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.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    former speaks of unknown divine principle, to the operation of which lie supposed pestilential diseases might he owing. Some attrihute to an electric operation; others speak of the epidemic constitution of the air; othei's, to some hidden or occult qualities derived from exhalations of the bowels oi' the earth. But now these ideas are, since the discovery of germs, ^'ut down among the curiosities of our literature. The Homeopathic Commission, Avhose expenses were Itorne by that philan- thropic lady, Mrs. Tiiompson, of New York—who also paid the expenses of the Wood worth (or Allopathic) Commission—after some weeks of jiersonnl in- vestigation at the princii)al points affected by the fever in 1873, mad-c a report of fifty-six pages, which contains matter of great value, l)ut whicl) unfortu- nately is interwoven with much of aggressive criticism of allopathic treatment which, in tlie eyes of those at least who are attached to the old school, is re])re- hensible especially in view of the importance of the subject under investioati(jn. Treating of the causes of yellow fever this Homeopathic Commission * reports that it is a specific disease, entirely independent of malaria, occurj'ing I'ai'cly a second time in the same person, infectious and capable of transmission to any distance by means of fomites or infected material. The yellow fever germs—for we accept provisionally the germ theory of the disease—ai-e indige- nous to the West Indies and perhaps to the west coast of Africa, and have been thoroughly naturalized in many localities in the soutlicrn portion of the United States. They-Avere imported into New Orleans during the last quarter of t!ie eighteenth century, and have existed in tlie soil or atmosphere of that place ever since, either in a latent or an active condition. They may lie dormant for many years consecutively, and they require a concurrence of causes to develop them into a state of disease-producing activity. Some of the factors which seem to be favorable to the excitation of the yellow fever germ are the following; Low, swampy ground, near the level of a tropical sea. Long continuance of very high temperature, following heavy rains. Long continuance of south and east winds. Aggregations of human beings with the excreta of their bodies in small spaces. A crowded and dirty shiji may be a nidus for yellow fever, as well as a crowded and dirty city. Long continuance of calm weather, nnbroken by thunder-stoi'ms. Exposure of decaying vegetable and aiiimal matter to a buiuing sun. Inefficient drainage and the general accumulation of filth, especially the city garbage. Deficiency of ozone in the atmosphere. Pestilential exhalations from an uj^turned soil. *This Commission was composed of tlie following named gentlemen: AVm. H. Hol- combe, ^I. D., of New Orleans, Chairman ; T. S. Verdi, M. D., of Washington City, Sec'y; Buslirod W. James, M. D., of Pliiladelphia, Penn.; W. L. Breyfogte, M. D., of Louis- ville, Ky.; .J. P. Dake, M. D., of Nashville, Tenn.; E. H. Price, M. D., of Cliattnr,ooga, Tenn.; F. 11. Orme, M. D., of Atlanta, Ga.; L. A. Falligant, M. D., of Savannali, Ga.; Ivucins I). ]\[orse, M. D., of Menipliis, Tenn.; W. J. Mnrreii, M. D., of Mobile, Alaljama; Thomas J. Ilaipcr, M. D., of Vicksburg, Miss.