the number of cases of yellow fever admitted into this hospital from
Jan. 1, 1822, to Jan. 1, 1844, with the dates of the first and last
cases each year, with the discharges and deaths, constituting a term
of twenty-two years.
TABLE.
Year. First Case. Last Case. Adm'd. Dis'g'd. Died.
1822 Sept. 3. Dec. 31. 349 98 239
1823 Sept. 11. 1 1
1824 Aug. 4. Nov. 13. 167 59 108
1825 June 23. Dec. 19. 94 40 59
1826 May 18. Nov. 18. 26 19 5
1827 July 17. Dec. 5. 372 263 109
1828 June 19. Dec. 10. 290 160 130
1829 May 23. Nov. 29. 435 220 215
1830 July 24. Nov. 29. 256 139 117
1831 June 9. Oct. 7. 3 1 2
1832 Aug. 15. Oct. 25. 26 8 18
1833 July 17. Nov. 17. 422 212 210
1834 Aug. 28. Nov. 22. 150 55 95
1835 Aug. 24. Nov. 27. 505 221 284
1836 Aug. 24. Oct. 25. 6 1 5
1837 July 13. Nov. 28. 998 556 442
1838 Aug. 25. Nov. 1. 22 5 17
1839 July 23. Nov. 17. 1086 634 452
1840 July 9. 3 3
1841 Aug. 2. Dec. 8. 1113 520 594
1842 Aug. 4. Nov. 26. 410 214 211
1843 July 10. Dec. 31. 1053 609 487
---- ---- ----
Total Number, 7787 4034 3803
A discrepancy of 50 4034
---- ----
7837 7837
"This discrepancy between the number of admittances, discharges, and
deaths," say the editors, "arises from the fact that a good many cases
of yellow fever occur, after the patients are admitted into the
hospital for other diseases--and some remain to be treated for other
diseases, long after having been cured of yellow fever; and, it may
be, that some cases are not noted upon the hospital books at all." The
proportion of deaths is accounted for by the exposed state of the
patient before admission. In private practice they do not average one
death to ten.
The absence of quarantine regulations in New Orleans, is often
remarked by strangers. Acts of legislation have been passed at
different times, establishing laws for the protection of the city,
which proved of but little service, owing, it is generally admitted,
to their not being carried out as it is now known they should have
been to test their efficacy, consequently they soon fell into disuse.
Much able, and it would seem unanswerable argument has been employed,
to prove that this scourge of tropical climates is not contagious;
yet, Dr. Carpenter, an eminent and learned member of the medical
profession of this city, with great research, has tracked it through
all its secret channels of communication, by which at different
periods it has been introduced.
The recent able essay of Dr. Hort, read before the Physico-Medical
Society of this city, and the proceedings and resolutions of that
body, had in reference to it, with equal conclusiveness show it to be
endemic, or of local origin, and not an imported or contagious
disease.
When such eminent "doctors disagree" what shall the unlearned and
uninitiated do?--we are surely in a dilemma, and hardly know on which
horn to hang our own humble judgment--but it would really appear that
with a sanitary system, commending itself to the more cautious views
of the Atlantic cities, an advantage would be gained, that would far
more than balance any diminished trade of our neighbors in the Gulf.
Are there not also, many hundreds of active, intelligent, business
making citizens, who now fly to the North on the first approach of the
sickly season, who, with such guards faithfully maintained about them,
would remain through the summer? and are there not thousands more in
various parts of the country, who, inspired with confidence by the
existence and maintenance of a system of measures which _they_ deem
essential to the preservation of the health and lives of the citizens,
would throng to our metropolis as the most inviting field of
enterprise, and thus multiply our numbers and enlarge our business far
more rapidly than it can, or will be done under the present system?
If in making these suggestions it should be supposed that we have
"defined our position," we shall shelter ourselves under "the
generally received opinion," "the prevailing fears of the
community"--and the prudential measures of other cities.
[Illustration: MAISON DE SANTE]
MAISON DE SANTE
This noble edifice, emphatically the house of the stranger, was built
in 1839, and opened in August of the same year. The full and complete
success of the enterprise is written in the grateful memories of the
thousands of patients who have resorted to it in the hour of sickness
and danger. The prices required secure to every sick person more than
the attention and comforts of the house of his childhood. Not a doubt
need to cross his mind but that all which science, and the most
devoted care can effect, will be done for him; he only goes there to
get well, if it be possible in the nature of his case. The names of
the attending physicians, Doctors Stone, Kennedy and Carpenter, are a
sufficient guaranty for the respectability of this establishment.
CIRCUS STREET INFIRMARY
This institution, situated between Poydras and Perdido streets, was
established by Doctors Campbell and Mackie, in July, 1841. It is
neatly furnished, and offers all the comforts and advantages of a
private house to the invalid. No contagious diseases are admitted, and
kind and skilful nurses are furnished.
THE FRANKLIN INFIRMARY
Is situated in the Fauxbourg Franklin, in Champs Elysees street,
fronting the Pontchartrain rail-road, and about two miles from the
city. It is a private hospital, founded by Dr. C. A. Luzemburg. The
building, although not large, is accommodated with several out houses,
and the grounds are spacious and pleasant.
[Illustration: THE UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL]
THE UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL
Situated at Macdonough, opposite New Orleans, occupies a square,
measuring three hundred and fifty feet each way, which is enclosed by
a good substantial fence, intended, eventually, to give place to an
iron railing. The edifice measures, in front, one hundred and sixty
feet, by seventy eight deep--from the rear of which two adjuncts
extend fifty feet further back, leaving sufficient room between them
for a spacious court, immediately behind the centre of the main
building.
The whole is laid off into three stories. It is fifty feet from the
ground to the eaves, and one hundred and thirty-five to the top of the
flag-staff, which surmounts the belvidere. It is built in the Gothic
style; and was designed by Mondele and Reynolds, who were the original
contractors. It was commenced in 1834, but for want of the necessary
appropriations by the government, the work was suspended, and has gone
so much to ruin, that it will require $20,000 to repair the damage.
James H. Caldwell, Esq., has contracted for the completion of this
work. The building, when finished and furnished for receiving
patients, will cost $130,000. It will accommodate two hundred and
sixty nine persons. The grounds, tastefully laid out, are to be
embellished with shrubbery. As seen from the Mississippi, or from a
distance, this structure presents a very majestic appearance. It
stands in a healthy position, elevated and dry; and from its great
height, commands a complete view of the river, city, surrounding
country, and a whole forest of masts--affording to poor Jack at once a
delightful and a busy prospect, that must have a great tendency to
cheer the hours of his convalescence.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
[Illustration: THE MUNICIPAL HALL]
THE MUNICIPAL HALL
This edifice, when completed, will be one of the noblest public
buildings of the Second Municipality. It is to occupy the corner of
Hevia and St. Charles streets, facing the westerly side of Lafayette
Square, a site selected particularly on account of its conspicuous and
airy position. Its grand entrance ranges along the latter thoroughfare
90 feet, running back upon the former 208, and presenting an altitude
of 54 feet to the eaves, displaying two bold stories above a basement
of 11 feet ceiling. This lower apartment is intended for the
accommodation of the military, and the police and watch departments.
It is intersected from end to end by a corridor twelve, and across, in
the centre, by one of fourteen feet wide, the latter giving room for a
double flight of stairs, which ascend to the upper story. The same
division of passage ways is observed on each floor.
The grand entrance from St. Charles street, is by a flight of eighteen
blue Quincy-granite steps, of which material the principal front is
constructed. At the top of these, at an elevation of fourteen feet, is
a platform extending along the whole front, twenty-five feet deep,
sustaining, by a range of six pillars in front, and four in the rear,
a massy pediment, all of which is of Ionic Grecian construction, and
in good keeping with the main fabric. On entering the corridor through
this portico, on the right hand, is an apartment seventy-five by
thirty-five feet, and, like all the others on this floor, eighteen
feet in the ceiling, appropriated to the library of the School Lyceum.
In the rear of this, on the same side, are four others for public
offices and courts, as are also those on the opposite direction.
Ascending to the third story, in front is the great hall, sixty-one by
eighty-four feet, and twenty-nine in the ceiling, set apart for the
School Lyceum. Immediately in front of this, is a central platform,
advancing between two side rooms, over which are two others, similar,
all four of which are intended for the accommodation of the apparatus,
necessary for this new institution.
The main room is furnished with galleries on three sides, arranged in
the best manner for the convenience of scholars and spectators. The
rooms in the rear, like those in the story below, are devoted to
public offices.
The walls of this building are to be based upon granite, and the
residue of white marble, after the Grecian Ionic order. The whole will
cost about $120,000.
THE CITY PRISONS
These edifices are built of brick, and plastered to imitate granite,
they are three stories in height, occupying one hundred and twenty
three feet on Orleans and St. Ann streets, by one hundred and
thirty-eight feet nine inches between them. They are two in number,
and divided by a passage way that is closed to the public. The
principal building has its main entrance from Orleans street, through
a circular vestibule, closed by strong iron doors. The lower story
contains the offices and apartments of the jailor. The second story is
divided into large halls for such prisoners as require to be less
strictly guarded. The plan of the third story is similar. The whole is
surmounted by a belvidere, with an alarm bell. The cost is estimated
at $200,000.
SECOND MUNICIPALITY WORK-HOUSE
This institution was formed in obedience to legislative enactment,
under date of the 5th of March, 1841. The buildings were completed and
occupied the same year. The site is a portion detached from the
northern extremity of the Protestant Episcopal Burying Ground, and the
centre of the front is directly facing St. Mary street. The plot is
two hundred and ninety feet, front and rear, and two hundred and
fifty-five deep--the whole being enclosed by a wall twenty-one feet
high, twenty-six inches thick at the base, and eighteen at the top,
externally supported throughout by abutments at a distance of every
fourteen feet.
The entrance is by a strong and well secured gate, into a public
passage flanked by offices, over which are rooms assigned to the use
of the keepers, for the accommodation of the guard, and such
_materiel_ as good order, and the safety of the establishment require.
This structure is partially separated from the prison by well
constructed gates and partition walls. Within, on each side,
engrossing the residue of the immediate front of the grounds, are two
buildings. The one on the right is for white females, and that on the
left for blacks of both sexes. These tenements are divided from the
other parts of the prison by high fences of frame work. Going thence
into the principal yard, the building for the male whites is seen on
the extreme right. This is of one story, measuring eighty by thirty
feet, and is the largest one on the premises. Arranged along near the
rear wall, extending to the left, are the work shops.
The average number of white prisoners is eighty, not one-seventh of
whom are females; and one hundred blacks, a third of these also being
females. The prison discipline seems to be of a first rate order; and
it is seldom necessary to punish for offences against the rules.
Religious service is performed on Sundays, and a physician is in
attendance every day. It is a singular fact, that only five persons
have died there since it was opened, notwithstanding their former
irregular habits. The prisoners are kept at constant labor; and their
food, though not luxurious, is of a wholesome nature, which may, when
their abstinence from intemperate habits is taken into consideration,
account for the excellent state of their health. It would not be
hazarding much to say that many here were never before accustomed to
so many of the comforts of life--"in all, save these bonds;" for they
lodge upon clean and comfortable bedding, surrounded by moscheto bars;
and, once a week, at least, can enjoy the luxury of a bath.
This is the receptacle of that class of society, both white and black,
who are denominated vagrants. They embrace two sorts of
individuals--those who have no visible means of obtaining a
livelihood, and those who live by committing unlawful depredations
upon others. Besides these, colored seamen, while in port, not being
suffered by the laws to go at large, are accommodated, for the time
being, with an apartment in the Work-house. Slaves are placed here by
their masters, for punishment, for safe keeping, and for refusing to
perform labor, as well as for the commission of crimes. These last are
sent out in gangs, under keepers, to clean the streets, and to perform
certain other menial services within the control of the municipal
authorities.
Nothing could render this establishment more complete, except a
classification of its inmates; so that the hardened offenders should
be prevented from drawing the young, the thoughtless, and the
incipient transgressor, into the vortex of their own viciousness. To
the philanthropist, this must be a consideration of the utmost
importance. The saying, that "evil communications corrupt good
manners," is illustrated even in this place--and here, many who seem
upon the very verge of destruction, might be saved from ultimate and
utter ruin, by the judicious care and protection of the humane and
reflecting magistrate.
THIRD MUNICIPALITY WORK-HOUSE
This new establishment stands on Moreau street, running from Louisa to
Piety streets, and taking within its limits the building formerly used
as the Washington market, which has been altered to suit its present
purpose. The buildings were prepared under the superintendence of
Charles K. Wise, and are well arranged. The prisoners average about
one hundred--thirty of whom are females. The regulations are
excellent.
THE COURT-HOUSE
This edifice stands on Chartres street, and to the right of the
Cathedral, as it is seen from the Place d'Armes, opposite to which it
is situated. The lower story is of the Tuscan order, with a wide
portico along the front of the edifice, supported by ten antes,
between semi-circular arches. The four in the middle are strengthened
in front by Tuscan columns, and those at the angles by two clustered
pilastres. The ascent to the second story is through the principal
entrance, which is composed of a semi-circular arched door, with antes
at the sides, and Doric entablature. It opens into a spacious lobby,
through which, by a stone stair-way, of a single flight below, and a
double one above, the second floor is reached. The front of the upper
story is of the Ionic order, but generally similar to the lower. The
entablature is surmounted by a denticulated cornice, and the pediment
is relieved by an oblong shield.
[Illustration]
THE CITY HALL
This building stands on the upper side of the Cathedral, on a line
with the Court-House described above, both of which were erected the
latter part of the preceding century, through the liberality of Don
Andre Almonaster. This edifice in all general respects, much resembles
the Court-House on the right of the Cathedral, except that the main
entrance, under the portico, is of the Tuscan order; and that the
stair within is a winding one, leading to the upper story by three
flights; also, that the pediment of the front bears the American
eagle, with cannon and piles of balls.
* * * * *
MARKETS
The markets are a prominent feature in a description of New Orleans.
They are numerous, and dispersed, to suit the convenience of the
citizens. The prices of many articles they offer are very fluctuating.
Not dearer, however, on an average, than in New York. Stall-fatted
meats are not so usual here as at the North, preference being given to
the grass-fed. The mutton has no equal in America. Poultry and fish
are fine; and vegetables, except potatoes, are abundant, and speak
well for the soil that produced them. Fruit, from the West Indies and
our own West, is not only plenty, but of the best kind. The
regulations are excellent, and are strictly enforced by officers
appointed for that purpose.
The greatest market day is Sunday, during the morning. At break of
day the gathering commences--youth and age, beauty and the
not-so-beautiful--all colors, nations and tongues are commingled in
one heterogeneous mass of delightful confusion; and, he must be a
stranger indeed, who elbows his way through the dense crowd, without
hearing the welcome music of his own native language. The traveller,
who leaves the city without visiting one of the popular markets on
Sunday morning, has suffered a rare treat to escape him. Annexed is a
brief descriptive account of them.
POYDRAS STREET MARKET
Is designed for the accommodation of the inhabitants in the rear
portion of the second municipality. It covers a space of ground in
Poydras street forty-two feet wide by four hundred and two
long--extending from near Baronne to Circus street. It was built in
1837, and cost $40,000.
THE VEGETABLE MARKET
The ground plan of this building is irregular; having been constructed
at different periods. It approaches the Roman Doric order--is
supported by brick columns plastered, and covered with a wooden frame
roof tiled. It fronts on Old Levee, St. Philip and Ursuline streets,
and the river. The design was by J. Pilie, who superintended the work.
It was completed in 1830, at an expense of $25,800.
THE MEAT MARKET
Built in the rusticated Doric order, was completed in 1813, after the
designs of J. Piernas, city surveyor. The building is of brick
plastered, with a wooden frame roof, covered with slate. It is
situated on the Levee, and extends from St. Ann to Main streets; and,
from its favorable location, and neat simplicity of architecture, is a
striking object to those who approach the city by water. It cost about
$30,000.
ST. MARY'S MARKET
This building fronts on Tchoupitoulas street, and runs to New Levee, a
distance of four hundred and eighty-six feet by a width of forty-two
feet. It was completed in 1836, in the rusticated Doric order, at a
cost of about $48,000. In the vicinity, on the first named street, is
a vegetable market--a very neat edifice.
* * * * *
Besides these, there is a very respectable market at the head of
Elysian Fields street, near the Levee; and another in Orleans, between
Marais and Villere streets, near the City Prison.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
EXCHANGE HOTEL, (ST. CHARLES)
This magnificent establishment, which, for size and architectural
beauty, stands unrivalled, was commenced in the summer of 1835, and
finished in the May of 1838, by an incorporated company. The building
was designed by, and erected under the superintendence of J. Gallier,
architect, at an expense of $600,000, including the ground it stands
on, which cost $100,000. It presents fronts on three streets. The
principal one on St. Charles street, consists of a projecting portico
of six Corinthian columns, which stand upon a granite basement
fourteen feet high, with a pediment on the top, and four similar
columns on each side of the portico, placed in a range with the front
wall; behind which is formed a recess fifteen feet wide and one
hundred and thirty-nine long, and floored over with large granite
slabs, which, supported on iron beams, serve as a ceiling to that
portion of the basement story standing under the portico; and on top
affords a delightful promenade under the shade of the portico and side
columns. The entrance to the bar room is under this; and the outside
steps, leading from the street to the portico, are placed on each side
thereof, between it and the front range of the building. In one of the
rear angles of the basement is a bathing establishment, consisting of
fourteen rooms, elegantly fitted up, with every convenience for hot or
cold bathing. On the opposite angle are placed the wine cellars,
store-house, and other domestic apartments. All the remaining parts of
the basement are divided into stores, which are rented out to various
trades-people. The bar room is in the basement, near the centre of the
edifice; and is octangular in the plan, seventy feet in diameter, and
twenty high; having an interior circular range of Ionic columns,
distributed so as to support the weight of the floors and partitions
of the upper stories. The architecture of this room is Ionic. That of
the saloon, which is immediately over the bar room, is of the
Corinthian order, and eighteen feet ceiling. A grand spiral stair-case
commences upon the centre of the saloon floor, and is continued up to
the dome. Around this stair-case, on each side of the upper stories, a
gallery is formed, which gives access to six bedrooms within the
octagon, on each of the six upper stories. As the bar room is six feet
higher than the other parts of the basement, the entrance to the
saloon from the portico is by a flight of marble steps, twelve in
number, and thirty-five feet long. On the top of these steps is
placed a beautiful marble statue of Washington, presented to the
company by John Hagan, Esq.
The gentlemen's dining and sitting rooms occupy the whole side of the
building on Gravier street. The dining room, with a pantry at the end,
is one hundred and twenty-nine feet long by fifty wide, and twenty-two
feet high, tastefully finished in the Corinthian order, with two
inside ranges of columns, so placed that there is abundant space for
four ranges of dining tables, sufficient to accommodate five hundred
persons. The ladies' dining room is placed over the bathing
apartments, and is fifty-two by thirty-six feet. The kitchen,
fifty-eight by twenty-nine feet, is placed in the rear wing of the
building, on the same story with, and in the centre between the two
dining rooms. The two angles of the principal front contain the
ladies' drawing room, and the gentlemen's sitting room, the former
forty by thirty-two feet, the latter thirty-eight feet square. There
are nine private parlors on the second story, to some of which are
attached adjoining bedrooms; and the same number on the upper stories.
There are four stories of elegantly furnished and well lighted
bedrooms, all around the four sides of the building, with central
passages, or corridors, which communicate with the centre and with
each other, having three stair-cases opening to the corridors, besides
the grand stair-case in the octagon. There are, in the edifice, three
hundred and fifty rooms.