1888 he has re-
sided in New Orleans and has for many years been
regarded as the leading surgeon of the South. lie
now holds the position of Professor of Surgery in the
Medical College at New Orleans, connected with the
| University of Louisiana


DR.. Stone was introduced by Professor Austin Tiut
and after graceful acknowledgment of the kind re-
ception he had met in the city, which he had not Wis
tied for years previously he took up the subject
| of yellow fever, in which he said there were many
points open for discussion. 1t disease peculiar
to warm lattudes, but its limits could not be defined
by any exact temperature or climatic conditions, Tor
exceptions would frequently occur to alslfy any such
restriction. Nothing definite could be said than
that it disease incident to warm climates and
induced by peculiar poison totally intangible and
disconnected from any known causes OF disease There
was no combination of filth, combination OF clrcum-
Stances calculated to detcrlorate health and excite
typhoid or tvphs fevers that had anything to do with
the generation of yellow fever This remarkable fact
was not generally known. Some Federal officers had
taken credit to themselves for keeping yellow fever
ont Of New Orleans during their occupation ot that
city; but it notorious fact that the city not
cleaner then in the suburbs and low regions than 1t
had often been before. The weather happened to be
cooler and there less rain but there was no ma
teriaI difference in any other respect. They had had
six years of exemption previously, when there was no
quarantine whatever. Yellow fever fixed upon high
and healthy localities, and proved vruent there as
in the low regions. The Magnolia ridges, back Of
New Orleans of the healthiest regions III the
world, yet the yellow fever proved quite as destructive
there in less favored regions. Indeed the disease
was always violent in the country, when it once
prevailed there than in cities.


In regard to the anthology causes of yellow fever
there had been much dispute. II had been a question
whether was imported or of local origin 1t certain
ly was not imported in ships The epidemic influence
was waited through the atmosphere i'll waves or cycles
and always made gradual and regular approaches; so
that III New Orleans they knew when it was coming
by its prevalence III the islands IN the Gull IN the
year 1851 it began in Brazil, and after passing over
the northern part Of South America and the West In
iia islands, it reached New Orleans in 1853. In 1853
it had travelled far Memphis, and was severe In
many of the interior town Its history in New Orleans
the present year remarkable. 1t first appeared III
mid form, and in several places at once, in June,
and though the weather favorable to its spread, it
did increase in intensity, and only about nine cases
occurred per week. These cases evidently originated
in the city. But later in the season fresh wave
approached from the direction of Mexico appearing
in violent form in Indianola, Galveston and New
IBERIA and lastly in New Orleans, where it appeared
in severe FORM and in increasing ratio, though the
weather was of the kind considered unavorabe to its
propagation.


This was the general history Of the disease. It fixed
upon place and ran its course increasing in detl-
mite ratio declining in the way, and finally diSap
pearng, but for the time being affecting all who were
exposed to its influence. 1t true, however, that
debility and other rendered some persons
much more susceptible than Others to the peculiar
poison but this the case with all diseases


The question Of its contagousness was Of great i'm
portance and which ought be settled both for the
of from the dSel and s plId-
ance in the matter of quarantine 81 am perfectly
convinced" said the Doctor, "bcyond all doubt or
hesitaton that personally it not contagious; know
that it is not" # the disease contagious once it
would always be So for it the disease in all
places 1t was a specific disease, and the same person
had it but once acclinatiou perpetual but it was
very hard to convince the human. understanding
where There were exceptions to these rules there
were to those governing small pox He had observed,
honestly at least if closely, and the result of his
observations had led him believe yellow fever
contagious.


In 1888 he arrived in New Orleans and went into
the Charity Hospital on duty. The hospital became
ul and there great scarcity OF help 1t became
filthy The passages were often filled with bed sacks
covered with excremcnt and black yomit, so that Il
sort of typhoid fever gcncratcd yet the persons
employed there escaped yellow fever, and he did not
have it himself until late in the season, after these
conditions had been removed.


In 1858 he had an infrmary in which were three





Sisters of Charity, all of whom unacclmated, yet
they were the very last to get the disease, because the
atmospheric influence did not prevail where the hos
ptal was situated In 1917, in 1853 and 1854 and
in 1859, the experience had been substantially the
same. In 1S49 some forty cases OF yellow fever were
placed in the Charity Hospital among number of
other patients, who were unaccimated, and though a
large number of the forty died, not q solitary new
case occurred in the house. Cases were constantly
occurring of persons who went into infected districts
took the disease taken to unlniected regions,
treated and nurscd, and vet no took the disease
from them. In 1856 and 1857 yellow fever Of Sc
we're character prevailed in New Orleans, but was
strictly confined six squares. No intercourse with
vessels had taken place. and it evident the disease
had originated there In the country the Doctor had
made diligent inquiries, and with the same result 1t
did not spread from person to person. 1t was quite
possible that quantity Of the poisoned atmosphere
might be conveyed in the hold OF ship to distant
places and that persons breathing that atmosphere
might have disease but they could not impart it to
Others Just how much air would suffice to render
the fever portable, it impossible to ascertain.


The disease itself varied i'll the mode OF attack. The
most favorable those where it ushered
in at once with the prominent symptoms which con-
sisted Of 1igor followed Immediately with pains in
the limbs back, and head, with heat OF the skin, and
fever But many Of the cases insidous, and the
patient continued up and about complaining Of pain
lin the limbs and a chilly feeling. The disease was
progressing all this time, and the physician was not
likely to see the patient until it was too late to do
anythng 1t for this that more violent at
tacks were really favorable to ultimate recovery
than the mldcr cases. The mild cases just as
sure to kill as any other, if they were neglected. Al
most all cases would prove fatal unless the patient
properly managed and kept quiet. Ia the we-malked
cases there was rigor, pains in the head, back and
limbs and sometimes peculiar capillary engorge-
ment, particularly in the eye. If the patient is placed
in bed at once with little assistance he breaks into
A sweat as in common intermittent fever. This gives
some relief but not much. The pains continue but
if the case is favorable it will so until the sweating
and heat subsde together at the end Of three days
The patient must be kept perfectly quiet, and if he is
then nourshed he will have return of the suffering.
He must not even be allowed to raise his head If he
gets up a faintness coDses over him, and the whole
process is often renewed with the addition of
and loahng of food. Ii this case he almost certainly
dies This is the history of favorable cases. Purga-
tiyes are not essential aud may do much harm. a
mild dose of oil may be given if there is anything in
the stomach likely to terment and prove irritating.
simple injection may prove useful. If patients are
seen ia the beginning, the doctor gave them,
as perspiration began full dose of quinine. There
was no doubt cf its good effect in queting pains and
promoting perspiratlon. Sometimes second dose
was ad, isable the following morning. This all
that could be done beyond regulating the drink and
nourishment. There was nothing more to do. There