(To be continued.)
_Origin and Progress of Cholera at Albany._
The following report made by the medical staff of Albany to the
Board of Health, furnishes some interesting information relative to
the origin of the epidemic, and the character of the diseases which
preceded its appearance in that city.
“In presenting to the Board of Health the following tables,
showing the bills of mortality of this city from the 22d ult.,
when the board directed the deaths to be recorded, up to this
day, we deem it our duty to make some remarks relative to the
health of the city during the above period, and likewise in
relation to our future prospects, and the measures we consider
useful to accelerate the departure of the pestilence from among
us.
“We stated in our last report to the board, that immediately
prior to the breaking out of the epidemic, our city was
unusually healthy. Until about the 20th of June, few diseases
prevailed, and the mortality was less than common. From the
22d of June to the 3d of July, only eleven deaths occurred--of
those, six were children. In a population of twenty-six
thousand, an average of less than one death a day for near two
weeks, indicates a degree of health almost without a parallel.
From the 30th of June to the 3d of July, _not one single death
was reported_. It was, however, but the calm which precedes
the storm. All other diseases gave way to the silent but the
irresistible march of the epidemic.
“Although but few deaths took place from the 20th of June
to the 3d of July, there was considerable sickness; and
experienced physicians foresaw the coming danger, in the usual
prevalence of diarrhœa, and common cholera morbus--hence it was
that your board was urged to make all ready--to be prepared
with hospitals, physicians, nurses, &c. and to this timely
warning, and the preparations made in consequence, we may,
under Providence, attribute the limited ravages of this fell
pestilence.
“On the 3d day of July, the epidemic assumed its malignant
and characteristic form. From that time until now, it has
maintained its residence among us. For the first week it
gradually extended, and during the second it has been rather
stationary, the number attacked varying a little from day to
day and but little.
“It is now a fortnight since the first deaths took place. The
number of cases reported within that period is two hundred
and forty-five, and the deaths seventy-two--or a little over
one-quarter of the whole. It must however be recollected,
that during the same time hundreds had been attacked with
_Cholerine_, or the slightest influences of the epidemic.
None of these have been reported, _because by timely aid, the
disease, in its more formidable shape, was prevented_. We can,
we believe, say with truth, that few have entirely escaped the
influence of the disease.
“From a consideration of all the circumstances connected with
the visitation of Providence, we think our citizens have great
cause for thankfulness, that we thus far suffered so little.
Compared to our neighbours of Canada, we have suffered less
than we had cause to anticipate. The disease has been among us
for a fortnight; has passed all over the city, and in one form
or other has affected more or less persons of all classes, and
yet the deaths have not much exceeded five in a day, whilst
at Quebec and Montreal, in a population not much exceeding
ours, the deaths some days exceeded one hundred, when the
disease had not been so long among them as it has been with
us. From the history of the disease in other countries, and
the circumstances connected with its progress in this city,
we would fain indulge the hope, that it has already spent its
venom, and that we shall ere long be free from it entirely. For
the last two days, notwithstanding the number of cases reported
and the high state of mortality, we are inclined to believe
that we see, in the character of the prevailing disease,
indications of returning health.
“We have as yet, had no cause to change our opinion
respecting the nature of the prevailing disease--we consider
it essentially epidemic. It continues to attack people in
different parts of the city, and had not been traced from one
person to another, as might have been done were its progress
dependent on contagion. It is true, in some houses, several
persons have been attacked and died; but this only shows that
similar causes produce similar effects in individuals placed
in like circumstances--all were equally exposed to the local
and general causes which engender this disease. The disease
_may_, under certain circumstances, be contagious, but no very
striking instances of the kind has yet come to our knowledge in
this city.
“We cannot reprehend in too strong language, the cold-hearted
and inhuman conduct of many of our people, to the unfortunate
victims of cholera. They are too often abandoned to their fate,
even their friends being afraid to do to them the ordinary
offices of charity. Were they labouring under the plague of
the Levant they would not be looked upon with more dread. All
this is folly. The risk of taking the disease from the sick is
little or nothing; much more is to be dreaded from foul air
by which the disease is engendered. The first care of friends
should be, not to run away, but to take the sick into more
healthy and airy lodgings.
“We would also protest against the indecent haste with which
the scarcely cold remains of the dead are hurried to their last
abode, without a neighbour to follow, or a friend to mourn.
Such conduct is discreditable to the character of a Christian
people. We trust that we shall not again have to complain
of similar indifference to the performance of the duties of
charity and humanity.
“To the members of the medical profession, and particularly
its younger members, we willingly award due credit for their
attention and diligence, under circumstances of no usual
difficulty.
“We would again most earnestly entreat our citizens not to
neglect to apply for medical aid the moment diarrhœa, or sick
stomach and head-ache take place. We have not yet known one
instance in which the disease in its malignant form, was not
preceded by one or more of these symptoms, for some hours, if
not days; and we have not seen or heard of a single instance
where these premonitory symptoms were properly attended to,
an attack was not prevented. It cannot be too strongly or too
often impressed upon the minds of our citizens, that cholera,
in its early stages, is easily cured; but that when neglected,
in a majority of cases, no human aid will avail. Almost all
the deaths have occurred in persons of intemperate habits,
and of broken constitutions. A few estimable citizens have
fallen victims to it, but these were either aged and infirm, or
had neglected the premonitory symptoms, or had tampered with
medicines, without proper advice.
“To our constituted authorities we would recommend the most
assiduous attention to cleanliness in our streets, along
our wharves and docks; to our citizens, strict attention to
cleanliness in their houses and persons, to pay due attention
to dress, avoid exposure to the night air, and observe
strict temperance, not only in _drink_, but in _food_. We
would caution them against the free use of _fruit_, _ripe_
or _unripe_, and the employment of Glauber or Epsom salts
as medicines. Several cases of cholera have been brought on
by their operation. If due attention be paid to all these
precautions, we have every reason to hope that the epidemic
will soon cease to prevail among us.
“JONA. EIGHTS, Chairman.”
_Bill of Mortality from 22d June to the 7th July, 1832._
June 22, 2--1 poison,
1 small-pox.
23, ----
24, 1 pneumonia,
25, 1 convulsions,
26, 2--1 convulsions,
1 marasmus,
27, 2--1 convulsions,
1 consumption,
28, 1 scarlatina,
29, 2--1 consumption,
1 unknown,
30, ----
--
11 deaths from 22 June to July 3.
July, 3, 2 cholera,
4, ----
5, 4 cholera,
6, 2 cholera,
7, 3 cholera,
8, 4--3 cholera,
1 intemperance,
9, 5 cholera,
10, 8--1 apoplexy,
7 cholera,
11, 9 cholera,
12, 4--1 consumption,
3 cholera,
13, 8--6 cholera,
1 congestion of the brain, after cholera,
1 typhus fever,
14, 7--1 hydrocephalus,
6 cholera,
15, 7--1 debility,
6 cholera,
16, 7 cholera,
17, 8 cholera,
--
78
Cholera 72
Other diseases 6