The yellow fever epidemic of 1878 in Memphis, Tenn. : embracing a complete list of the dead, the names of the doctors and nurses employed, names of all who contributed money or means, and the names and history of the Howards, together with other data, and lists of the dead elsewhere / by J.M. Keating.

  • Keating, John McLeod, 1830-1906
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The yellow fever epidemic of 1878 in Memphis, Tenn. : embracing a complete list of the dead, the names of the doctors and nurses employed, names of all who contributed money or means, and the names and history of the Howards, together with other data, and lists of the dead elsewhere / by J.M. Keating. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of absentees and the influx of strangers did not reproduce tlie epidemic. In Clinton, La., Avhere the fever began a montli before the frosts above alhided to, the fever did not disappear; on tlie contrary, after the 10th of December many persons died, among thera several negroes. All the les- sons of philosophy teach, says Dowler, that yellow fever has a cause or combination of causes, without Avhich it can not appear; with which, it can not fiiil to appear, being not the less certain because unknown in the present state of science. Its antecedents and sequences must prove when known as invariably connected and simple as any part of physics. Fortu- nately the conditions if not the causes of yellow fever are to a considerable extent known: for example, it is known to be connected, no matter how, with the warm season of the year; with unacclimated constitutions; with aggregations of people in towns and villages, and it rarely attacks rural populations unless they crowd together so as to become virtually towns. And he might have added, that it is subject to a law of periodicity, that it reaches its zenith in a given time and declines Avithout regard to climatic conditions or other influences, such as the continued unsanitary state of the public highways. In New Orleans, in 1853, the climax was reached on the 53d day of the epidemic; in 1858, on the 56th day; in 1867, on the 56th day; and in 1878, on the 57th day. In Memphis, in 1867, the fever reached its climax on the 40th day; in 1873, on the 40th day; and in 1878, on the 44th day—in every instance declining in the same ratio as it advanced. That yellow fever can be imported and may be engrafted by conditions which, if they do not originate, certainly promote it, is apparent in the case of Louisville, from which we have this tardy confession in the Age, a weekly jmper remarkable for its candor, for its freedom from sectional or political bias, from personal considerations or control, and that is amongst the best of our current publications for fair dealing, truth-telling, and trenchant, fearless criticism. It says, in the number for February 22, that Many credulous persons in Louisville, relying implicitly upon the opinions of the doctors and the solemn assurances of newspapers last summer, laughed at the idea that indigenous yellow fever existed in the city. It is we believe with a single exception admitted now, however, that the dreadful disease not only existed here, but proved quite fiital in a number of cases. Fortu- nately it was not developed until late in the season, and the cool weather of September, followed by the frosts of October, retarded its propagation. It is interesting to discover the methods that were adopted to mislead the public. One of our most prominent physicians, writing in a late number of the Iledical News, frankly discloses how the result was accomplished secun- dum artem. 'W. M.,' says he, 'had all of the usual symptoms of yellow fever, well marked, and died on the fifth day,' but, 'knowing that a public announcement of a death from this cause in a citizen would be disastrous to the business interests and social quiet of Louisville, it was decided to call the disease ' gastro enteritis' Tlic death certificate, however, was brought to the ]iliysician in charge, ' filled out as malarial fever,^ and the physician signed it. The cloud was a camel, a weasel, or a whale, any thing to suit the exigencies