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       REPORT


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THE  COMMITTEE


           OF







    OF MEW-ORLEANS,
ON THE
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PUBLISHED BY ORDER OP THE SOCIETY,
JYEW-ORLEJJVS
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     Duht, prim


     i5ii.
& W. Dubt, printer. 
    RESOLVED, by the Physico-Medical Society, New-Orleans,
that  a  Committee be appoint:-1.  to write on   the  History and
T.eatment of the Epidemic of 1820.
    Resolved, by the Physico.Medical  Society of New Orleans,
thit the ixepoit presented by their Committee on  the  History and
Treatment of the Epidemic of the  late season, be adopted ; and
thit the same be considered  as the expression of the  Opinions  of
ilia Society on that subject.
   Resolved  further, That  the said report be  published in  a
 Pamphlet.—The same Committee (consisting of Do6tors Randolph,
Davidson, and Marshall,) to procure and superintend its publication. 
V
REFOHT.
                   IN conformity  with  the  resolution of
 the Society, your Committee submit for consideration,  the
 following concise account of the late epidemic.
   In discharging this duty, they are sensible of their inabil-
 ity to contribute much interesting information  on a subject
 that has already attracted so much observation.   Yet they
 are, nevertheless, persuaded, that, while the anomalous as-
 pect of the malady, and its still formidable character,  indi-
 cates the necessity of additional notice, an apology is offer-
 ed for all attempts grounded on the desire of  benefiting hu-
 manity.
   Previous to a consideration  of the disease,  the local pe-
 culiarities of the city, evidently demand some consideration.
 Though the causes which excite an epidemic among a peo-
 ple, or  a nation, have hitherto eluded human research ; yet
 those causes which operate locally, come more immediate-
 ly within the  cognizance of our sense?, and such are to be
 seen in the  situation,  the police, and  manners and cus-
 toms of the inhabitants of the place or country.
   New-Orleans is situated on an alluvial plain, in lat. 30 N.
 long.  90 W.  and surrounded by marshes to the extent of
 many miles.  The  streets are narrow, and supplied  with
 wooden sewers ; the houses for the most part are badly con-
 structed :  subjecting the  inhabitants,  from  their low  and
 crowded situation,  to the direct  influence of noxious ef-
 fluvia.   The burial  grounds are situated in the immediate
 vicinity  of the  city, and a pernicious practice prevails ot
 entombing  many  of the dead  in vaults erected  above  the
ground.   Owing to a general neglect of police laws, quan- 
4
 tities of filth are either thrown on the banks of the river,  or
 in the rear of the city; and in addition to those sources of
 vitiated atmosphere, the total want of trees, or the higher
 orders of  vegitable  growth, are circumstances which we
 deem worthy of notice.
    The climate of this city, like that of the intertropical la-
 titudes, is characterized,  during the winter months,  by fre-
 quent transitions of temperature.   The thermometer usual-
 ly ranges at that season from 20 to 70 degrees, while the
 temperature of the  summer season  is steadily above 80,
 and frequently,  for successive days, as high as high  90 and
 93 degrees.
   Opposed to the natural  and artificial evils of our situa-
 tion, we, with pleasure remark, that the  manners and cus-
 toms of the inhabitants are in many  respects good.   Noti
 withstanding the obloquy with which  the natives have  been
 treated by many of those who  have professed to delineate
 theit habits, it is  yet obvious  to unprejudiced  individuals,,
 that, with the exception of their city police, the modes of.
 living and manners of the Louisianians are, in truth,  such
 as would  rather gain than loose by a comparison with those
 of their northern and  western brethren.   Habitually indif-
 ferent to the use of ardent spirits,  intoxication among them
 is consequently  extremely rare: nor can  they be accused
 of  pattaking  of the   amusements  of the  ball-room  and
 theatre in any degree beyond what  is sanctioned by the
 customs of moral and  enlightened  people.   The reverse
 of this, however, is generally the case, with  those who an-
 nually migrate to New-Orleans, and these  are the persons
 most  obnoxious to  the endemic.
  Placed in a situation bearing a strong resemblance to ma-
 ny of the most unhealthy parts of the world, it cannot be a
 source ot surprise that, in like manner, we are annually  sub-
jected to the destructive CAUSPS.  The limits of this re-
 poit will not permit your committee to dwell on the probable
causes of that fever and its mutation in this city during every 
5
  summer ; We can only observe on this part of oorsubiect,
  that the diversity of sentiment is as much dependant on in-
  correct  conclusions and tenariouB opinions,  as  from  a  defi-
  ciency of data and other general difficulties  attendant on
  enquiries into  the operations of nature.*
    On refenng to the  relative  degrees of heat for the last
  four years, we are of opinion that no information can be de-
  rived frcm that source, in explanation of the uncommon ma-
  lignity, which characterized the epidemic of the presentyear.
  With regard to the pressure  of the atmosphere, we have to
  regret that the want of good instruments has  prevented due
  attention to a source, whence there was reason to anticipate
  important results.   The  fall of rain, though great, did not
  appear to exceed, in frequency or quantity, that of the pre-
  ceding year,   during  the  same  period.   The  prevailing
  winds  were from the  southward,  but about  the period of
  disease,  they changed to the north and northwest,  and such
  variations were immediately followed by an increase of  the
 malady.
   The fruits  of the earth  were  promising and abundant,
 which  together with the popular  anticipation of a healthy
 season, indicated, by the absence of mental sources,  an  im-
 munity from pestilence.
   The vernal  fevers also,  were uncommonly mild in cha-
 racter, and finally  from every view of this subject, there-
 suit of the past season has shown that the premonitary signs
 of pestilence, are of a  nature equally without the reach of
 the physician, as of the inquisitive citizen.
  As in former years, the earliest and latest instances of the
 fever were observed on  board the steam-boats and shipping.
 While  reflecting on this fact, the circumstances of the pecu-
liar construction of vessels, and their notoriously polluted
 state, in many  instances, together with a proximity  to the
 accumulated filth of the  city, are considerations, in the opin-
ion  of  the Committee,  intimately associated  with the cau-
    *Tt was  determined by  a  resolution of the Society  that the committee
 should avoid die controversy on contagion and nim-coutagi«!. 
6
ses of such election.  We would also remind the  society,
of an evident co-incidence existing, between the enclosure
of the batture, and the recent unusual consecution of epi*
demic fever in this city*
  During the  first  week in  July,  several cases of yellow-
fever were known to have occurred, but  it was not epidem-
rc until  late in August.  From that period the range of the
malady continued with diminished fatality, until the 10th of
October, when it was apparently arrested by the recurrence
©f cold weather.   Thus  was this city, after  becoming un-
expectedly a theatre of deep distress, suddenly restored to
the enjoyment of comparative health.
           SUBJECTS  AND SYMPTOMS.
  On this part of our subject, we have  little, perhaps no*
thing new to publish*  Few  epidemic diseases present gen-
erally such uniform features  in the great outline  of  their
character, as yellow fever in its malignant  form.   Climate
and local circumstances, age, sex, and temperament, throw
shades of variety or diversity into the comparatively unim-
portant symptoms,  while the  great  characteristics of the
disease appear to be essentially the same  in all countries and
in all subjects*  It is only  for the purpose, therefore, of
noticing these  shades of difference,  that it becomes necessa-
ry to give a description of the character and symptoms of our
late epidemic.
   In no season within  the late years,  have its  ravages  been
more exclusively confined to strangers;  by  this term howe»
Ver,  we would be  understood to designate all persons not
inured to the atmosphere  of the city,  by nativity or by resi-
dence in it during one or more epidemic seasons.
   Creoles of Louisiana, residing but a few miles in the coun-
try, who had the  temerity  to venture into the city during its
reign,  were liable  (though in a less* degree than northern
strangers)  to the disease  in its  milder form :  the same re-
mark will apply to  persons,  who had resided in the  city ma-
i>y years, during the healthy months, but were in the  habit
eflcaving in the latter part of summer and  autumn. 
7
   No instances are known  of immunity in consequence of
 the pursuit of a particular trade or occupation, or the use
 of prophylacticks,  A few remarkable  instances  occurred
 this season, as well as in 1817 and 1819, of the exemption
 of females in a state of pregnancy.
   As in former  epidemics,  old persons, females, children
 and negroes, had the disease  in its mildest form,  and  most
 frequently recovered.   No difference was observable in the
 malignity  with which it assailed  northern Americans and
 Europeans.   The mortality was  equally great among our
 northern sailors, western country boatmen,  and the  Ger-
 man redemptioners, recently brought into this country.
   Relapses from fever in its high grade, rarely occurred ;
 When they did, it was from great  imprudence or exposure,
 and very  early  in  the  commencement of convalescence,
 From  the milder attacks they were more frequent.
   Premonitory  symptoms, were,  in genera), so vague, and
 so common to  every  description of our population,  as
 to lead to  no certain or  useful anticipation.  Persons who
 fell  victims to  the disease; those  who had  it in its mildest
 forms, and those who escaped it altogether,  were alike sub.
 jectto loss of appetite, a  dull heavy  pain in the head, and
 sometimes in the back, with occasional rigors, night sweats,
 slight catarrhs, giddiness, anxieties  and low spirits,   We be-
 lieve that there were very few, even among the Creoles and
 assimilated foreigners, who were  not conscious of the pre^
 sence of one or more of these symptoms, during the greater
 part of the time the  fever prevailed epidemically.  Many
 persons  \who were in doubt of their  insusceptibility  from
 having had the disease before, or from residence  ia the ch
 ty, remained the greater part of the season, under the fright-
 ful apprehension that the next day, or  perhaps the pext hour
.would bring on other symptoms of a less equivocal charac-
 ter,  and confine them to their beds,  It was under the  feel-
 ings thus excited, that many fled the  city for safety.
   It would seem from this, that the stimulus of the febrile
 poison exhausted its force on the assimilated system,  •■.vita, 
8
 out producing other effects than those just enumerated,
 while, upon the  unacclimated, and on those  who had  not
 previously been exposed  to its influence, and particularly
 those of this description, from high latitudes, in the vigour
 and bloom of health and youth, it rarely or never failed to
 excite the usual symptoms constituting yellow-fever.
   Pains in the head, back, and lower extremities, preceded
 or  accompanied by a chill,  generally announced its onset  ;
 both of these symptoms, varied much in their intensity and
 duration,  and often served as useful criteria  of the grade,
 and tolejably correct prognostics of the issue of the disease.
 In proportion to the violence, and sometimes to the  dura-
 tion of the chill, and the intensity of the pains, was the at-
 tack in its  subsequent character mild,  and its termination
 favorable.
  The reaction from the general, or partial chill which
 ushered in the disease, presented in  most cases, a flush  on
 the face,  neck and breast, with a throbbing in the temporal
 and carotid arteries ; an increase  of pain in the head,  wate-
 ry suffused  eye ; great  heat on the  surface  of  the  body,
 while the extremities remained cold ; shortened respiration,
 attended sometimes with  sighing and deep inspirations,  an
 irritable  stomach, ejecting, first, its ingesta, and  then a
 fluid tinged with yellow bile ; the pulse, at the wrist,  vary-
 ing in its force and frequency, as  the chillness or  reaction
 happened  to predominate,  but  always  indicating  a  high
 degree of  inflamatory  action in  the  arteries, while  the
 patient  frequently  complained  of  great prostration   of
strength.   The  tongue, if changed  at  all  from its  natu-
 ral  appearance,  slightly  overcast,  particularly  about  its
centre, with a light buff,  or pale yellow hue, and sometimes
slightly swolen.   The  urine high colored, frequently dis-
charged,  but in small quantities.   The  countenance under
the influence of the patient's apprehensions, and sufferings,
together  with the peculiar expression  given  to  it, by the
suffused eyes, and flushed face, conveyed to a  critical obser-
ver impressions,  which cannot be described, and are only 
9
  to \e imparted by the presence of the disease.  To the forte-
  going symptoms, particularly after the  continuance for a
  short time, may be added, oppression about the praecordia,
  a sensation of great heat and burning in the stomach, sore-
  ness or a fatigued feeling in the muscles of the extremities,
  with anxiety and restlessness.
    These symptoms  in most cases would remit and  recur,
  with aggravated or diminished force, according to the vio-
  lence  of the disease, or the  efficacy of the  remedies used
  for their  relief;  but were generally followed by others that
  marked the destructive march of the malady ;  such as deli-
  rium,  great soreness to the touch of the  epigastrium, defi-
  cient secretion of urine, eyes heavy and of a muddy cast,
  face changed from a lively flush, to a  slightly livid or light
  mahogany color ;  the tongue  contracted in size and partial-
  ly inflamed, particularly at  its edges,  an increase of  gastic
  irritability & vomiting of whatever drin';s were given, throw-
 ing off yellow or green bile, sometimes  of a dark flaky
 substance, which has often been mistaken for black vomit.
   To these symptoms which are considered as constituting the
 first stage of the disease, and which generally continued to
 to the third, but sometimes not longer than to the second or
 or  first day, succeeded an entire remission of the febrile,
 and most other unfavorable appearances—" The tempera-
 ture of the skin  sunk below its natural state, and the pulse
 below  its natural force; in point of frequency,  the  pulse
 did not now  deviate much from its healthy state;  the pati-
 ent often  fancied himself well."   And  the  unexperienced
 practitioner  might find himself under the same  mistake.
 " But this flatttering  delusion  was of transitory duration—
 a more melancholy train of symptoms was soon to succeed:
 It was  now  that  the  mind became  the sport and wreck
 of  an unconquerable  delirium ; sleep  was exchanged for
 perpetual watchfulness, or for  broken  slumbers, more dis-
tressing than watchfulness itself; the eyes became yellow—
a yellowness also appeared,  first, about the angle  of the 
10
lower jaw,  and on the neck,  and spread gradually  over the
body.  Petechia appeared on the skin, which was moisten-
ed with a cold  clammy sweat ; the pulse small, feeble and
irregular, and  often,  for many hours before death,  absent
from the wrist; hiccough, suppression of urine without pain,
hemorrhagy from the nose,  gums, bowels, &c. &C."*  A
slight convulsion of the stomach announced the  approach of
black vomit, the certain harbinger of death.
  Such  was the usual course and progress of  the disease,
when it terminated  fatally, from the third to the  fifth day,
and we had very few deaths within a shorter period, but ma-
ny cases  were protracted to  the  seventh, and from  that to
the tenth and  twelfth day.  In these  cases  the  patient lin-
gered in the secondary, and not in  the inflamatory stage of
the fever.  Many patients recovered, where all of the 'pre-
ceding symptoms were present, except the ever fatal one of
the black vomit.  Happy for the interest of our city and of
humanity,  the disease raged with destructive sway but a ve-
ry short period.
   Of the persons afflicted, the proportion of deaths, accord-
ing to our own experience, was one out of every six of adult
whites,  and one of every ten, of the various descriptions of
persons, women, children and blacks.
   Examinations post-mortem, exhibited appearances which
differed in  no respect, from those  already detailed  in the
works of eminent authors.   The strongest marks of disor-
ganization  were  observed in the alimentory  canal.  The
stomach was reduced in size,  and contained that black mat-
ter  resembling coffee grounds.  Its lower or  right  orifice,
 together with the duodenum, was effused with black blood.
 The remainder of the prima via,  together with  the lungs,
 spleen,  kidneys",  liver and  biliary  ducts, indicated  no
 alterations in the  structure of parts.   From the  symp-
 toms already  detailed,  and   these observations,  we consi-
 dered the primary injury as seated in the sensorium commune,
 and  our efforts (as will be seen in the sequel)  were princi*
     •Doctor Caldwell. 
11
  pally directed against the consequences of irregular organic
  action.

              MODES OF  TREATMENT.
    From the difficulties with which this part of our subject is
  invested, we approach it with diffidence.   As the  inferen-
  ces hitherto drawn from the experience of the most skilful.
  physicians on the treatment of yellow-fever, are of a nature
  altogether depressing ; so in the late epedemic malady, we
  must freely  acknowledge,  that all methods of practice were
  frequentlyincapable of mitigating the disease, much less, of
 preventing a fatal termination.
    In detailing the remedies which have gained some repu-
  tation for the cure of this fever, we have endeavoured to ar-
 range them  according to their relative value, and order of
 exhibition.   It  is evident, however, that such an  arrange-
 ment can only be useful in a general sense, as the adminis-
 tration, or total neglect of many of them, were  necessarily
 influenced by the varying character  of the disease.
  Blood letting was generally indicated in the first stage of
 the disease,  and in most cases, was  carried to a very great
 extent with the  happiest effects.  But we are apprehensive
 that, in some instances, too much reliance was reposed in
 this,  to  the  neglect of other remedies.  The good effects
 of a judicious use of the lancet, were evidenced in the  re-
 moval or alleviation of pain, heat and restlessness.   Some-
 times a gentle perspiration ensued;  and it seldom failed to
 predispose to catharsis.
   In that form of the disease, wherein the  pulse is sluggish
 from the commencement, we found  a previous use of, the
 tepid bath and frictions, at advised by Doctor Jackson,
 highly beneficial.  Under  other  circumstances, the warm
 bath was useless, if not pernicious.   As the season advanc-
ed, blood letting became  less proper, or at least,  to the
same  extent.  This  fact was also observed m the years,
 1817, and  1819. 
12
   No physician in this place has ever doubted the utility of
 cathartic  medicines,  in  the  treatment of yellow-fever ;
 but of the species  best adapted to this disease, a variety of
 opinions continue to prevail.  Those  of a drastic nature
 were not generally proper after the formative stage. We  are
 aware that a different view of this subject influenced a large
 nnmber of our practitioners, at the commencement of  the
 epidemic. But lenient purges, frequently repeated, were af-
 terwards found effectual  in  removing obstructions  from the
prima via;  and of equalizing  excitement, by an indirect
 operation on the skin.  The purgatives most used were Ca-
 lomel, Jalap,  the  Sulphats of Soda and  Magnesia,  Castor
 Oil, Calcined Magnesia; and Turpentine.
   Cold Water,  if  not  entitled to the  rank of a primary
 remedy, was at least a very powerful auxiliary in the treat-
 ment of yellow fever.   In some instances, the  fever  was
 arrested by  a copious bleeding,  followed by the affusion of
 cold water.   It seldom failed,  when repeatedly applied, to
 remove  preternatural heat,  alleviate thirst, lessen the  fre-
 quency of the pulse, and induce a disposition to sleep.  Of-
 ten when applied to the  region of the stomach, it averted
 vomiting.  This last mentioned symptom, was occasionally
 removed by large and repeated draughts of cold water.
   With the  viyw of exciting the  action of purgative medi-
 cines,  clysters of cold water,  deserve  commendation.
 Clysters of emolient, stimulent and anodyne qualities were
 found well adapted to the several stages of yellow fever ; like
 cathartic medicines, their operation was frequently extend-
 ed to the skin, as indicated  by the usual diminution of heat
 and thirst.
   The use of blisters in yellow fever, claims attention, as
 well from their former  character, as  from their  intrinsic
 worth.   It is a frequent source of regret,  that there are  but
 few remedies, which have sustained tne test of successive c-
 pidemics. Whether from unqualified praise on the one hand
 or (he intemperate opposition on the  other, thus much  is 
13
evident, that the  labours of the  physicians are greatly in-
creased, from  the uncertainties with  which each class  of
writers have enveloped the most obvious facts.   Your com-
mittee had ample experience  of  the correctness of Doctor
Rush's  observations on the use  of blisters within  the first
thirty-six hours of aggravated fever.   When appl;ed to the
head, on  the  alienation  of mind,  which characterized the
approach of the  secondary stage of fever, their operation
was often surprisingly beneficial.
  With the view of affirming  the  exact merit of blisters in
yellow  fever,  we must  remark,  that,  like all  other medi-
cines, they entirely failed in the worst form of the malady—
though, when applied under the circumstances already no-
ticed, we believe they were not found to be in any instance
pernicious.
  From the celebrity which the preparations of MERCU-
RY *have obtained, in  the treatment of yellow fever,  most
of our ph)sicians, have at one period  or  other, resorted to
their use  with the  most flattering anticipation.  And, in-
deed, it was not until  the late epidemic, that the  general
confidence in what is termed  the  mercurial  treatment,
became greatly impaired.  That treatment was, no doubt,
in many instances successful,  but in  the most aggravated
form (or that character of the disease  which is emphatical-
ly termed oppressed) Ptyalism was  seldom induced, and
when it actually occurred the patient did not always re-
cover.
  Many of those  who were said to have been saved by this
method, had  along ad tedious  convalescence; but  this
consequence,  we believe, was more owing to its indiscrim-
inate use at all stages of the malady,  than to the occasional
ill effects of mercury on many  constitutions.  When exhibi-
ted in yellow fever,  on rational  principals, we still think
it a medicine of much worth.
  Emetics.—The pernicious  tendency of  this class of me-
dicines  in yellew-fever,  is now  generally admitted.  The 
14
obstinate irritability of the stomach, which usually attends
this disease sooner or later,  is almost uniformly  aggravated
by  the use  of antimonial  preparations.   Far from  pre-
scribing such medicines, the physicians of this city consider
it  an imperious  duty,  to provide  as  much  as  possible
against distressing vomiting.   And even  in  the selection of
cathartics, to administer such  as are least  likely to disturb
the tranquility of the stomach.  In arriving at  this conclu-
sion on the use of emetics, we are  much  influenced  from
experience,  as any  priciples we may have on the subject.
Instances of the exhibition of emetics, without  medical ad-
vice were common, and we may say, that the result of  such
practice was unequivocally pernicious.
  The discordance of opinions on the use of opium in yellow-
fever, is an evident proof of the inefficacy of general rules for
its administration.   Though the collective testimony of me-
dical writers,  is against the use of this article, at any stage
of the disease, yet we have seen many instances, where its
operation was highly beneficial.   If required to point out
the most proper time for its exhibition,  we  would say,  at
that stage of the disease,  wherein, notwithstanding copious
depletion,  the approach of disorganization was  indicated by
a tremulous pulse,  great restlessness,  and tossing on  the
bed.  When exhibited at ah earlier period, or very late in
the disease,  we are of opinion that it was uniformly perni-
cious.                            -,
  Cinchona and the mineral acids, were  exhibited, with-
out,' however, any  manifest benefit.  Generally  speaking
tonic medicines were far less useful in this disease,  than
diffusible  stimulants.  Of this last class Capsicum, Ammo-
nia, Camphor, Champaigne  Wine,  Brandy, etc. were  pre-
ferred.
   It now remains to notice  certain ancipetja remedia,
which, injhe absence of hope from the ordinary methods, ac-
quired the confidence of many of our physicians.  When the 
15
 most approved articles are found unavailing, it  is surely
 commendable to seek additional chances for the alleviation
 of human misery.
   We shall therefore first take a view of Turpentine.  Sev-
 eral physicians  relied much on its efficacy in all stages of
 the disease.   In the  epidemic of 1817, it was exhibited
 from two drachms to half an ounce,  every two hours; in
 those doses it was  said to allay the irritability of the stom-
 ach, and increase the urinary secretion; it was also thought
 to have a good effect in hiccough and black vomit.   No in-
 stances came  under our observation wherein any  positive
 benefit resulted from its use, and as  a convincing  proof of
 its inefficacy, if not its injurious effects in the  primary stage
 of the disease, it is understood, that those who relied on its
 use in 1817,  abandoned it after repeated  trials in  the sub-
 sequent epidemics of 1819 and 1820.
   With regard to the internal use of  cantharides,  in the
 late epidemic,  our experience was too limited to authorise
 any thing like a conclusion.   From the occasional effects of
 turpentine, in the last stages of the disorder, we may by pa-
 rity  of reasoning, anticipate from the use of the lyttce, simi-
 lar, or more  beneficial  results.
   Acetile of lead, recently brought into notice by Doct.
 Irvine, as a remedy in yellow-fever, was several times exhi-
 bited without any decided benefit.  But/urther observation
 and experiment is  wanting,  before we would  pronounce a-
 gainst its efficacy.
   Charcoal.—In the latter part of the season, this article
 was proclaimed by a respectable practitioner, as an agent
 of importance in malignant symptoms.  We can only testify
 to its  efficacy as a remedy in restraining Hemorrhagy, and
 in correcting the acrimony of morbid secretions.
   From the general inefficacy of the  usual modes of prac-
 tice in the secondary stages of yellow-fever, a  spirit of inno-
vation led some of our physicians to the use of the  cobweb
during the late season.   It was then perceived to be an ar-
ticle of much character.  Jn a case which we  have  prefixed 
id
to this  report, it decidedly arrested  morbid  action, and
produced a tranquility of body and mind,  which we do not
recollect to have witnessed from the use of any other article.
  The inferences deduced from the above narration, are ne-
cessarily brief, and in many respects humiliating.  Notwith-
standing the  extended and  meritorious labours of the  last
fifty years,  and the confident assertions of certain  medical
authors, the yellow fever must still be considered an oppro-
bium to the science. Hence the propriety of "recurring to
first  principles," and of restricting our duties as a commit
tee, exclusively to the  relation  of important facts. 
AP^xmx.
                    CASES.  NO, I.
    Apgcst 21, 1820.  J. P. C.  SAMPSON, Esqr.  aged twen-
 ty-six years, of a sanguihe temperament, was seized this MORN-
 ING  with pain  in the head, dawn  the back  and throughout the
 extremities.  Ho also  complained of complete  Lrostration  of
 strength ; and  there wa^ preternatural heat of skin ; pwV slug-
 gish ; tongue of a leaden color, and eyes suffused wiih  Wood.
 M. M. Bl*d immediately to the extent of twenty ounces ; plaeed
 m a tepid bath and scrubbed with brushes—after which,  fifteen
 grins of calomel ^nd twenty of jalap was exhibited,  with !irec-
 tion to use rice water for common drink.  NOOiN—The cathartic
 has operated partially ; pain of the head more severe ; puise full
 and sluggish.   Tepid bath and the applications of brushes  repeat-
 ed—while in the hath two pounds of blood abstracted ; then ad-
 ministered twenty gains i<dap and a half a drachm of the super
 tartiite of potass. EVENING.  Medicine operated  copiously ;
 head  painful;  preternatural hea* of  the skin and no  thirst.
 Tepid bath and frictions ; bled to the extent of two pounds and a
 half ; after which he was lifted (rom the bath and four buckets of
 cold water thrown over him.   Left him much relieved.  Common
 drink at this period, tamarind water.
    August 22.  Had a restless night; some pain over the eyes,
 and dry  skin :  Enema, tepid bath and  oold effusions, followed
 by frictions with Cologne water.  NOON  Pulse soft and natural ;
 an absence of thirst. Exhibited: Calome, twenty grains ; and two
 hours afterwards, castor oil, an ounce and  a half. EVENiNG.
 Medicine produced copious green foeted  stools.  Common drink
 through  the night, lemonade.
    August 23.  Pain over the eyes,  nausia.   Applied blister to
 the forehead and epigastrium.  Calomel exhibited in doses ©f five
 grains every two hours,  and frictions  of mercuria; ointment
 througkout the  day.  EVENING Deficiency of urine.   A  tea
 spoonful of  tcurpentinc every hour through the night.  Enema
 an i mercurial frictions.
    August 24.  Pulse small and sluggish ; eyes suffused with yel-
low.  Infusions of serpentaria and  chincona ;  calomel and terpen-
 tine at siiort interva.s.  EVENING. Hiccough and black-omit.
 Calomel and  musk with Champaigne wine  for common  drink.
Me:ciirial fricpons.
    Aui,'us*25.  Every bad symptom aggravated.  Medicine list
prescribed not exhibited : the patient resolutely refusing compiL- 
II
Mice.  He continued throughout in the possession  of his mental
faculties, aud died  between one and  two o'clock, P. M. on this
day.

                        Xo.  a.
  MR. BROWN,  aged 22, of a delicate habit, was seized  on
the morning of the 31st of August, with rigor,  succeeded by severe
pains of the head and prostration of strength.  Pulse expansive,
tongue natural, eyes suffused with blood.  Bled to  the  extent of
four pounds—syncope, frictions of Cologne water, and lemonade
for common drink.  Noon:  preternatural heat of body, with pain
of the  extremities •. Cathartic and  tepid bath.  Nibht, better  ;
medicine operated freely, stools foetid and of a greenish appear-
rance.
  September  1.  Severe pains: bled to 12 ounces; ehema and
fiictions with Cologne water.  Afternoon : still  pains of   the
head, skin moist:  blister to the  forehead, enema, lemonade  for
common diink
  Sept mber 2.  Tremor:  had a restless night: pulse f mall and
intermetting.  In attempting to rise, he was seized with a spas-
modic  pamxysm.  Exhibited cobweb,  3 grains every two hours,
and fictions of  Vol. Liuameut: common drink,  chicken broth.
Afternoon, much better :  enema and cobweb continued.
  September 4.   Better night than  heretofore :  comrlains  of
 nausia   * obweb and  porter.   September  5,  convalescent.
 Discharged,cnrid, on the  10th instant.
                        3Vo. a.
  Monday, Aug. 23. Rev. Sylvester Larned, aged 24, of sanguine
temparament and plethoric habit, was seized at 2 o'clock, A. M.
with a chill and pains in the head, back and  lower extremities-
visited at 6 o'clock, A. M. chiil continues, pains in the back in-
tense, eyes suffused and watery, stomach unaffected, pulse small:
complains of grett prostration of strength.
  M. M. Pul.  Ja1. and Crem. Tart, and  diluent drink.  Noon,
same day, Cathartic operated partially, stools lequid, great heat
about the neck and breast, countenance flushed, throbing of the
temporal and  caroted  arteries, eyes more   inflamed,, took  16
ounces biood and gave a mercurial cathartic, to be followed by cas-
tor oil : commenced mercuria' frictions in the. afternoon and con-
tinued them throughout the night. 
HI
   Tuesday, 29th.  Symptoms continue with little variation.  Skin
 on the extremities cool, with increase of heat about the head, neck
 and body:  Pulse small,  great prostration of muscular strength,
 tongue slightly discolored, no foecal evacuation.  Medicine con-
 tinued, with the addition of 5 grains calomel, every two hours
 enrmata.
   Wednesday, 30th.  Passed  a  restless ni«>ht; mild delirium and
 frequent  liquid stools, great anxiety and  restlessness tongue red
 about its edges, gums swollen, pain of the  head somewhat abated,
 slight irritability of the stomach aud soreness of the Epigastrum, !
 coldness ef the extremities continues, with dull pain in the mus-
 cles of the legs: Castor oil has passed  through the bowels  unac-
 companied  by foecal discharges, medicines and drinks occasion-
 ally  rejected  by  the stomach,  without bile—paucity of urine.
 Mercurial frictions and medicine continued, with mustard to the
 fe< t, blisters to the extremities ana epigastrium—and stimulant
 injections
   Thursday, 31st. Delerium through  the  night,  without  sleep:
 stom -ch rejects every thing taken into it,  and black vomif occur-
 red at 10 o'clock—no discharge of urine. Fever and p^ins entirely
 abated, skin cold and moist, tongue i' flamed and contracted, ha-
 moirhage from the nose,  pulse small and  feeble, face and  neck
slightly tinged with yellow, black  omit  continued  throughout.
Blisters bad drawn well and were dressed with mercurial ointment,
stimulant injections frequently repeated, diffusible slitm and ani-
mal broths were exhibited with the use of th hot bath: Arterial
action rapid<y declined, difficult respiration supervened, pulsation
at the wrists ceased at 6 o'clock, and at 10 he expired.
                          Xo. 4.
    Thursday, August  24th.  J.  LEACH,  aged 21,  recently
 from  the state of Massachu-etts, of phlegmatic temparamenl, "ight
 hair and blue eyes, but in full health.  Was taken in the forenoon
 with a chill, pains in the head and back,  and frequent vomiting,
 eyes suffused and watery, pnlse small and  very frequent, great de-
 pression of mind and sighing.  M. M. Cathartic, sub. mur. mere.
 et. pul. jal. tepid drinks: mercurial frictions on  the breast, abdo-
 men, and lower extremities every two hours.
  Friday, 26th.  bowels freely evacuated, stools dark and consist-
ant, pains in the head and back more sever* . puNe  more  full and
tense, great heat on the surface, and countenance flushed, hamorr- 
IV
hftge from the Tiose, tongue coated: frictions continued, and alter-
nated with cold affusions—5 grains >ub. mur.  mere, every  two
hours.
  Thursday, 26th.  Passed  a restless night,  great anxiety about
tbe prascordia with frequent reaching, several copious evacuaxions
of dark bilious matter from the bowels towards morning, tongue
thir Idy coated an I of a buff color, gums spongy, pulse fud but less
ten e   :Prcseription? continued.
  Friday 27th. A gende pfyalism eameon dur hg tl»e  ight heat on
tbe sktn diminished and pains ceased—frictions and the use of ca-
lomel dis-onlinued—cathartic of manna and orem. tart, exhibited.
   Saturday. 28th. Convalescent.---And ih a few  days he was  able
to resume his business in a C-Ni-itins-'io'ise.
                       .Vo.  5.
  L* 21 Aout 1820, j'ai v'uitd su^ le soir Mr. L . . . , capitaine de
b aliment Alexandre, en cette ville.depuis 15 jour.% ayant beaucoup
frcquente les ports des Anti.le?, age de 53 ans, francais',  d'un tem-
perament ear guin et ayant la figure tres-haute en couleur.  J", l'ai
trouve" be promenunt avec beaucoup  -^'agitation et de loquacite
dan3  sa  cbambre,  pouls  febril,  langue blanchatre et humide*
eprouvant des lassitudes et des douleurs dans les genoux, avec un
tre-violent mal de tete : perte  d'appetit: " mais cela n'6tait rien,
*'  di.^ait-il, en comparaison des peines morales qu'il eprouvait, et
"  qufil n'avait d'aiUeurs besoin d'aucun remede."  J'ai con9eille
near* moms une boisson acidulee, bain de jambes eynapises et des
lavem* as emoliiens.
   Le second jour de la  maladie, meme lassitude  et douleur tres-
 intente a la tete, rougeur des yeux et  de la  face,  douleur au dos
 et a J'epigastre, nauseVt, poul: grand, mou, intermittent et acc£-
 lere, langue blanchatre, peau brulanta et un peu bumide, point de
 soif:  consultation  d'apres laquelle saignee  dubras d'environ 14
 onces, et pour boisson, creme  de tartre   solubles j.  nitrale de
 potasse 8j. dans une bouteille d'eau sucree.
   Le troisieme, mem.s symp tomes et vomissemens frequens, d'un
 liquide d'abord grisatre et ensuite noir.  Le soir pouls  plus mou
 et plus lent.  J'apprend* que le malade annoncait que dans trois
 jours il serait mort.  Potion anti-Emetique avec la carbonate de
 potasse et 1'acide du citron, catap'a>mes synapisea sur le? jambes.
   Le quatneme jour, au malm  : nuit fans sommcil, mal de tete
 diminue", "facies,'5 d'etonnement, yeux rouges, langue et surrout
 lea aientours des tevresjaunes,  1'dpigastre est douloureux aurtout 
V
par le toucher,  pouls grand, hreguher et tre^-bas, 'urines sup-
pi imees, vomissemens et selles noir&tres.
  Le soir, grande douleur  de 1'abdomen  <j«i fie presente  rien
d'extraordinaire  au tact, heequet  efforts inutile*-du makde poux
poo voir rendre des urines: quelques selles sanguinolentes.
  Le cinquierae, nuit tres-agitee, le malade a rendu plusieurs
selles  contenant b:-aucoup  de sang j»ur et liquids: 'il conserve
neanmoins -es forces e» sa presence d'esptii: ventre douloureux,
soif,, hocquet, leypolimie et mort  a 4 hedres de l'aprei-midi, le
25 Aout 1820.  11 m'a ete" impossible d'en faire t'ouverture cada-
verique.

   September 3d.  Mr. M'GEE, aged  24, of a sanguine tempera-
ment, was seized with a pain in the head and back, prostration of
strength  pulse er.pan ive, great thirst, skin hot \nd dry, and  hur-
ried respiration.  M  M. abstracted 20 ounces of Mood,  which
 alleviated the pain and, induced perspiration: directed him to drink
 copiously of limonade cuite  containing crem. of tart,  an J sulphai.
 of magnesia.
   Sep1 ember 4.  Medicine operated copiously, skin still dry, thirst
 excessive, slight pain in head and loins.  Applied cold water by
 aftVion, afterwards exhibited calomel 1 scruple, and 2 ounces of
 cast'-r oi.—limonade cuite continued.
   September 5th.   Irritability of stomach.  Stimulating clystera,
 cold water to the head and epigastrium—administered 2 <>rachms
 calcined magnesia.
   SsptemHer6th.  Symptoms alleviated—continuedthemedicmes
 of ye-terday.
   September 7th. Convalescent, 
                      TABLE I.
Ah abstract of deaths in tne city of New-Orleans, from
           AugUBt 1817, to December 1320.
Catholic iiuryivg Geo  nd.m   ^i'ro >a ■■«. Burying  Urou <dw
	WHIT*-. COLOTia'D. WHITK. COLOTJ HD.								-
MONTHS.	S < i 1	£ O 1 s	H 0	£ 3 ^ H * ? 2" ft 3 i s a.		sis re 1 y s 3 1 2	Men Total Ihildren	Si g.	
August*	312	8 5		9 14	9	112 7	3 6	3	489 304 172 91
September	7 1	6 19		2 11 3	4	113 10	5 6	4 3	
October	36 1	?l&	1	(» 50 1	9	52 5	5 21	1	
November	16	-' 4	1	0 5 I	8	30 1	0	2	
December	10	3 1	1	2 10 1	9	8	1 6	- "	94
1818									
Jsnuary	7	4 4		12 7 1	6	5	2	3 1	57 73
February	14	3 5		10 10 1	5	5 1		1	
March	9	4 3		12 12 !	6	18 2	2 2	3	
April	14	6 5		21 13 \	9	4 2	2	1 3	37
May	9	7 7		12 19	8	10 4	2 3	2 1	93
June	7	7 12		14 18 '	17	8 1	5	2 5	194
July	11	3 7		17 I"*	to	10	3 7	3 2	14'
August	11	5 5		22 9 '	29	22 4	4 3	1 5	112
September	23	7 5		22|15 S	»9	51 4	1 6	3	166
October	16	7 9		11 9	5	22 3	2	1 5	100
November	20	5l 4		II 9	8	13 1	1 3	1 2	8 *
December	6	l! 5		20 9 1	1	9 1	1 2	2	67
1819									
January	23	2 3		9 6 1	3	6	3 1	1 3	70
February	18	10		7 17 1	7	I 21	2 2	3 3	83
March	16	4 5		9 15 i	24	8 2	3; 3	3 5	97
April	22	1 5		9 9i	24	6 1	2 7	Z	78
May	A	4 2		19 5	24	18 2	10 6	5 3	120
June	19	6U		18 10 .	29	20 3	4 2	5 3	130
July	31	6 5		9 14 3	!2	25 2	6 8	1 1	135
August	108 1	1 12		13 16.	52	84 10	8 6	1 1	292
September	208 :	II 19		13 19 <	29	205 41	18 3	6 2	594
October	118 1	8 14		12 12 <	24	80 12	8 6	6 3	313
November	44	6 15		7 10	9	21 3	5 4	1	126
December .	32	5 6		11:17	7	8| 3	1 3 2	2 3	100
1820									
January	22	3 5		1210	5	6 2	2 3	1 2	83
February	24	2 7		6 5	L9	14 1	4 1		83
March	21	5 4		12 10	14	7 2	4 2	1	82
April				1		7 1	3	1 2	15
May	24	4 13		13 7	82	12	6 2	1 2	in
Juiio	25	4 5		1	1	24 r	12 18	9 10	122
Ju'y	61	8 7		16 5	16	25 i	3 2	1 2	260
August	116	6 10		13	17	! 93 11	8 2	4 4	':89
September	152	9 19		13 6	22	153 11	7 5	5	1 40 i
October	70	5 7		14 14	11]	37 i	9 4	I	177
November	25	1 1		5 7	9	10	8	3 2	72
December	'-'5	5		6 7	I1	8 \	I 3 2	4 2	65
   \lt deaths that ocoin-red in the Charily ami Marine Hospitals, are enibiaced in
die Catholic burying ground—not more, perhaps, than one out ot a hundred was
innured to the climate.
  t 27" ol these me a were interred from the charity hospital.     , 
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Children
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Men
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W-Miien		~	— — "" —	-«^-	c«	—	—
Men ~1	~*		"■*	'—	-*		
t.'hiv'ren |	—		— _ —	«« —			— G»
Women
Mei.
<?< in t — —i — ^f^st - go —   GO'-so-^t^GoeoGocH-nco^r — cooovn —
August   j-  u                 i^-^i-i^i-i — t*««»-^,6<e»«s<e*e<s<<Hc<<?i<M«jc3 
TABLE nr.
A det*2; ofBeaflis, ane state of the weather, for S'eptemBer.
                       1820
Catholic Burying
    Ground.
Protestant Bu-
rying Ground,
	White. |ColorM.					
1 B	■"6 s	3 o S 2	p	f	—4 "-"I or 3 2	
-v?	- —	—	—		— —-	
1	11			1		
2	8				I 2	
S	6		1		, 1	
4	8	2		1	i	
5	s		1		! |	
6	10	u 1	1	1	i	
7	9				; ! 2	
8	11		2			
9	, 9		3		: i!	
10	, 6	1			1	
11	9	1			1	
12	2		2			a
13	7			1	1 1	
14	8		1		1	
15	5		1	1	1	
H>	8	1				
17	4	i	2		t	
18	6					I
19	r>			1		
20	8	1		1		
21	2		1	1	2	
22	2	1		2	1 l	
23	1		1		i 3	
24	4		1			.3
25	6		1	1		
26						1
27	2		1	I		
2ti	2			1		2
29 80	2		,,<			
White iColor'd.
?*
METEOROLOGICAL.
  . ™~ > State of the weather
rature. 3      J
3\
  da,
 rain
cloudy
 d ar
  do.
  do.
  do.
  do.
thond.
 clear
  do. 
TABLE  IV.
A detail of deaths and state of the weather, for October.
                     1820.
Catholic Burying							Protestant Bu-											
Ground.							rying Ground.						METEOROLOGICAL.					
White. HColor'd.							White.|Color'd.						tempe- > ^.^ rature. 5				of the weather	
o ft o cr	3	o S	"EL a		o 3 « 3	C	3 3 3			3	3 e 3 n 3	c a. o	>	2 © 3	<x y	8A.M.	\ ■ Noon.	8 PM.
-.-	—:	-v^	•--	_	-	—	___		_	—	_	___	—	_	—	v^v-*^	»-»-✓*%!'	•~*-^»-
1	3	1		1			1		1				71	78	75	clear	clear	clear
2	2						1			1			71	78	72	do,	do.	do
c	2					1	3 1						72	79	75	foggy	do.	do
4	5			1		]	8		2				70	70	75	clear	do.	r^in
5	5	I					1		1		1		71	80	74	do.	do.	clea/
6	4				1		2						72	77	73	do.	do.	dq
7	S						1						67	78	75	do.	rain	do
8	5	1	1				3						74	75	72	do.	: clear	do
9				2	1		1						69	78	75	rain	do.	do'
10	1	1	1	1		1	J						70	73	70	clear	do.	do
11	2						2 1		1				57	65	50	rain	do.	do
12	8		-,	2		1	1 1						56	78	66	clear	do.	da
13	2		1	1	2		2						69	81	72	do.	do.	do
14	8				2		1.						68	63	55	o'ercast	do.	do
15					1		4'						46	56	55	rain	do.	do
16	3			1		1	H						46	54	50	clear	do.	do
17				1		1				1			50	60	60	do.	do.	do
18	2		1			1							57	63	60	do.'	do.	do
19	3			1	1	1							55	64	60	do.	do.	do
20					2	1				1			55	67	60	do.	do.	do
21	3				2		1		1				53	60	50	do.	do.	do
22	3		]				i						46	59	50	do.	do.	, do
23	1			1	1	,	1						49	64	50	do.	do.	do
24	2			1			1						55	70	65	do.	do.	do
25; i						1							53	55	51	do.	do.	do
26 2		1											J45	57	48	do.	do.	do
27 2										1			49	61	56	do.	do.	do
281 ]			I		1		2						J48	59	50	do.	do.	do
291 1							2						J49	62	55	do.	do.	do
30 S						1	1						;55	65	63	do	6'einast	rain
3ll		1	!	l|			1		3				C.i	ab	64	cloudy	d».	daik.
 
•Members oi the YY\^s\cq-Medical Society
                of i^e^w-Orleans.
                     FELLOWS.
       Drs. William Rogers, President.
       R. C. Randolph, Vice President.
       R. Davidson, Treasurer.
       William N. Mercer, Corresponding Secretary.
       S. W. Packwood, Recording Secretary.
Drs. G. C. Forsyth.
    Geo. Marshall.
    E. S. Alexander.
    W. W. New.
    David Holt.
    J. M. S. O. Conway.
    J. Ludlow.
    Stephen Allen.
    ——— Debow.
   ASSESSORS.
Drs. Dow.
        CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
Drs. D. C. Ker.
    Trabuc.
    Geradin.
    Hunter.
    Deveze.
    Keutz.
    Smith.
Rev. James Hull.
Hon. F. L. Turner.
      LOUISIANA.
General Wilkinson.
J. A. Smith.
E. H. Barton.
     MISSISSIPPI.
Carmichal.
Perlee.
Provan.
Cox.
Cosby.
Ker.
     LEXINGTON.
C. Caldwell, Professor.
H. Holly.
H. Hunt.
B. W. Dudley, Professor.
     CINCINNATI.
Drake, Professor.
V. C. Marshall.
     TENNESSEE.
Hog.
Goodlet
       VIRGINIA.
B. R. Willford-
Buck.
Trent.
     WASHINGTON.
H. Hunt
      BALTIMORE.
J. B. Davidge, Professor.
N. Potter, Professor.
    PHILADELPHIA.
Pliysick, Professor.
Chapman, Professor.
Barton, Professor.
Parish.
O'Brien Laurence.
       NEW-FORK.
V. Mott, Professor.
D. Hossack, Professor.
J. W. Francis, Professor.
S. L. Mitchell, Professor.
J. Dake,
    CONNECTICUT.
E. Ives.
    U. STATES' ARMY.
J. Lovell.
Senter.
Bell.
Hornev.
    U. STATES' NAVY.
Cutbush.
Butler.
Heap.
A. A. Evans.
        FRANCE.
Chervin, 
OF THE CITY  AND SUBURBS OF NEW-ORLEANS.

                  For the year 1820,
White Men      -                  Q5*90
White Women      -    -    -      36^
White Children   -    -    -     -    3397

                            Total 13,=>84
Coloured Men      -                f/J.
Coloured Women      -    -    -     °I0b
Coloured Children  -                4712
Total  13,592
      13,584
Grand total of White and Coloured  27.17G
  Tlie above statement embraces the incorporated City and
its former Suburbs.  The aggregate population  of the
New Suburbs, is 18,810,- making the entire Census of the
City arid its Environs,  45,986.