ARMY MEDICAL LIBRARY WASHINGTON Founded 1836 Section.. Number......?_-?„£_£_ Fobm 113c. W. D.. S. G. O. (Keviaed June 13, 1936) AN , faj ACCOUNT OF THE WHICH OCCURRED IN THE CITY OF NEW-YORK, IN THE TO WHICH IS PKEFIXED A brief sketch of the different Pestilential Diseases, with which this City was afflicted, IN THE Years 1798, 1799, 1803 & 1805, WITH THE OPINION 0F SEVERAL OF OUR MOST EMINENT PHYSICIANS, RESPECTING THE ORIGIN OF THE DISEASE, ITS PREVENTION AND CURE. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A CORRECT LIST OF ALT. THE DEATHS BY YELLOW FEVER DURING THE LATE SEASON,-m ~0.s said to hive been at- tended with the most malignant symptoms; but such was the general opinion of the inhabitants with respect to the healthiness of our city, that his death excited little or no alarm, It was believed that Mr. Smith had been taken sick at his store, in Front-street, near Coenties-shp, and a few days after his death, several persons were attack- ed with sickness in that vicinity. The symptoms of their disorders however, appeared to be similar to that of a common cold. They were, therefore, negligent in ob- taining medical aid; hence the disease got the ascendancy before they were aware of their danger, and the assist- ance of physicians was called for when it was too late. Whether any case of pestilential fever existed m the earlier part of August, remote from the place where it was believed to have originated, was not, at the time, ascertained to a certainty; but of this, there was no doubt, viz. that about the 20th of the month, cases of a highly malignant nature appeared indifferent parts of the city on the same day, and in the course of six or eight days in different streets very remote from one another. In particular it began to rage with great violence at the New-slip; in Cliff-street and John-street; but more es- pecially in Rider-street and Eden's-alley, where not a family escaped it, nor was there a house except two, in which it did not terminate fatally to one or more indivi- duals. . The Health Commissioners began to be apprehensive resoecting the appearance of this pestilence, so early as the Cth of August, on which day, they addressed a letter to the Mayor. It was to the following purport, viz. that "the unfinished state of the docks in Front-street, between Coenties and the Old Slips, generally, had been, in their opinion, a source of disease, in that neighbour- hood, lastvear, and had occasioned the death of several THE YELLOW FEVER. 3 valuable citizens. That they cannot sufficiently regret, that they had reason to renew their remonstrances on this subject, and that its present situation was likely to be productive of still greater evils than those of last year. They added, that several persons had sickened in the neighbourhood of these unfinished grounds within a week and with symptoms strikingly characteristic of yellow fe- ver, and they recommended, that the Common Council would appoint two of their members, with whom they (the Commissioners) would meet, at an early hour, on the ensuing morning, to concert measures adapted to the emergency of the case. The board very cheerfully com- plied with this recommendation, and such measures were immediately adopted as were deemed most likely to check the progress of the growing malady; but it had now tak- ing so deep root, that it could neither be eradicated nor checked by human means. On the same day (Gth August) the Commissioners is- sued an advertisement, notifying their determination to p'it the laws in force against those, who should neglect to Jkeep the streets clean before their respective doors, &c. adding that the Street Inspectors were directed to report all offences of this nature to the Police, and that the pen- alty against offenders would be rigidly exacted. On the 12th, 13th and 14th of August, there were heavy showers of rain; that on the 14th commenced at four in the morning:, and continued without intermission until nine with considerable thunder. The quantity which fell, during these five hours, was supposed to have been greater than had, at any time, fallen, during the same space of time, for many years. The streets were cov- ered with water in many places knee deep, and a vast number of cellars were filled with it. It was, at the time, generally, believed, that this ex- cessive rain and thunder would have so purified the air, that the city would, in a few days, be totally exempt from any cases of this disorder; but, alas! our expecta- tions were dreadfully disappointed. It is well known, that stagnant water in confined places, during hot wea- ther will, in a few days, exhale a pestilential vapour. which, if it does not generate, will certainly propagate ov 4 AN ACCOUNT OF throw into more extensive circulation, dangerous disc eases, which have already made their appearance. To. prevent an occurrence of this kind, the citizens were re- peatedly and most earnestly entreated by the Health Commissioners to cause the water to be removed, and lime afterwards to be liberally scattered in their cellars. Although it might have been reasonably expected, that a regard to self-preservation would have produced & prompt compliance with this recommendation, it is well known, that many neglected it, and of those not a few were amongst the first victims to the disease. From this time, the number of deaths almost daily increased. About the 24th of August, numbers began to leave the city, and many of those, who had offices for the transac- tion of business, towards the East River, moved to Broadway, which was deemed more healthy. The Cus- tom-IIouse, in Mill-street, and the Insurance Office in Water-street, were" fixed, for the time, in the Tontine City Tavern in Broadway. During the whole month of August, the number of deaths amounted to three hundred and twenty-nine. As particular attention was not paid by the sextons, during this month to distinguish those, who fell victims to the fever, from those who had djed of other disorders, it was difficult to ascertain their precise numbers. It was be- lieved, however, that by fixing it at one hundred, it would not be far from the truth. On the I5th of August, the deaths were 14, from which day the number contin- ued to progress, so that on the 1st of September, they amounted to 23. The daily averages during August was about 12. On the 15th of September, the number of funerals was .:s, on the 19th they were no less than 63, and on each of the two following days, they were reduced to 40, from which circumstance hopes were entertained, that oiw mortal foe was about to leave us; but we were again dis- appointed, for the next four days, it kept fluctuating be- tween 41 and 50, and on the 26th, rose up to 60. "The, lotal number of deaths, during this month was eleven hun- dred and fifty-two, of whom nine hundred and fifty-four died of fever. The daily average through the month wa» about 38, THE YELLOW FEVER. The number of the dead on the 1st of October was 43, and this was the greatest number, during the whole month. On the 18th it was reduced to 16, and on the 21st it only amounted to 9. After this the number of deaths on any one day, during the existence of the calamity, did not exceed 15, and it is almost certain, that had our absent citizens attended to the advice of the Health Committee, dissuading them from a premature return, the death war- rant of the disorder might have been dated from that day. The whole number of funerals in October was five hun- dred and twenty-two, of whom four hundred and thirty- one died of fever. The average of the deaths, during this month, was about 17- On the 10th of November, the deaths were 5, and, on each of the preceding days, they were only 4. The to- tal number, during these ten days were 83, of whom thirty-nine died of yellow fever. The following address of the Committee to the public now made its appearance. " The Health Committee for the relief of the sick and indigent in the city of New-York, beg leave to congratu- late their fellow citizens, that under Divine Providence. this long afflicted city is once more restored to its usual state of general health, and, with the most heartfelt plea- sure, inform those, who yet remain in exile, that although a few cases of the pestilential fever exist, yet that by the late cold weather and frost, the contagion is so far de- stroyed, as to render the return of their families to the thy perfectly safe, provided they take the necessary pre- vious measures of cleansing and ventilating their long un- aired dwellings, and purifying the bedding and clothing, which may have been left therein during the prevalence of the fever." " It would have afforded the Committee much satisfac- tion, could they have given this invitation, at an earlier period, but they did not conceive themselves warranted by the then existing circumstances. There have, until the present moment, been several new cases of fever, particidarly among those citizens, who returned earlier than the committee thought prudent, many of whom have fallen victims to the devouring pestilence, This., B 2 o AN ACCOUNT OF anions; other circumitances, has induced the committee to withhold this invitation until the present time, &c." The whole number of deaths, during this awful calami- ty was two thousand and eighty-six, viz. eleven hun- dred and ten men, five hundred and eighty-nine women, and eight hundred and eighty-five children. Of these, it we admit, that one hundred died of the fever in August, its. victims would amount to one thousand five hundred and twenty-four. A great many of our citizens too, who fled, were likewise cut off by it. Hence it is probable, that the whole number of deaths would be between 2400 and 2500 An awful number! indeed; particularly if we consider, that more than one third, some suppose, that one half of the inhabitants had left the city. An opinion generally prevailed, that the progress of the disease varied according to the state of the atmos- phere; but from my observations on this subject, in the years 1798, 1799, 1800, 1803, 1805, and also, in the present year, I am much inclined to doubt its accuracy. The pestilence walketh in darkness, and the wisest of men, as yet, know very little of the nature of its progress. Of this, however, we may be certain, that cool mornings and evenings, accompanied by hot days, contribute great- ly to spread infection; that in case of yellow fever having for some time, existed in a city, it is extremely dangerous for those, who have fled to return to their houses, till tha hard frost shall set in, and that a keen black frost has uniformly and almost instantaneously put an end to the- further progress of the disorder. I have been frequently asked since the commencement of the late epidemic, what proportion the number of deaths bore to that of the cases reported in the year 1798. 0( this I am not able to procure any authentic document If 1 remember right, however, I believe, that, during the month of August, nearly one half of those, who were reported, died, and after that period the proportion di- minished to about one third. With respect to the hospital at Bellevue, to which a number of sick persons were sent from the c;ty, we have a correct report of the number of cases and deaths, in my "Account of the Malignant Fever" in 1798, e> THE YELLOW FEVER. '■ 7' pressed in the following words. ". The whole number of" persons admitted from August 1st, to 3d November, after" which none were received, was three hundred and eigh- ty-nine, of whom two hundred and eighty-nine were from the city, and one hundred seamen. Of the former, one hundred and seventy-two died, and one hundred and se- venteen were discharged. The latter were more fortu- nate ; for of them only thirty-three died; the other sixty- seven recovered/' " From the above statement, which may be depended upon as correct, the following question naturally occurs. How came it, that a much greater proportion of seamen recovered at this hospital, than of those sent thither from the city ? The answer is this. The seamen were, in general, sent there in the first stage of the disorder, whereas many of our citizens, from the fears, which they entertained respecting the hospital, could not be prevail- ed on to permit themselves to be removed thither, till they were past recovery." " There is one thing very remarkable, with respect to the attendants of this hospital, which ought not to be omitted. Their situation, to most people, must have, no doubt, appeared peculiarly dangerous, as they were literally surrounded by pestilence. It so happened, how- ever, that neither physicians, nurses, nor washerwomen oaught the infection. The boatmen too belonging to the Health Office, who entered the hospital at all times, and were not only engaged in bringing the sick from the city and shipping; but, likewise, in removing them from place to place, enjoyed a uniform state of good health; and of those persons, who accompanied their friends, and relations, stayed with them and nursed them, there is not a single instance of an individual being infected. In short, Dr. Douglass, one of the assistant physicians, was the only person, residing there, who was seized with fe- ver; but he had been in the habit of occasionally visiting his friends in the city, and three days previous to his be- ing taken ill, had slept in a house, the vicinity of which was highly infected; and it is more than probable, tb&t his sickness was occasioned by that cause." $ AN" ACCCUIi * Ol- The following is a comparative statement of deaths^ during the Pestilential Fever of 1793 in Philadel- phia, 1795 in New-York, and 1798 in New-York and Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, in the year 1793 - - 4041 New-York, - - - - 1795 - - 732 New-York, .... 1798 - - 2086 Philadelphia, in the same year, - - 3506 I have thus finished my observations, concerning the sickness, which prevailed in the year 1798. 1 shall now make a few remarks concerning that, which occurred, in the year 1799. There was, then, a very considerable alarm, in consequence of a sickness, which, by some, waft supposed to have originated from the exhalations arising from grounds, lately made, while others maintain.- ed, that it had been introduced by some vessel or vessels from one of the sickly ports in the West Indies. With respect to the origin of this disease, a diversity of opinion then existed, amongst our most respectable physicians, and though much has been written on the subject, at that time and afterwards, the point in dispute still remains unsettled. The disease originated towards the end of July, in the vicinity of the Old Slip, and was, in general, Confined to the streets in the neighbourhood of the East River. As, during the sickly period of that year, I was at the Marine Hospital on Staten Island, I had not the same opportunity of observing its progress, as I had in the preceding and subsequent years, in which it made its appearance. But of this one fact, I had the most con- vincing proof, viz. that the disease was not contagious in a pure air. During the months of July, August and October, there were in all about two hundred and fifty persons sick of Yellow Fever in the Marine Hospital, a great part of whom were from the shipping, the rest from the city. At that time, there were of physicians, nurses, washerwomen, boatmen, and my family, composed of myself, my wife, and three children, thirty-seven persons, wot one of whom, although daily and hourly amongst th$ THE YELLOW FEVER. 9 sick, experienced the least indisposition. The physi- cians were the late Richard Bayley, Health Officer, Jo- seph Bayley, the present Health Officer, and two others. They were incessant in the discharge of their duty, and, at least, two out of three of their patients recovered. Before I conclude this article, it may not be improper to state the different opinions, which prevailed amongst medical gentleman respecting the origin of this dreadful disease. From what I have already mentioned respect- ing the letter from the Health Commissioners to the Common Council of date 6th August, it is obvious, that not only they, but a number of other respectable physi- cians believed in its local origin, and assigned the cause to the made grounds on the East River. Such was the opinion of those, who believed that the disease proceeded from local origin. There were many very respectable physicians, however, as well as other citizens, who thought that it had been imported. I deem it correct to give the opinions on both sides of the subject, and shall, therefore, lay before my readers an extract from a letter, which I received from Mr. Richardson Underhill, a respectable merchant of this city, dated the 30th December, 1798. This gentleman was not a phy- sician; but in the opinion of Doctor Hosack, he contri- buted very much to the recovery of the sick. I well re* member, that he was incessant in his labours, and that they were, in general, crowned with uncommon success. " In a mind void of prejudice," says he, " it is more difficult to form an exact opinion of the origin of this dis- order, than most people, upon a transient view of the subject would suppose. For my own part, neither my education, nor my inclination, will permit me to form any theories, concerning the first engendering of pesti- lence, from combinations of gases, or other causes. The dens in which it is bred, and in which it lurks, until it issues forth to seize its prey, are more proper objects for- persons in my sphere of life to explore. To this purpose, I have frequently revolved in my mind, whether it was an imported or homebred disorder, several circumstances concurring to produce an opinion of its being the latter. The very rapid progress of it. during a very hot summer j,. 10 AN ACCOUNT OF just after a very heavy fall of rain, which stagnated in al- most an innumerable number of cellars and back yards; the malignancy of it in the neighbourhood of some of those cellars, many of them stowed with large quantities of pu- trid beef, in the neighbourhood of filthy sewers, or other nuisances, and also from its spreading in Golden Hill and Cliff-street, which are in a Northerly direction, from some of those dens of pestilence I have just mentioned, and of course liable to be acted upon by the prevailing South winds. But however well founded this opinion may be, with respect to the agency of those things, in producing the disease, yet with all those other facts, which I will relate, I am almost induced to believe, that all is not to be charged to them. They rendered the neighbourhood highly combustible; but, perhaps, a spark of contagion might be necessary to produce so dreadful a conflagration. The first appearance of the disorder was in Front-street near Coenties-Slip, where Melancton Smith died, about the 28th or 29th of July, and on the 30th, Peter A. Schenck was taken severely sick. The following week, one Wilson M. Smith, Junior, Peter Dustan and wife had slight attacks, from which it spread to other families in a very short time.* " The next appearance of the fever was at the house of Henry Mead, at the lower corner of the west side of New- Slip. Some time, in July, the ship Fame, said to have arrived from one of the West-India Islands, came to the wharf next below New-Slip, and lay there for some time. About the 3d or 4th of August, some people went to dis- charge her ballast and pump her out; amongst the ballast was a quantity of damaged coffee, extremely putrid, which, with the water discharged from the pump, was so offensive to the smell, that the neighbours were induced to shut their windows, especially while eating. About the 6th of said month, the following persons spent a con- siderable part of the day at Mead's house, John and Ebe- * The people of this neighbourhood laid the blame of their sickness to the schooner Fox, which arrived from Jeremie be- tween the middle and latter part of July, and hauled to a wharf a little east of Coenties-Slip, where she unloaded, aud upon pumping her out, her bilge water was very offensive. THE YELLOW FEVER. 11 hezer Taylor, Sylvanus Seaman, Monmouth Hubbs, Walter Davis, Augustus Peck, and a young man clerk in a store near the Exchange. Most of these dined there, and, during their dinner, they were under the necessity of shutting up the doors and windows, though the weath- er was very warm, so exceedingly were they annoyed, by the stench from the ship. Of this company collected from several quarters and who dispersed to their respect- ive homes, not a single one escaped severe sickness, which they were taken with in from four to five days, and of which John and Ebenezer Taylor died. Two persons belonging to the family were also sick. The next house above this, (there being none below it) was, at the same time, visited, and of five persons, three were taken dangerously ill and two died. In the second house above, three more persons were sick at the same time and one died, and the family of the house next to tins shared a similar fate, three were sick, two of whom died in a very short time. Many of the boatmen, whose ves- sels lay in the Slip, at this period fared no better, a num- ber of them being victims to this stench or the contagion it produced." After some other observations, he con- cludes thus. " From these facts, it appears, that the sickness in this quarter was caused by the ship; whether it was created in her or brought from another country, I Cannot undertake to determine; but be it as it may, the fever was undoubtedly there contagious, and spread to distant parts of the town by means of the sick; the bodies of the inhabitants having (as I suppose) been rendered ripe for its reception. From here I can trace it to the neighbourhood of Golden-Hill, where a man named Har- per, died in Gold-street on the 11th of August. One Fowler died on the 18th of the same month in John-street, and the third victim was Solomon Carl, who died on the 20th in Gold-street. Harper imputed the origin of his sickness to his having crossed the deck of the ship be- forementioned three days before he was taken." The benevolence of the wealthy inhabitants of our city as well as those of the state and different parts of New- Jersey, reflected the greatest honour on the character of 6ur countrymen. Upon this occasion, upwards of #7000 f2 AN ACCOUNT OF in cash was sent to the Health Committee for the relief of the afflicted; and beef, pork, sheep, butter, cheese, flour, rye and indian meal, buckwheat, potatoes, fowls, turnips, wood, &c. &c. were brought into the city, the value of which it would be difficult to ascertain; but which, in all probability could not amount to less than $40,000. During the whole of this calamitous period, such was the extraordinary liberality of our fellow-citizens in granting donations, and such the unremitting attention of the com- mittee in distributing them, that notwithstanding the dis- tressed were by far more numerous than at any previous period in this city; yet there was no individual at a loss for the necessaries of life, for medical aid, or for nurses, A brief account of the Yelloto Fever, which prevailed in the City of New-York, in the year 1803. From the year 1798 to the year 1803, there were,-in every year, in the sickly season, some sporadic cases of Yellow Fever. But except in the years 1799 and 1803, they had excited no great alarm. In the jrear 1803, the number of cases reported was 1639, and the deaths by malignant fever amounted to 606. The hospital at Bellevue was, in that year, opened on the 12th day of August and closed on the 7th of November, during which period were admitted Of Malignant Fever patients, - - - - 170 Of various other diseases, - - - - - 21 Total 191 The deaths which occurred were Of Malignant Fever, - - - 100 Phthisis Pulmonalis, - - l Diarrhoea, - - - - _ 2 103 Discharged cured, - - - 88 \§\ iHL ILLLOW fEVER. \3 Of the Yellow Fever, in the year 1803, we have an accurate account, from the official letter, which was writ- ten by the late Dr. Miller, then Resident Physician to his Excellency the Governor. From this letter I extract the following. " The commencement of the disease took place, about the 20th of July, and from that time, it continued to pre- vail, in a greater or less degree till the end of October. The number of deaths, in this city, amounted to five hundred and three; those at the Hospital of Bellevue, to one hundred and three, and those at the Marine Hospital on Staten Island, to sixty-eight, making a total of six hundred and seventy-four. To this should be added, an indefinite number, about fifty or sixty, who fled from the city, and died of this disease, in the neighbouring coun- try and villages. The first public alarm arose from some fatal cases, at the Coffee-House Slip and in that neighbourhood. About the same time, the disease was discovered in many other parts of the city, without any known intercourse or com- munication between the persons, who fell sick. Al- though the number of cases, even at the worst periods of the epidemic, could not be pronounced to be great, espe- cially, if compared with some preceding seasons, they were certainly more generally diffused, and left fewer parts of the city exempt than on any former occasions. Broadway and some of the adjacent parts of the town re- tained their healthy character. The streets lying near the margins of the two rivers, and some of those in the upper part of the city, which are principally inhabited by indigent, uncleanly and dissolute classes of the communi- ty, suffered the worst ravages of the disease. The alarm of the inhabitants was very suddenly produced, and the suspension of business and the desertion of the city far exceeded what had been ever experienced in former seasons." The Doctor, after stating his opinion, concerning the source from which this epidemic was derived, makes the following very judicious observations, which I deem it proper to transcribe for the consideration not only of the present, but also of every future Board of Health. 14 AN ACCOUNT Or " The different opinions," Stiys he, <•' concerning fhe origin of Yellow Fever, would seem on a slight survey ti the subject, to lead to very different means of prevention and public safety; but a more attentive consideration will impress the opposite consideration. Both parties insist on the necessity of detaining and cleansing foul and sick- ly vessels. The importers of Yellow Fever from abroad,, for the purpose of excluding contagion, and the advocates- of domestic generation, for the purpose of removing that filth, which, by the operation of heat, is so readily con- veyed into poisonous vapours." u As to the removal of nuisances in the city, and ren- dering it as clear and pure as possible, all parties, even on their own principles^ ought to be equally agreed. Yellow Fever is known to spread and prevail, in certain seasons, in this city. But it is also known, that, at such times, it cannot spread and prevail in the adjacent coun- try and villages. In every season of this epidemic at New-York, multitudes have fled to the country, to New- ark, Elizabethtown, Brunswick, &e. where they have been seized with the disease, and have died, without communicating it to any of the inhabitants of those places. The difference of condition and circumstances between such towns and this city, which, in the one case, anni- hilates the disease, at the death or recovery of the patient, and in the other, causes it to spread and become epi- demic, must entirely consist m the absence of nuisances from the former, and in the accumulation and predomi- nance of them in the latter. It seems, therefore, to fel- low of course, that the great des-iderium towards ban- ishing Yellow Fever from New-York, however it may be supposed to originate, is such a degree of cleanliness and purity as may be found in the villages of the neigh' bourhood, or as near an approximation to it as possible. Such a system of police as this, vigorously adopted and enforced, aided by the regulations of the Health Estab- lishment on Staten Island, would, in my judgment, com- pletely secure this city from the ravages of" the Yellow Fever." '1'lllii ILLLUU' ii^VER. 15 A brief account of the Yellow Fever, which prevailed in the City of Nnw-York, during the year 1805. Having before me a letter from the late Doctor Edward Miller, then Resident Physician, to his Excellency Gov- ernor Lewis, I cannot do better than transcribe a part of it, as containing a more accurate account of the Yellow Fever of this year than I could otherwise have easily ob- } lined. Jt is dated New-York, January 12///, 1S06. <• SIR, The malignant disease, which prevailed in this city, for a considerable part of lust autumn, Inning-ceas- ed about the beginning of November, it becomes my duty to 1 \v before your Excellency such an account of it, as my official situation has enaiied me to collect. 1 under- take this task with the more readiness, and shall examine the subject with the more attention, as this disease has lately acquired great additional importance from the fre- quency of its recurrence, the extent of its ravages, and the new and alarming points of view, in which it is now considered by the nations of Europe. The embarass- ment of our commerce, on this account, in foreign ports, has been increasing for scvaral years; they are already become oppressively great; they are likely hereafter to become still greater: and nothing hat a thorough investi- gation of the subject, and the adoption of a wise and ma- ture system of measures, will be sufficieut to ascertain and set in operation any adequate means of relief." * In former seasons, it has been usual to observe spo- radic cases of this disease, for several weeks, before the commencement of the epidemic. This was remarkably verified in the late season; and such cases deserve the more attention, as they furnish the best means of calcula- ting the probability of approaching pestilence. Accord- ingly, one case of a decidedly malignant character was observed in the month of June; several took place in July; a still greater number in August; and at the be- ginning of September, they had become so numerous hn X6 AN ACCOUNT OF' to ascertain the existence of the epidemic. Throughout September and October, the disease continued to prevail with more or less severity, according to the fluctuating state of the weather; but towards the close of the latter month, the coldness of the season had evidently checked its progress; and at the beginning of November, the city was nearly restored to its usual health." " During the early period of the epidemic, nearly all the cases took place on the eastern side of the city, in Front, Water and Pearl Streets, and principally below Burling-Slip. They afterwards became more generally diffused. About the 20th of September, they began to prevail near the North River.* On the whole, the low grounds on the margin of the two rivers certainly produ- ced a chief part of the cases. The number of deaths in the city, amounted to about two hundred; those at the Bellevue Hospital to 52, and those in the Marine Hospi- tal, sent from the city, to twenty-eight. The number of cases of Malignant Fever reported to the Board of Health, amounted to ^ix hundred. It is proper, likewise, in esti- mating the extent of the epidemic, to notice an unascer- tained number, probably about forty, who after their flight from the city, died in various parts of the country. " The source of this disease forms a most interesting subject of inquiry; on the success of which must depend all rational and adequate means of preventing and eradi- cating the evil. After a long and careful investigation of the subject, I cannot hesitate to conclude, that a perni- cious exhalation or vapour floating in the atmosphere, is the primary and essential cause of this disease. " No communication of the disease," says the Doctor, was ever observed in Yellow Fever Hospitals, situated at a small distance from the cities, to which they belong, * A similar extension of the disease, in the epidemic of 1803, was ascribed by many, to the removal of shipping from the East to the North River. As no such removal to that part of the city took place in the late season, it is necessary to explain the fact in some other way. This becomes very easy, when it is recol- lectod, that the made ground on the North River is much less extensive, and the materials composing it much less foul and corrupt, than that on the East River. The miasmata come to maturity on the one side two or three weeks sooner than oa th« other. THE YELLOW FEVER. T7 No exception to this has ever occurred in any of the nu- merous seasons of this pestilence, at our Hospital at Believue, the Marine Hospital on Staten Island, that of Philadelphia, or any other in the United States, provi- ded the malignant air of the city had been avoided. The force of this fact seems never to have been duly consider- ed or appreciated. The numerous retinue of medical attendants, nurses, washerwomen, servants, &c. which belong to our hospitals, must be known to every body. How greatly they are all exposed to contagion, if it could be supposed to exist in this case, is equally known. Tihe most malignant cases of the disease are constantly found in these Institutions. The exposure of physicians and their assistants is well understood. The duty of the nurses leads to an incessant and unreserved intercourse with the sick; they pass the greater part of their time and sleep in the apartments of the sick, the dying and the dead." " The nurses, at Believue Hospital, became so entire- ly free from all apprehensions of the contagiousness of this disease, that they often slept on the same bed, with the sick, and it happened more than once, in the course of the season, that a nurse overcome with fatigue and want of sleep, threw herself in the night, for a little re- pose, on the bed of a dying patient, and continued there asleep, till the patient was dead, and it became necessa- ry to remove the corpse." Of the number of cases, at Believue Hospital, which was opened on the 9th of September and closed on the 28th of October, the following is the account of the City Inspector. The number of patients admitted amounted to 1 75 Of whom the malignant cases were - - - 149 i Other diseases, --------- 26 The deaths, which occurred, were as follows: Of Malignant Fever,......52 Of other diseases, ------- 17 Discharged cured, ------- 10(i 175 .€ 2 »s AN ACCOUNT- O& The physicians of the Hospital remarked, that only *»ne person died, who was admitted on the first day of disease. Of the extreme cases died Within 24 hours after admission, - - 12 hours, ------ 6 hours, ------ 1 hour, ------- 10 minutes, ------ 22 which is nearly one third of the total amount of deaths. The ratio of cures from Malignant Fever to deaths hy the same disorder is very nearly two thirds, a circum- stance, which considering, that most of the patients were sent there in the last stage of disease, reflects the highest credit on the practice of Doctors Walker and Winfield, the visiting and resident physician. In the year 1803, the number of deaths considerably exceeded one half the cases. During the season of 1805, viz. between the 18th of July and 28th of October, sixty-four patients were sent from the city to the Marine Hospital, of whom 28 died. Of these eight died on the day of arrival, and seven on the day thereafter. The total number of cases reported at the Office of the Board of Health, from the 5th of September to the 25th of October inclusive, amounted to 600. The total number of deaths which occurred in this city and at Believue, during that period, amounted to 262. Dr. John R. B. Rogers, then Health Officer, in an official letter to the Board, dated 19th December, 1805, makes the following observations. " At the quarantine," says he, " there have been constantly from the 1st of June to the 1st of October, a considerable number of ves- sels ; frequently during that time, from forty to fifty, and •n the last day of September, sixty. AH of these vessels had lost some one or more of their crews, or had come from a sickly port; many of them (24 in number) were under the necessity of coming to the public wharf, where 6 3 6 2 THE YELLOW FEVER. 1$ some of them lay the greater part of the season. Of these, a considerable number hove down, others threw out their ballast and cleansed their limbers, some wrer.e sheathed or graved, and all of them overhauled more or less; and of the many officers, seamen and workmen, ship-carpenters, caulkers, riggers, coopers, sail makers, blacksmiths, &c. not one was, in the smallest degree, indisposed, or took any sickness by connection with those vessels; nor has any of those persons, that I know of, been indisposed, except one carpenter, who took sick, some weeks after he left the quarantine ground, and died in the latter end of September in New-York, having ex- posed himself in the poisoned air of the city. Of the pi- lots, who have brought these infected vessels into port, and had frequently slept on board of them, very often one night and sometimes two, before they came to at quar- antine, not one of them or any of their families have been in the smallest degree indisposed from any connection with such vessel. Of those attached to the Health Offi- cer's Department, boatmen, orderlies and attendants, not one has been sick from any infection, or from any connection with the sick or infected vessels. Of the lighterers employed in carrying goods to the city, or bringing cargoes to vessels at quarantine, not one of them was, in the smallest degree, indisposed till the 24th or 25th of September, when one of them was taken with fever, which left him in a few days. Another was seized just after the first and died on the 2d of October. JVeitta er of these had any connection with any foul ship, to which they could attribute their complaint; but they took it from having had a daily intercourse with the eastern part of the city, and from being under the necessity of going into houses and stores in that quarter, and staying longer in them than they had been accustomed to, by reason of the want of hands to receive their goods, in con- sequence of the desertion of that part of the city.^ In this season as well as in every preceding, in which we had been visited by Yellow Fever, it was a subject of deep regret, that a collision of opinion existed not only with respect to the origin, but also in relation to the na-* Jure of the disease. While, on the one hand, it was con* w AN ACCOUNT OF tended, that it was imported from abroad, it was, on the other hand asserted with equal earnestness, that it origi- nated at home, or is generated on board of vessels, which arrive amongst us, and that it is entirely non-contagious. These discordant opinions, maintained by medical gen- tlemen of the first respectability and eminence, and which enter deeply into the passions, as well as the interests of the community have had a very inauspicious influence up- on most of the leading measures, either of prevention or remedy. The advocates of the doctrine of importation, in gene- ral contended, that it had been introduced by a quantity of rags in a vessel from Algesiras, while some attributed it to another vessel. With respect to the rags, Dr. Rod- gers asserts in his report, that they were clean and per- fectly innoxious. They had been prepared in the way they always are for the purposes of commerce; that is, after being first washed clean, dipped into, or through a strong lime water, or an alkaline solution; then dried ■and packed in bags or bales. These rags, thus prepa- red, were shipped some time last spring, from Leghorn. on board of an English vessel for Liverpool or London. The vessel had an health bill from Leghorn, and one also from Algesfras. She arrived here in August, after a passage of sixty-six days of mild weather, during which the hatches were always off in the day time, and the peo- ple almost constantly over the bags. The crew wa6 healthy and had been so during the whole voyage, and the rags dry and in good order. When the bags were ripped open, they gave out a white unoffensive powder— this powder was lime. These rags were landed on the 13th of August, at the end of Coenties' Slip, were there from 8 o'clock in the morning till 12 at noon of the same day, and only for the purpose of being weighed; they were then taken on board of a vessel bound to the East- ward. A sample bag had been at Mr. Hurtin's store, two days previously to landing the rest, and was then taken away. No person received any injury from these rags, nor possibly could, for they were clean and as in- offensive as any article in the city." The Doctor concludes thus, «I have now clearly THE YELLOW FEVER. 21 shewn as far as negative proof can go, that whatever might have been the cause of the late epidemic, it did not arise from any neglect of duty at the Quarantine Ground, nor did it come through that channel." Such was the opinion of Dr. Rodgers, and no one who is acquainted with the character of that gentleman will doubt his veracity. But at that time I think it probable that the greater part of our most eminent physicians believed in its ha- ving been imported. Upon this subject, I shall lay be- fore my readers, the two following extracts from letters written by Dr. Hosack to the Board of Health. The first is dated 5th August, 1805. After giving a particu- lar description of the case of a Mr. James Dougherty, whom he had visited, in consultation with the late Dr. Riddle, he thus expresses himself. " Having never met with a case of fever attended with the above mentioned symptoms, that could not be traced to contagion, I cannot but believe, that, in this instance also, the patient had been exposed to the atmosphere of an infected vessel, or to persons, that had been sick, or in some way connected with the sick of the yellow fever." From the other let- ter, which is of date November 15th, 1805, I extract the following. " It has been said, that I have departed from the opinion I had heretofore entertained of the origin of the Yellow Fever, and, that, as in the present year, no particular vessel has been charged with the introduction of it, we were compelled to acknowledge its domestic or-> igin. Such too appears to be the object and tenor of the last very extraordinary letter published by the Health Officer. In reply to this misrepresentation of my opin- ion, I have only to remark, that if I had before entertain- ed any doubt of the origin of this calamity, the circum- stances attending its appearance in the present season, would alone have satisfied me (as it has some others who have had opportunities of watching its early progress) that it is not the product of our own soil or climate, but is always introduced from abroad. The intercourse, I might, perhaps, say the unlimited intercourse which has existed between the quarantine ground and this city, by night as well as by day sufficiently accounts for the pes- tilence of last season. 22 AN ACCOUNT OF " It is unnecessary for me here to go into details : th* elue to the investigation of the facts upon this subject, 13 in the possession of the proper authority, and 1 trust it will be pursued with the attention it merits and the im- port of the inquiry demands; but I will venture to pre- dict, that unless our legislature enacts a law, that will make* it necessary to quarantine the captains of vessels, the supercargoes, the seamen, their bedding, clothing, Sfc. as well as the vessels themselves, we shall never be se- cure from danger, and that the now growing commerce of our city will be sacrificed to the repetition of this terrible calamity. " While I thus recommend a more strict and efficient quarantine law to prevent the introduction of contagion iroms abroad, I hope it will not be thought, that I disre- gard the attention bestowed by our vigilant police in pre- serving cleanliness at home. On the contrary, it is con- ceded, that the Yellow Fever, like other contagious di- seases, is never so readily propagated in a vure as in an impure atmosphere ; perhaps 1 may go father and say, that the Yellow Fever mora than any other contagious disease, that we know of, requires an impure air as its conductor. But that the Jilth of our streets, our docks, new made grounds, grave yards or privies have ever ge- nerated this species of fever I cannot believe. 1 should as readily ascribe the origin of small pox, measles, or plague to the dirt of our gutters, m> to trace the Yellow Fever to putrid animal or vegetable matter ; and that I am not alone in this opinion, a vast body of testimony might be adduced." In the year 1719, there were some cases of Yellow Fever near the Old Slip; but by the vigorous exertions of the Board of Health and the blessing of Divine Provi- dence, it was suppressed before it had attained an alarm* ing height. I now come to An account of the Yellow Fever, which has raged in the City of New-York, during the last three months. The disease, in this season, made its appearance in a different quarter from that, in which it had cammenced h> irlf. ILLLUW JbfcVER. iB depredations in former years. It had formerly uniform- ly begun some where on the East River; but now it was first seen in Rector-street, towards the North River, a part of the city, which had been heretofore deemed pe- culiarly healthy. The first notice, which was taken of this disease by the Board of Health, was on the 31st of July, 1822, of which the following is an abstract. The following statement of facts made to the Board, by the President, was ordered to be published. On the 17th of July, 1822, Doctor Walters had in- formed the President, that three of his patients, children of Martin Reeder, at No. 26 Rector-street, were labour- ing under a severe attack of fever; that he did not report them as cases of Yellow Fever; but requested, that the Resident Physician might visit them. On the day following, the Resident Physician reported, that he had seen the said children, that Caroline aged 9 years had sickened on the 10th instant, Amanda aged 11 years on the same day, and John aged 15 years en the 1.6th. He pronounced, that their disease was Billious Fever. Caroline died on the same day, John on the 22d, and Amanda recovered. The Resident Physician also reported, that he was in- formed, that Andrew Thomas, a clerk, in a grocery store^ at the corner of Washington and Rector-streets, immedi- ately opposite to Mr. Recder's, had been taken sick on the 12th of July and carried to the New-York Hospital, where he died on the 16th following. Mr. Thomas was a young gentleman of irreproachable morals, and had only been in this city, a very few months. From what I have heard respecting his case, 1 think, that there is no doubt of his having died of Yellow Fever. On the 20th the Resident Physician visited Miss Rose, a child of seven years, at the corner of Greenwich and Rector Streets, and reported, that she had sickened on the 16th of July of Billious Fever. She died on the 24th following. On the 21st he visited John Whailley, a baker, aged 26 years, at the corner of Cliff and Ferry Streets. He had sickened on "the 20th instant of Billious Fever, and on the 26th was convalescent. 24 AN Auv^ou^ a v/i On the 25th he visited Mr. Butler and his apprentice in Rector-street, bet ween Greenwich and Lumber Streets, and reported them as convalescent. On the 26th he visited Euphemia Dobson, aged 38 years, at No. 10 Beaver-street. She had sickened on the 24th and removed from the house of Mrs. Rose, in Rector-street, where she had assisted in nursing the child, who died there on the 24th instant; Mrs. Edwards, sis. ter of Mrs. Rose and Mr. Leonard W. Archer, aged 23 vears, nephew of Mrs. Rose, both of whom was resi- dents in the same house, and had sickened on the 25th. These three he stated as being afflicted with Billious Fever. He also informed the Board, that a Mrs; Waters, aged 58 years, had sickened in the same house, on the even- ing of the 24th, but had been removed to Brooklyn. This woman had not been seen by the Resident Physi- cian; but he understood, that she had been indisposed for the last three months, and had died on the 29th with very malignant symptoms. On the 29th he reported, that he had visited another Child of Mr. Reeder and also Susan Buck, aged 11 years, at No. 24 Rector-street, opposite the house of Mr. Reed- er, both of whom he pronounced to be sick of Billious Fever. On the 30th he visited Mr. Jones at No. 115 Wash- ington-street, who had sickened on the 27th, and John Hamilton, a cartman, who resided at No. 20 Howard- street, but who had his stand in the vicinity of Rector- street and who had sickened on the same day. Both of these, he reported to be Billious Fever. On the 31st Dr. Neilson reported two cases of Yellow Fever, viz. Leonard W. Archer and Mrs. Edwards, both at the house of Mrs. Rose. On the 28th Dr. N. appear- ed before the Board of Health and declared them both to be Billions Fever. On this day the Resident Physician again visited them, and pronounced their cases to be Bil- lious Fever. The Board previous to their adjournment on the 31st July declared, " th;it " no cases of fever had occurred in that vicinity, within the knowledge of the Board for the last three days. THE YELLOW FEVER. 25 On the 1st of August the Board again met, at 12 •'clock, the hour which had been agreed on to meet on every day, during the prevalence of fever. " No new case of the indisposition in Rector-street was reported; nor had there been any there for the last three days." " Thus much," says Mr. Stone the intelligent editor of the Commercial Advertiser, " may be considered as a kind of official return, although we did not copy them from the minutes. What we are now about to commence was considered injudicious by some of the members, al- though his Honour the Mayor said, that it was better for editors to publish a full sketch of their proceedings, and let the whole facts, as they exist be known." From all that we have been able to learn, and from the decided and unequivocal opinions of many of our most comply with the friendly admonitions of the guardians of the public health, who, it cannot be supposed, will ever make an alarm without due cause. I may farther say, with con- fidence, that with respect to our late calamity, by far the greatest part of the evil, which ensued, might have been averted by a speedy departure of the inhabitants from the infected district, as it is a fact, which cannot be con- troverted, that afire, however kindled, cannot continue to burn, without combustible materials. Had this sim- ple truth been duly attended to, the lives of many valua- ble citizens would have been saved, and that dreadful alarm which ensued, and occasioned the removal of many thousands of our inhabitants to ihe great injury of their families, the almost total suspension of trade, commerce and manufactures, and a damage to our city, which it will require some years to repair, might have been prevented. I cannot help censuring the conduct of those, who from an ill-timed economy, chose to remain in the infected dis- trict and to pursue their usual business to the great dan- ger of their own health and that of their families. They ought to have recollected, that " self-preservation is the first law of nature," and that the earning of a few hun- dred dollars, was an object of trivial importance when put in competition with the loss of life. But by continuing in this spot, they absolutely manifested something, which seemed to border on insanity. It was almost deserted, and if money was their object, how or from what custo- THE YELLOW FEVER. 33 mers could they make it ? But, alas! it too often hap* pens, that "men are lost for want .of thought." But whilst I blame those, who remained in the infected district, after the solemn admonitions, which they had received to leave it, there were others, whose condiict was still more reprehensible, and who paid dearly for their temerity. Several persons, chiefly young men, actuated by an idle curiosity, or, perhaps, led by that propensity, which is so incident to human nature, to do that, which we are forbidden, entered the interdicted district, and soon afterwards paid for their folly by the loss of their lives. I do not say, that when a man is di- rected by public authority to visit an infected spot, he ought not to go. He is then on duty, engaged in en- deavouring to promote the welfare of his fellow creatures, and may reasonably expect tlu- protection of his God ; but he, who goes to such a place merely to see it, be- cause he has been told, that he ought not to go there, or more probably to shew himself as a braggadocio, can have no such confidence. After these observations, which I trust will not appear to be improper, I return to the proceedings of the Boar4 pf Health. • . A letter was read from the Health Commissioners of Boston requesting information, respecting the character, degree and extent of the fever in this city, that they might be enabled to adopt suitable measures for their own safe- ty, without resorting to unnecessary steps, which might interrupt the intercourse between the two cities. This letter was couched in the most friendly terms and a suita- ble answer was read and ordered to be transmitted. The Board then directed an extension of the limits of the infected district, viz. that they should go so far as to include Rector-street to Broadway, and Lumber-street to Broadway. The reaso'n of this extension is easily explained. Some cases of fever had made their appearance, at a short distance, to which it had been at first confined. On the 10th of August, Doctor Neilson reported Mary- Roe, a mulatto woman, as a case of Yellow Fever. Shi: bad been taken sick on the 8th instant, while nursing Mi .• 34 AN ACCOUNT OF Edwards, at the house of Mrs. Rose at the corner of Greenwich and Rector Streets; and who had since been removed to a house in the rear of No. 65 Warren-street, This case is mentioned in order to shew, that there must have been in this house as well as in that of Mr. Reeder, or in the vicinity of these houses, some cause of a very deleterious nature, or so many persons would not have been there taken sick, almost at the same time. What that cause was, has not, as yet been ascertained; but as it might possibly be the means of preventing the occur-* rence of a future calamity of the kind, it is a subject, which well deserves the most serious investigation, Whether it can ever be discovered, I do not pretend to say; but it is surely an object of so great importance, that it would be highly proper, that the experiment should be made in real earnest. The assistants of the Board reported, that they, had visited the infected district, in conformity to the direc- tions, which they had received, to use their utmost ex- ertions to prevail on the inhabitants to remove, and had been very successful, as they, in general, seemed to be willing to comply with the recommendation of the Board, They farther mentioned, that there were aLout. six poor families, whom it would be necessary to assist in moving and to provide for them in other respects. The following preamble and esolutions were adopted; '■'Whereas the Board of Health is now officially inform- ed, that the disorder prevailing in Rector-streeet and its vicinity is Yellow or Malignant Fever, and being of the opinion, that the removal of the inhabitants from that district of the city is indispfensible, Therefore Resolved, that the Mayor be, and he is hereby autho- rised to cause the removal of all persons, who shall be found within the infected district, as now inclosed by the fences erected on the several avenues, leading to the game. Resolved, that such of the inhabitants of the infected district, as are unable to provide for themselves, be permitted to occupy either of the Public Buildings, at the Narrows, belonging to the State, or the buildings pro-. vlded by this Board, at Kipp's Bay, under the diction THE YELLOW FEVER. 35 of the Committee on that subject, and that the Commis- sioners of the Aims-House be instructed to furnish what may be deemed necessary for their sustenance, for that establishment, should the circumstances of any require thut assistance." Here was manifested a degree of hu- ms nty, which abundantly speaks for itself. Resolved, that in the case of foul gutters and other nui- sances, where the owners do not comply with the recom- mendation to reinove or correct them, the assistants of the Board shall enter complaints against them to the At- torney of the Corporation. A report from Dr. Bayley, our Health Officer at the Quarantine Ground, was read and occasioned some debate. The Recorder moved, that, in consequence of said letter, it should be resolved, that no vessel arriving from warm climates, and which had been subjected to all the purifying regulations at the Quarantine Ground, .should be suffered to come up to the wharves of this city, with- out permission from the Board of Health, and in case that they should do so, that they be directed to move im- mediately." In opposition to this motion, it was said, that a mea- sure of this kind was altogether unnecessary, "as it had been clearly proved in the case of the vessel called the Enterprise, that, during the warm weather, it is impos- sible to cleanse an infected vessel thoroughly. That ship had underwent all the usual methods of pu- rification; but immediately after the men returned on board, a number of them were taken sick and the officers were again obliged to send them ashore. After some further discussion, the motion was varied so as to read thus: " that no vessel from foreign ports shall be permitted to come to the wharves of this; city, without permission from the President and Health Com- iiiissioncrs* On the 11th of August, little business was done. The principal occurrences were as follow. A remonstrance was received from sundry of the inhabitants of Warren- street against the removal of sick persons, into that neigh- bourhood, which was laid on the tahW 36 AN ACCOUNT OF And the following gentlemen were appointed as a cent* mittee to provide for those removing from the infected district, who'may be destitute of the means of providing for themselves, viz. Aldermen Wyckoff, Williams and Taylor. On the 12th of August, a remonstrance was received from sundry of the inhabitants of the Ninth Ward against the occupation of the house at Kipp's Bay, which was laid on the table. The Recorder moved, that a committee should be ap- pointed to inquire into the expediency of prohibiting any further interments in Trinity Church Yard. The motion was adopted, and the Recorder, Alderman Hall and Dr. Dyckman appointed to compose the said committee. On August 13th, the following report was read. '•' The Recorder from the committee, to whom was re- ferred a resolution of the Board, directing them to inquire into the expediency of regulating or preventing the inter- ment of the dead in Trinity Church Yard, during the continuance of the present epidemic, reported, That they had ascertained from the returns of the Sex- ton of Trinity Church, that there had been buried in the yard thereunto belonging since the first day of May last, one hundred and forty-seven persons. That they had also ascertained from different sources, on which they thought, implicit reliance might be placed, that the yard of that church was, at times, offensive to per- sons in its'vicinity and that in the evenings especially, th-2 exhalations had been such, as, perhaps, to have been dangerous to the health of the citizens in its immediate neighbourhood. They further recommended to the consideration of the Board, the following particulars, viz. that as long as bu- rials should take place in that church yard, a crowd of persons will be crowded very near to the infected dis- trict and in many places, not more than SO feet from the residence of persons, who have sickened with Yellow Fever. The Committee likewise, reported that they had con- ferred with several highly respectable gentlemen of that church, who gave it as their decided opinion, that any THE YELLOW FEVER. 37 measure, which the Board might deem essential for the preservation of the public health. The committee, therefore recommended the following resolutions, viz. That no grave be permitted to be opened or dug in Trinity Church yard, until the further order of the Board ef Health, under the penalty of one hundred dollars, and also that any sexton or other per-sons, who shall permit any burial in the said Church yard, in violation of the alx/ve resolution or who shall assist in opening or dig- ging any grave there, shall be liable to the same penalty. It was further resolved, that, in case any vault should be opened in Trinity Church during the warm season, for the interment of any person, it be recommended to the citizens, not to follow it in the yard. The report and resolutions were adopted, as also a re- quest, that the Common Council would pass an ordi- nance, by which the penalties before mentioned, could be enforced. This was complied with at the next meet- ing of the Board. On August 14th, the President after mentioning a few reports, read one of Dr. Neilson's respecting Mary Woods, who was sick at No. 130 Greenwich-street, with symp- toms of Yellow Fever. She was sent to the buildings at the Narrows, and was, as I believe, the first patient, who went to that place. Previous attention had been paid, however, to get the establishment on a proper footing, and she was, no doubt taken much better care of than she would have been, if she had remained in the city. The President suggested the propriety of suppressing the names of persons reported as sick of Yellow Fever. He thought it could do no good, and that, if continued, it might be the means of distressing the persons afflicted as well as their friends. Alderman Fairlie stated, that he highly approved of this course, that he had made the suggestion on a former occasion and continued of the same opinion still. He said, that the papers often pre- cede the sick to the places, where they might be received, and if the names of the afflicted were mentioned, it might do injury instead of good. It was then carried, that the names of the sick should not hereafter be published. The President stated, that there had been many com- 38 AN ACCOUNT Ol plaints against the physicians, who, it was believed, did not report all the cases of Yellow Fever, which came to their- knowledge. He deemed it an object of importance, that, in this respect, they should be compelled to dis- charge their duty. It was observed, that the law, which had been enacted, some years ago, upon that subject, was fully sufficient and that there was no necessity for any new regulations. The Board met on August 15th, when reports were received from two physicians, respecting two persons, whom they stated to be sick of Yrellow Fever, the for- mer at No. 27 Mulberry-street, the latter at No. 6 Roose- velt-street ; but they had both been in the infected dis- trict a few days before. A Mr. Ackerly a clerk in one of the public departments in the city of Washington, about seven days ago, had landed in or near the infected district, and lodged in a house near Canal-street, where he was taken sick of Yellow Fever on the 4th day after his arrival and died on the third day thereafter. A young gentleman had been taken sick in Carlisle- street, about three days before. The family physician was sent for; but did not chose to venture into the infect- ed district. In order, therefore, that the aid of this res- pectable physician might be obtained, the youth was sent out of town. On the day thereafter his brother sickened at the same place and was, likewise, forthwith sent to the country, where, in a short time, they both recovered. August 16. Two cases were reported, one of which it may be proper to mention, viz. Robert Newellat No. 383 Greenwich, who was stated by Dr. Brush to be sick of Yellow Fever. This man had lately been employed on board of the Steam Boat William Penn, and had been within a fortnight in the infected district, where he went upon no kind of business ; but merely that he might have it to say, that he had been there. The Resident Physician, who had, likewise, visited him, said, that there Was no doubt of his case being that of Yellow Fever. August 17th, Dr. Neilson reported that a woman was sick of Yellow Fever at No. 82 Cedar-street. She had been employed in attending the sick, at the house of Mrs. Rose in Rector-street, a house, which appears to have THE YELLOW FEVER. 39 been, in a peculiar manner, a den of pestilence. Anoth- er case was reported by Dr. Francis of a person at No. 39 Chapel-street, who had been frequently in the vicinity of the infected district, a few days before. A letter was read from Dr. Bailey the Health Officer, requesting the opinion of the Board respecting the car- goes of vessels, which he might deem to contain matter of contagion or infection and asking that they would be pleased to advise him how he should act in such cases. Alderman Fairlie was opposed to making any further regulations on the subject. His only recommendation would be, that the existing health laws be rigorously en- forced. The Board of Health he said, was not a profes- sional body, nor could they undertake to decide upon the origin, nature or extent of infection or contagion, espe- cially as they were questions, which had not been settled by the faculty, and in which, he believed, that they had made no material progress for the last twenty-seven years. Dr. Dyckman made a few remarks on the subject and then offered the following resolutions " Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Board, that no part of the cargo of any vessel coming within the 6th sec- tion of the Health Law be permitted to be brought into this city, if the Health Officer suspects, that such cargo may convey with it infection or contagion." This was adopted. A communication was received stating, that a corpse followed only by one man, -had, on that morning, at an early hour, been brought to Potters' Field and left expos- ed above ground. The body still remained there and no one would go to bury it. The Assistants were directed to attend to this case, which was done immediately. It is not very easy to account for this circumstance. There is in all cases, a note required from the physician or some other person stating the disease, of which the patient had died, and an order from a magistrate directing the inter- ment, but here it appears, that neither of these regula- tions had been attendedto. August 18th, Doctor Hicks reported a man, who had been removed from No. 55 Washington-street to Bank- street, also his daughter Mary aged about 7 years, both 40 AN ACCOUNT OF of whom had taken sick on the day preceding. The person alluded to was a grocer and in easy circumstan- stances. He had been repeatedly urged by the officers of the Board to leave the infected district; but their ad- vice was in vain. In spite of the earnest solicitations of these gentlemen, as well as some of his warmest friends he remained inflexible and continued in his habitation till he received a peremptory order from the Mayor to quit it. He is now numbered among the dead and might have very probably been still alive, if he had taken the advice, which had been given to him, in time. A report was also received from Dr. Perkins of a lady sick at No. 171 Greenwich-street, who had moved on the l6th from No. (11 in the same street, which is within the prescribed district. . August 19th, the Resident Physician, to whom had been referred the two cases reported by Dr. Hicks, in Bank-street, on yesterday, declared, that they were de- cided cases of Yellow Fever. Dr. Donaldson reported -------, a member of the same family as above mention- ed sick of " a disease commonly called Yellow Fever.'* (These were his words) and also another of the same disease at No. 44 Leonard-street. They were both re- ferred to the Resident Physician. Dr. Richard Seaman reported the case of a man at No. 93 Harman-street. He is a dock builder and was in the infected district a few days before he sickened. A person at the corner of Washington and Chambei Streets, who had been removed from the corner of Cedar and Greenwich Streets was reported by Dr. Pascalis. August 20th, the Resident Physician, to whom the two cases mentioned yesterday by Dr. Donaldson had been referred, reported that they had both Yellow Fever. He also reported, that one of the cases named by a citi- zen yesterday at No. 102 Water-street, was Yellow Fe- ver. All the calamity, which befel the persons above re- ferred to, was clearly traced to the infected district. Dr. Cutter reported a person sick of Yellow Fever at No. 5 Chapel-street. He had removed from No 32 Lum- ber street on the 15th and had been in the infected dis- trict, « few days before. Dr, Hicks, also, reported the THE YELLOW FEVER. 4i ease -of a person sick of Yellow Fever, at No. 40 Wash- ington-street, who had been at work, next to Rector- street. He was taken sick on the 18th. August 21st, Dr. Yates reported, that of three persons, who had been removed from Carlisle-street to Amboy, about ten days since, one had died on the 19th inst. and that the others were convalescent, ('Carlisle-street is in the infected district.) Some other cases were reported on this day, but at. nothing extraordinary attended them, it is deemed unne- cessary to notice them. Orders had been given to the Assistants of the Board to arrest, such suspicious persons as might be found lurk- ing within the limits of the prescribed district. They on this day, laid hold of two of this description, whom the ofii- rers of the police ordered to be confined for sixty days.* August 22d. On this day three patients were report: ed, one by Doctors Hardy and Hosack, one by Dr. Neilson and the third by Dr. Bergier. They had all been removed from the infected district. August 23d. Four cases were reported this day. Though they had sickened in different parts of the city, it had been ascertained, that they had come from the infect- ed district, a few days before they became indisposed. August 24th, Dr. John W. Francis, reported the case of Mrs. ———, at the corner of Washington and Liber- ty-streets. He suggested the expediency of removing her from the infected district and observed, that she was * The confinement of the persons above mentioned for «=o short a time can scarcely be deemed an adequate punishment. Why were they there ? Was it from motives of idle, curiosity ? This ecwi scarcely be believed. No. They went for the purpose of mak- ing their own the property of the unfortunate absentees. It would have been a happy circumstance, if the attempt to rob had rested here, but alas! such is the depravity of hu:i;an nature, that burglaries in the infected part of the city have been frequent, und the vilhaiis, who committed them, have in several instances, with a wantonness, not easily accounted for, destroyed that prop- erty, which they could not conveniently take away. A crime of this nature, at a time so calamitous, deserves the most con/lign punishment) and it is hoped, that all those, who have been con- cerned in these diabolical depredations will be soon apprehend- ed and meet with the reward due to their works. E 2 42 AN ACCOUNT OF then in a better situation to be removed than she had been the day before. Alderman Wyckoff stated, that her husband peremptorily refused to have her removed. No order was taken upon the subject. Here the Board acted with delicacy and very probably, under all the cir- cumstances of the case, with propriety ; but agreeably to the 32d section of the " Law relative to the public health in the city of New-York, passed 9th March, 1805" she might have been removed whether her husband was wil- ling or not. The clause of the section to which 1 allude is in the following words, " the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty shall have power in their discretion to re- move or older the removal of all persons and things in- fected by or tainted with pestilential matter to such place or places, as may, in their opinion, most conduce to the preservation of the public health." Five other case? Were reported. On the same day Saturday, the 24th August, our city presented the appearance of a town besieged. From day break till night, one line of carts, containing boxes, merchandize and effects, were seen moving towards Greenwich Village and the upper parts of the city. Car- riages and hacks, waggons and horsemen were scouring the streets and filling the roads; persons with anxiety strongly marked on their countenances and with hurried gait were bustling through the streets. Temporary stores and offices were erecting and even on the ensuing day (^Sunday) carts were in motion and the saw and ham- mer busily at Work. Within a few days thereafter, the Custom House, the Post Office, the Banks, the Insurance Offices, and the printers of Newspapers located them- selves in the village or in the upper part of Broadway, where they were free from the impending danger, and these places almost instantaneously became the seat of the im- mense business usually carried on, in this great metropolis- A communication from Doctor D. W. Kissam was re- ceived recommending the use of pyroligneous acid, and stating, that the necessary expense would not exceed eight hundred dollars. This was referred to the Health Committee. A communication was also read from A. I. W. Butler, THE YELLOW FEVER. 43 Stating, that a cargo of hides had been deposited in a 'store in Rector-street, which had become so putrid and nauseous as sufficiently to develope the cause of the pre- vailing pestilence. He asked for an investigation of the subject, and suggested the propriety of setting fire to the premises, in case that his information should be found correct. In confirmation of the above, the Mayor stated, that two gentlemen, whom he named, had called upon him in the morning, and stated facts and circumstances sub- stantially corroborating the above. He observed, how- ever, that the Assistants had diligently examined the dis- trict and could not find the least trace of the supposed nuisance. He concluded by proposing, that the follow- ing notice should be published, which was unanimously agreed to. "Board op Health, August 24, 1822. The Board of Health are desirous, that their Assistants should examine and ascertain whether any noxious or impure article has been left in any of the store houses or premises within the infected district, and in order that this object may be effected, they request the occupants within the said district, either to inform the President of the Board, at what place their keys may be found, or to leave them at the Mayor's Office properly labelled, Care will be taken, that no person shall enter the said premises, except the Assistants of the Board, and the keys will be returned to the owners." A communication was read from a citizen now residing at West Farms, recommending, that the stems of tobac-r co should be burnt in the infected district for the purpose of purifying the atmosphere. This was referred to the Health Committee. Alderman Williams proposed, that, in future, the names of the sick should be published, as the public feel- ing seemed to call for the measure. Alderman Mead was in favour of the proposition, except in those cases, where the relatives or friends might be averse to the publication. The proposition, however, was not acted upon at that meeting. < 44 AN ACCOUNT OF August 23th, one person, who had passed a night. about a week before, at No. 55 Broadway, was reported as being sick of Yellow Fever. Five other persons were reported as being sick of the same disease, some of whom had not been in the infected district. These < ases were referred to the Resident Physician, who on the day following stated, that they were ill of Bilious Remit- tent Fever. August 26th, two persons were reported by the Resi- dent Physician as being sick of Yellow Fever, who had been in the infected district. Two other cases were re- ported, one by Dr. Stevens, in Broadway above White- street, from No. 101 Broadway, the other by Doctor Hicks, at No. 12 Thames-street.* The Committee of Health, to whom had been referred the communication of Doctor D. Kissam recommending the use of the pyroligneous acid, to purify the infected region, reported, that not being professional men, the) had referred the subject to Doctor Hosack for his opinion, which had been received and was read to the Board by the Mayor. Doctor H. concurred in opinion with Dr. Kissam, respecting the sanative qualities of the acid, gave a learned description of its properties, and recom- mended it as highly useful in purifying sewers and ship*, at Quarantine. He observed, that it was an excellent antiseptic; but did not readily assume the constituent properties of vapour, so that its effects in purifying the air might be very doubtful. On the whole, he suggested the propriety of a limited experiment. * On the 26lh August, we were likewise informed of the fol- lowing facts, in the Evening Post of that date, via. that two of Mr. Taylor's family, who had removed from No. Ill Greenwich- street between Rector and Thames-slreets, a few days since, are sick at Tappan. They remained four or five days in the infected district after it was fenced up, and did not remove until Mrs. Taylor was taken down with fever, who has since died. Mr. Brown, who resided in Lumber-street and hadkeptaliv- ery stable, was found dead in his house on that morning His family removed some days before, and Mr. Brown remained be- hind to take care of his business. At what time he sickened, or when he died, cannot be ascertained. Like many others, be bid defiance to the disease which prevailed in that neigbourhood, euidf eid for his temerity with the loss of his life ""ruouo, THE YELLOW FEVER. 43 The subject was referred back to the same committee with powers to confer farther with Dr. Hosack, and to act in the premises as to them, in their discretion, might appear proper. Alderman Fairlie moved, that, in future, the names of physicians reporting cases of Yellow Fever be omitted. He stated it as a possible event, that empyrics, who had convalescent patients might report them as cases of Yel- low Fever, in order to gain a temporary celebrity from the publication of their names in the papers. The' mo- tion was adopted. August 27th. On this day, nothing remarkable oc- curred. Four cases of Yellow Fever were reported, one of whom from No. 84 Broadway had, on the day before, been sent to the Quarantine Ground. __ August 28th. Four cases were reported. Now it evidently appeared, that the disease began to spread, as one of the sick persons resided at No. 35 Pearl-street, and had not been nearer the infected district than \\ iley pnd Halstead's store, at the corner of New and Wall Streets. A communication was received from the Reverend Mr, George Upfold, rector of St. Luke's Church? suggesting the expediency of closing St. Paul's Church, for the pre- sent. No order, however, was taken on the subject, as it was not doubted, that the vestry, who were well known to be a very intelligent body, would do that which was proper on the occasion. Here it may not be improper to observe, that from this time, divine service was discon- tinued in all the places of public worship in the lower parts of the city. This was, undoubtedly proper; for, though every christian must consider it as an incumbent duty tw meet with his brethren on the first day of the week to render thanks to the great Jehovah for the favours he has conferred upon him and to implore his mercy and protection in future; yet in the case of pestilence, the assembling of a large body of people must be obviously improper,^ and the pious man will remain at home and adore his Creator in his closet. Sfa* A report was read from the Assistants of the Boardf «tatmn- that they had examined with the utmost care thr 40 VN ACCOUNT OF stores in the infected district, and that no damaged hides were to be found within them. A long and very interesting communication from Dr. Alexander il. Stephens was read, expressing it as his opinion, that no practical benefit could arise from the use of the muriatic gas, and but little from the use of the py- roligneous acid is purifying the infected district. He be- lieved, that the only effectual remedy, for that purpose, would be the application of some impermeable covering upon the surface of the ground. This was referred to the Health Committee. August 29th. Eight persons were reported as being sick of Yellow Fever, all of whose cases were traced to the infected district. Alderman .Mead moved, that the names of all the cases reported be published, unless a particular request should be made by the relatives to the contrary. The Recorder thought that th-.? namos of the physicians and patients should be published together, as, in his opinion, thnre was no need of concealment. Alderman Hall spoke in favour of the motion. He sa^d, th-u it was the duty of the Board, to be guided by the will of their constituents, and he was persuaded, that, in the present instance, a vast majority of the citizens wished, that the names of the sick should be published. The motion was carried. It was then moved, that the names of the physicians should be published; but this motion was lost by the cast- ing vote of the President. The following resolution was passed, viz. that the phy- sicians be. requested to communicate to the Board the names of all their patients, who may die of Yellow Fever, in order that they may be published. The permission to publish the names of persons repor« ted as being sick of Yellow Fever was certainly very ju- dicious. A vast majority of our fellow citizens disappro- ved of the vote for suppressing them. The dissatisfac- tion was universal, and the very circumstance that any thing was suppressed, gave great cause of alarm. In a case of this kind, it will ever be found to be the best po- licy to disguise nothing, if the object be to prevent un- aec"«sr>.ry alarm, THE YELLOW FEVER. 4? August 31st. Three cases were reported, concerning whom it is unnecessary to make any observations. The Assistants reported, that they had inspected four more stores in the infected district, and had been able to discover no putrid hides nor any other substance, which could possibly infect the atmosphere. A very interesting communication was received from Dr. Samuel Ackerly, expressing a disbelief in the prac- tical utility of the pyroligneous acid in purifying the at- mosphere of this infected district. I le said that he had no belief in the doctrine of contagion, and that all the cases, in the present season,had tended to confirm him in his opinion. He was willing to believe, that the prevailing disorder was imported; but he enumerated sundry causes, which have a powerful agency in keeping it alive and spreading it after it has been introduced, such as narrow streets, dirty lanes, filthy sinks, burying grounds, 6jc. He men- tioned particularly the burying ground of Trinity Church, and, in general, the impropriety of allowing cemetries to be continued in large cities. By these, he believed, that the water was rendered bad and that noxious exha- lations would arise through the earth from decayed bodies. Having proved, as he believed, the uselessness of the pyroligneous and muriatic acids, he recommended the free use of lime, charcoal, ashes, and tan or oak bark, to counteract the noxious exhalations arising from the cau- ses above mentioned. The antiseptic qualities of the ve- getable alkali contained in ashes, charcoal, and oak bark, he said, were too well known to need any comment. The streets should be covered with the bark, and sinks, privies, cellars, &c. should be purified with lime and charcoal mixed with ashes, &c. This was referred to the Health Committee. Dr. Ackerley's mode of arresting the progress of the fever was, at the time he suggested it, in general, deem- ed to be a visionary project, and excited no great inquiry into its utility. To his plan, the Board, however, in a great measure resorted, at last, and 1 believe, that it is now the opinion of many, that it was the means of arrest- ing the progress of the disease, and rescuing from death a number of valuable lives. Of this subject, however, I have occasion to speak hereafter. ■ 4ft AN ACCOUNT OF From the 2d to the 6th September nothing extraordi- nary occurred. On that day, a physician reported a Mr* L. Bush, as being sick of Yellow Fever at No 76 Mott* street, who had been employed in the Sugar-House, in Liberty-street, between Nassau and William-streets. As this case was considered to be somewhat out of the in- fected district, it was, on motion of Alderman Wyckoff, referred to the Resident Physician, who, on the ensuing day, declared it to be a case of Yellow Fever. From the statement of the patient, it appeared, that he had .not been lower than the place of his employment for a month past. Nine other cases were reported, on that day, sev- eral of whom could not well be traced to the infected dis- \ trict. The prospects therefore, wore a more threatening aspect then at any former period of our calamity. ' On the same day a communication was received from the Mayor and ordered to be published. In this he stat- ed, that a number of stores and other premises, which he particularly specified, had been examined by the Assia» tants and reported to him as containing no article inju- rious to the health of that part of the city known by th« name of the infected district, and particularly, that there were no hides stored there. He added, that as it was de- sirable, that every store in the district, should be examin- ed, in order that the public might be satisfied whether any putrid or noxious articles were deposited within thenr, it was recommended, that the owners of stores who had heretofore omitted to leave their keys agreeably to the notice of the Board of Health, be again requested to com- ply with the same. ^ He stated, that several houses had been broken open, in which although no great property had heen stolen, much wanton devastation had been committed. He be- lieved, that the perpetrators of these villainies were boys. He was correct, in his opinion as four young men are al- ready in the State Prison condemned to hard labour for fourteen years for the commission of this atrocious offence. September 9th, a resolution was presented by the Re- corder, that a committee be appointed to take into con- sideration the application of some of the means, which had been suggested to the Board for eradicating the d> THE YELLOW FEVER- 49 tease now prevalent in a part of this city. The motion was not then carried ; but adopted on the 11th, when a Committee consisting of the Recorder, Alderman Hall and Alderman M'Queen were appointed, and the sum of Seven hundred and fifty dollars appropriated to carry ii> to effect the objects of the resolution. From the 9th to the 14th September, nothing occur- red worthy of notice. On the last of these days a report, of which the following is the substance, was received and ordered to be published. TO THE PUBLIC. The special committee appointed by the Board of Health for the purpose of adopting such measures, as, in their judgment, may, by possibility, arrest the further extension of the prevailing epidemic reported, that they had requested those persons, who had the care of chur- ches in the city, to cause the burial grounds attached to them to be covered thickly with lime, or charcoal, or both ; that they requested the proprietors of manufacto- ries, in which filth or impure air may be engendered, to order them to be thoroughly purified with ley, lime or pot-ash, and entreated their fellow citizens to cause ashes, ley, lime, pot-ash or charcoal to be freely used in their yards, privies and gutters. They further recommended, that after they closed their houses at night, they should slack in their cellars or kitchens a small quantity of lime, which it was believed would tend to purify the air within doors. They reminded their fellow citizens, whose stores or cellars are situated near the margin of either river to an- ticipate, at this eason, a heavy storm and a consequeu; rising of the tides, which might be attended with very pernicious effects, if means should not be previously used to avert the consequences.* After some other observations, they proceed thus. The fever has greatly exceeded its original limits. The * It would be well for those, who reside near the margin of our rivers, to recollect, that towards the end of September they may always expecl a storm. They should, therefore endeavour to be prepared for it. 50 AN ACCOUNT OF weather, from its extreme heat, is deemed, unpropitious. In the year 1798, the fever continued till the 10th of No- vember. On the 1st of that month 11 persons died of that disease, 7 on the second and 7 on the fourth. Hith- erto no other agent but frost has been known to destroy Yellow Fever. If no other agent can be found, we have no alternative, but in patiently submitting to all the in- conveniences, that must of necessity afllict multitudes of families driven from their homes. " The committee are not, however, without hope. Ex- perience has shewn, that one of the most awful diseases, which ever threatened the life of man has yielded to a mild antidote. The small pox is now harmless. The reason why vaccination is a preventive, we are not per- mitted to know. We know the fact. This knowledge is the result of human labour and it ought to teach an en- lightened and pious community, that they have no right to give themselves up to despair. " The committee have adopted upon an extended plan some of the methods, which have been recommended to arrest the farther progress of the disease. Other means will be used. On their part, nothing shall be omitted. They rely with confidence on their fellow-citizens to se- cond their efforts, " The committee are fully sensible of the difficulties they have to encounter. The fever is widely diffused; the heat of the weather is great; the means they employ is uncertain. The faculty in the healing art is divided in their opinion. Your Committee, however, ask a prompt compliance with their recommendation and they trust, that, under the favour of Providence, they will be ena- bled to prevent the disease from reaching the yet healthy parts of our city. RICHARD RIKER JAMES HALL ROBERT M'QUEEN." Such was the address of the Select Committee. The/ performed the duty assigned to them, with a zeal and in- telligence, which did them the highest honour, and hpd the means, which they employed been resorted to in (he latter end of July, I think it highly probable, that the THE YELLOW FEVER. 51 fever, which commenced in Rector-street, might have been speedily checked. In confirmation of this opinion, I shall here insert an ex- tract from a letter written by Dr. Samuel Ackerly to Mr. John Griscom professor of chemistry, which appeared in the Statesman on the 18th October, in consequence of a difference between these two gentlemen respecting the best mode of purifying the atmosphere." Trinity Church yard" says the Doctor, '" and -several other grave yards, which emitted septic exhalations have been covered with lime and their putrid stench destroyed. The same has been done with the cispool in Rector and Banker Streets, and others in the upper part of the town have not only been covered with lime, but the yards and gutters have been cleansed and lime strewed in die alleys, sinks and other receptacles of foul emanations. The Yellow Fe- ver has here been arrested and in a concentrated population of rising 2000.* Nothing but the use of lime has been used in that quarter of the city, and i» fact, the committee principally confined themselves to the use of lime." The Dr. proceeds in his address to Mr. Griscom thus. " In your last communication you observe that the most certain mode of changing a poisonous state of the at- mosphere would be to throw into such an atmosphere some substance, which spreading throughout the whole mass of air, would come in contact with the deleterious parti- cles and by the effect of chemical attraction, neutralise their acrimony and destroy their virulence." " Now," says the Doctor, " lime is this very thing." I went into Broad- way one night three or four weeks since as far down as Courtlandt-street to observe Dr. Roosas' operations.— One or two casks of lime were emptied in a heap and water poured on to slack it. When the lime had fallen * By a census, which was taken by me of the inhabitants be- tween Henry street and the East-river and between Catharine and Pike-streelg by direction of the Special Committee, which was delivered on the 13th October, there were 3000 found in that district and of these 9 were sick, of whom two only were afflicted with diseases, which could be supposed to be, in the least degree dance reus. Amongst 600 people between Barclay and Murray- ctrecls, where lime had been freely used, 1 did not find an indi- vidual sick. :»2 AN ACCOUNT OF into a powder and while hot, the labourers scattered it in the gutter and over the street and a diffusible emotion from the hot lime rose to the house tops, penetrated every crack and corner and spread through the surrounding at- mosphere. When I entered upon this publication, I had determin- ed to give very little of my own opinion. 1 resolved to .state facts and leave it with a judicious public to draw their own conclusion. Here, however, I may be allowed to state, that lime was, in the present instance, evidently of great utility. Facts are stubborn things. And let this city or any other city, which may hereafter, have the misfortune to be afflicted with Yellow Fever resort to tliis as an antidote, on the very first appearance of the disorder, and it is highly probable, that it would be speedily eradicated. At all events the expense will be so trivial, in comparison of the proposed benefit, that in such a case, it would be unpardonable to omit making the experiment. The following was adopted on the 13 th, and ordered to be published. The Board of Health to their Fellow Citizens. The Board have learnt with regret, that great excite- ment and alarm has been manifested by that portion of their fellow citizens, who have removed or reside in the upper parts of the city; arising, as they have been in- formed, from the opinion, that several persons who have removed from the infected district with the prevailing disorder upon them, and have located themselves in their neighbourhood, may be the means of spreading the in-* fection in that part of the city. The Board believe that the present alarm is unfounded, for as yet there is no instance, within the knowledge of the Board, among the numerous removals which have occurred, where any part of the family, or the attendants of the sick, have contracted the disorder out of the infect- ed district; and it is therefore concluded, that the pre- sent disease, (so far at least,) is not infectious in a heal- thy atmosphere. The Board have nevertheless used every means compatible with propriety, for the removal cf the sick tp the places provided for that purpose out ^f THE YELLOW FEVER. 53 the city; and consequently, all persons who could be brought to consent to the measure, all transient persons, and all those without families or friends, have been re- * moved. The Board feel every disposition to do all acts that they may be called upon by duty or propriety to perform, which will tend to allay the apprehensions or mitigate the afflictions of their fellow-citizens; but they cannot consent to exercise an authority, (without tho most cogent necessity,) that shall tear from their friends or relatives a person suffering under disease, when there is no proof as yet developed, that there is danger to be apprehended by the neighbourhood, or even by the in- mates of the houses in which the sickness prevails. The Board have no manner of doubt, that on reflection, the candor and good sense of that portion of their fellow citizens who may differ from them on this subject, will induce such to acknowledge that a compulsory removal of those whose friends and relatives have provided for them an asylum in the healthy parts of our city, without their consent, would be a measure so repugnant to every feeling of humanity, under present circumstances, that it ought not to be resorted to. By order of the Board. STEPHEN ALLEN, Pics. J. MORTON, Secr'y. On the 15th and l6th, nothing peculiar occurred, ex- cept that the number of cases appeared to multiply and more difficult to be accounted for than they had been for- merly. On the last of these days, there were eleven cases reported and four deaths. On the 16th, the Common Council very humanely adopted the following resolutions. Resolved, that in case any of the city watch, who maj be employed by the corporation in the infected district shall be taken sick, upon application to the Board of Health, a physician shall be employed to attend such watchman at the expense of the Board. Resolved, that the additional sum of one quarter dollar for each night shall be allowed to all the night watch in the first watch district, till the further order of the Board. F 2 ^4 AN ACCOUNT OF Some days previous to the adoption of these resolu- tions, a very interesting letter addressed to the Presi- dent of the Board, was received from Dr. Pascallis, in which he suggests some rules and precautions to be ob- served by watchmen, in the infected district. As the letter is too long for insertion in this publication, I must content myself with a few extracts. After observing that the act of swallowing certain specific gases, from which he believes, that the danger of infection is meant, is very little or not at all to be dreaded during night from many hours after sunset, until a few hours after sunrise; be- cause those vapours are like all other exhalations of the earth let down or precipitated by the cool air of the night and their disappearance is more particularly depended on at this season of the year. Hence it is, that none of the watchmen, who have been longer than a month employed in that district have suffered the disease in a single instance. " It was owing" says he " to the subsidence of infect- ing exhalations, during the night and morning, that a most admirable preservation took place in 1804, of all the ba- kers, who during the raging pestilence of the city of Se- ville, in Spain, continued to supply the inhabitants with bread before sun-rise. They all resided in and came daily from a neighbouring village, distributed their bread to their customers without exception of house, or persons, from whom they received payment. They were care- ful to return home before sun-rise and the fact is no less true than remarkable, that not one of them ever died or sickened with the Yellow Fever. Yet," says he " the mortality of Seville, containing about 90,000 inhabitants, Was immense. " Other rules and precautions may much diminish the danger of infection, during the day time, provided those, who are exposed to it, are always in motion and walking •n the highest part of the pavement, avoiding to sit down for rest on the lowest. They may also stand more safe- ly on high stoops, and if they assemble in any house for business or rest, let them select the uppermost and m6st airy rooms, where they need never apprehend any dan- ger. A good reason for all these precautions is the well »««ertaiaeil feet of pestiferous gases and vapours, vis. their THE YELLOW FEVER. 55 heaviness of gravity, owing to which they rarely reach the head of an ordinary sized man " After a number of very pertinent observations, on the nature of pestilential gases, the Dr. says, " that Watchmen and day guards may rest confident, that no real danger exists beyond the limits of the infected district, in the worst parts of which they have no business to stand, and in other parts they may be protected by standing to wind- ward of them." He further recommends to watchmen and others employed in the infected district, to benefit themselves by letting out water from the wells as often as they possibly can. " Running water," he observes, " is, at any time, a powerful purifier of air, as much as stagnant water must soon contaminate it with the substances it alters and de- composes in a sultry summer's day, and oppressive at- mosphere. Every body can judge and feel how grateful it is to walk on a clean pavement, well watered, the evaporation of which imparts freshness and elasticity to respiration. Such," he said, " were the remarks and precautions, which he wished to offer to those, who in case of emergency might hesitate to repair to the infected district on account of personal danger. He hoped, also, that the same observations, would be useful for all good watchmen, who deserved to be well rewarded, and at the same time instructed that they were not devoted to abso- lute danger. As the facts and principles, which he had endeavoured to explain were correct, he concluded by expecting, that every man would do his duty with more confidence, with fidelity to public authority and honour to himself." On the 20th September, the President presented the following address to the citizens, which was adopted. Several cases of Yellow Fever having recently occur- red in Lombardy and Cheapside Streets, it has been deemed necessary by the Board to recommend a removal of the inhabitants of that vicinity, and it is, therefore, earnestly recommended to all persons residing in the vi- cinity of No. 4 Lombardy-street, or No. 12 or 16 Cheap- side-street, to remove therefrom preparatory to such •ther measures as the Board may deem it necessary to 56 AN ACCOUNT OF adopt, to hiterdictthe intercourse with that district of the city. Should any of the families residing in the neigh- bourhood of the infection be so circumstanced as to be unable to provide a place of refuge for themselves, every facility within the power of the Board will be given them, of which they may be informed by application to the committee at the old Alms-j louse." September 24th. A report of the Special Committee was read, of which the following is an abstract. It was laid on the table for further consideration by the Board for the purpose of adopting such measures, as in their judgment, may arrest the further extension of the pre- vailing epidemic. In their report, they state, they are led to believe, that some of the means, which have been employed to check the advance of Yellow Fever have been attended with beneficial results. The epidemic was known to be in Fulton-street on the 11th instant, as on that day, Mary Dugan was reported to have sickened of that disease on the east side of Broadway, and other circumstances con- curred to shew, that it must then have been there. The materials used by the committee, were applied in parts of Beekman, Fulton, Barclay, Dey and Courtlandt Streets and Broadway, Maiden-lane and down Rector- street to the river. The chief agents employed to arrest the disease were unslacked lime, charcoal and tanner's bark. Auxiliary measures were also resorted to, which would be particularly explained in a future report. The committee are of opinion, that the experiment should be pursued with unabated vigour. And they would earnestly urge, that a full and fair trial be made of some of the acid fumigations, which have been proposed by experienced and scientific men. Some of these, they thought might be of benefit. They had been used with success and strongly recommended by gentlemen entitled to confidence. It was now certain, they observed, that the fever had broken out in Lombardy, Cheapside and Bancker Streets. This calamity affords an opportunity to test the efficacy of the means used. The thickness of the population, the narrowness of the streets and the filth which is there col- THE YELLOW FEVER. 5f iected, leaves us no hopes, If the epidemic be left to take its course, that any thing but frost will stop it. The committee were anxious to assail this infected spot. They also wished to make experiments upon many cel- lars and houses in different parts of the city, which are known to be filled with the poisonous infection. They believed, that such trials would be satisfactory to their fellow citizens, and might eventually lead to a discovery, which will enable us to arrest an evil, which more than any other threatens the future greatness and prosperity of the city. The committee, therefore, recommended, that for a purpose so important, a further appropriation of t dollars. R. RIKER, ROBERT M'QUEEN. On the 25th September, eight cases were reported of Yellow Fever, two of whom, viz. Robert Williams from No. 33 Market-steeet, and Frederick Boyce from No. H Dutch-street had been sent to the Marine Hospital. A gentleman was reported sick of the fever at No. 6 Lewis- street, who had removed from No. 363 Pearl-street on the 12th, and had not been below Beekman-street within 20 days. Eliza, the wife of Robert Bayley, who sick- ened on the 23d instant at No. 12 Cheapside-street, and Eliza the sister of the said Robert, who had sickened on the day following, were amongst those reported. They had nursed Catharine Bayley, who had died in that. house on the 21st, and had been both removed to No. 28 Orchard-street. On the same day, a letter was received from the Health Officer stating, that Ann Dixon who had been received at the Hospital from Fort Richmond on the 24th, had died last night of Y'ellow Fever. Her husband, who bad been received from the same place, died on the 27th. 26th September, of nine cases reported, there were two somewhat remarkable, the one of Andrew Winslow, a coloured man near the African Church in Brooklyn, who sickened on the 24th, and had been in the habit cf. passing from the village of Greenwich to No. 79 Pearl- 48 AN ACCOUNT OF street; the other was that of Samuel M. Isaacs, who had been sent to the Marine Hospital by the magistrates of Brooklyn. Two cases were referred to the Resident Physician. Five cases of Yellow Fever had now appeared in Brooklyn, four of which were traced to New-York. The general health of the village, however, was not, in the least affected by that circumstance. The following statement of the ease of Mr. Isaacs was received from the Health Officer. QUARANTINE GROUND, Statcn-Island, September 25th, 1822. " Dear Sir, The magistrates of the town of Brooklyn sent last night from that place to the Marine Hospital, Samuel M, Isaacs, who is ill of Yellow Fever. As you have taken every opportunity to examine into the alleged causes of Yellow Fever, and as it is of the utmost importance, that every circumstance, which can, in the smallest degree, afford any information on the interesting subject of Yellow Fever, should be implicitly investigated, I take the li- berty of sending you the statement obtained from the said Mr. Isaacs, which I conceive to be worth examining into. His memory is somewhat impaired by his disease, which may cause some inaccuracy in the dates; but tha facts are probably correctly stated. He is a journeyman blacksmith, and lived with Mr. John Davis the foreman of Mr. Quick's shop, (coach-ma- ker in Broad-street,) at No. 42 Washington-street, and he removed with Dean's family to Brooklyn about the 12th of August, to No. 7 Poplar-street, in that town; but he continued to work daily at Mr. Quick's, until the shop was closed about four weeks ago. He went with Davis in a boat to his house in Washing- ton-street, about the 3d instant, and again to New-York in Beaver-street, on the 6th instant, and remained there about a quarter of an hour; this was the last time-he wai m the city. Davis sickened on the f)th or 10th, and died on the i3tk, Nichols Baisley, aged about 22 years, andhi« THE YELLOW FEVER. 59' sister Antoinette, aged about 11 years, inhabitants of Brooklyn, who occupied with their family the same house as Davis, died of Yellow Fever the 22d instant. The young man had been often in the city; but Mr. Isaacs could not say to what part of it he had gone. He was inclined to believe, that the sister had not been there. The inhabitants were removed from the house yesterday, by order of the magistrates. If this account be correct, is it not probable, that Da- vis has introduced the disease into that dwelling. If the sister of Baisley has not been to the city, and her disease was Yellow Fever, in what manner did she contract it ? I do not think it improbable, that Mr. Isaacs has taken his disease from Davis, although there are instances of 13 days having elapsed after exposure to the infected air of Yellow Fever; yet they arc very rare, as you have noticed, this season. The most frequent period has been from four to seven days after their removal from the infected district. Mr. Isaacs has assisted Davis' wife in attending him, and he was the only person who laid him out, and in six days after he sickened (on the 19th instant). Although Baisley's family did not visit Davis, when he was sick, yet they were exposed to his bedding, whkh was put into the yard immediately after his death, and kept there some days. With great respect, &c. JOSEPH UAYLEY, HON. STEPHEN ALLEN. On the 28th September, four cases were reported of Yellow Fever, two of whom had been sent to the Quar- antine Ground, one from the infected district, the other from 60 Broad-street. On the 29th no cases were re- ported; but two deaths. On the 30th there were six cases, one of which was stated to be convalescent, the other to be dead. Besides this last, there were four oth- er deaths reported. On the 30th September, the following was presented to the Common Council and ordered to be published. " To the Honourable the Mayor, Aldermen and Com- monalty of the city of New-York. 60 AN ACCOUNT OF *; The memorial of the undersigned clergymen of dif- ferent denominations of this city, respectfully suggests to your honourable body, that acknowledging as we do the being and Providence of the " only Lord (Jod our Lord Jesus Christ," and confessing as we must, a common criminality and demerit in his sight, and visited as we are with one of those desolating scourges, which himself ex- pressly challenges in his word, not only as a judgment, of which he is the righteous disposer ; but as one of his "sore judgments," upon a community of transgressors, and knowing as we may, that his own invisible agency appoints and controls, in sovereign wisdom, all the series of secondary causes, however, complex and inscrutible to man, it becomes us, every way in our collective char- acter as a city, and after the example of ancient Nineveh to " humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt us in due time." " The reasons and propriety of such a general humil- iation before God are sufficiently obvious, we fondly hope, to your honourable body. " Having thus suggested to your Honourable Body a measure which we confide in your wisdom to approve, because it seemed, all things considered, to be expedient an'd incumbent; a measure, which seems to be demand- ed, not more by our present circumstances and the as- pect of Divine Providence, than by the common consent of the wise and the good and praying, that "the wisdom that is from above," may enlighten all your deliberations and bless your administration, we subscribe ourselves, honourable Sirs, your friends and fellow citizens. J. B. Romeyn R. M'Cartee E. Washburn James G. Ogilvie N. Bangs S. Martindale Alexander M'Leod William Gray H. Peneveyre Isaac Chase S. N. Rowan Samuel H. Cox Samuel Nott, Jun. Ward Staford Nich. S. Marsdus Peter Ludlow, Jun. The Recorder then moved the following resolution. The Common Council conceiving it to be the duty of a community in a season of peculiar affliction to unite in THE YELLOW FEVER. 61 their spcial capacity in supplicating the favour of the Al- mighty to avert his judgment, and viewing the present visitation of sickness in our city as one of those events, which calls for the attention of the inhabitants, in implor- ing the Supreme Ruler of the Universe to stay the di- sease now prevailing amongst us. Therefore resolved, that the Common Council ear- nestly recommend to the inhabitants of this city, to se* apart and observe, Friday the I lth October, as a day of public humiliation and prayer to Almighty God, that he would be pleased to interfere in our behalf, and arrest the progress of the malady, and, in his infinite mercy, to re- store health to the city. And it is hereby recommended to all the citizens, to abstain from servile labour and un- necessary recreations on the above day ; and to devote the same to religious worship for the purposes aforesaid. The question being taken on adopting the resolution, it was unanimously carried, and referred to his Honor the Mayor to fix upon some day for the observance of the religious duties proposed. The Mayor, upon conversing with the Reverend the Clergy, fixed upon Friday the 1 lth instant, the day, which had been proposed by his Honor the Recorder. The day appointed for the performance of this solemn duty having arrived, the places of worship, in the lower parts of the town, were not, as mi(» Pearl-street, and two persons who had been nnved to the Q-jsarantmv Oiour.J.. John Led- G &i AN -ACCOUNT OF dy was reported to have died yesterday of Yellow Fever, at No- 28 Lombardy-street, without having had medical advice. His wife was taken sick soon after jiis death. The following was read and ordered to be published. New-York, October 22d, 1822. THE BOARD OF HEALTH TO THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS. The report of Yellow Fever cases for several dayshav- ing greatly diminished in number, it is to be feared, that some of those, who have removed from the infected part of the city may be induced to return, without duly reflect- ing on the consequences, that may result to themselves and families. Years of experience confirm the fact, that heretofore, nothing has effectually eradicated the Yellow Fever, after it has once commenced its ravages, except the appearance of black frost; and that those, who have been so thoughtless and imprudent as to return to the city before the occurrence alluded to, have dearly paid for their temerity by the sickness, and not unfrequently the fleath of some part of their families. To prevent this ca- tastrophe, the Board of Health earnestly entreat their fellow citizens, who have retired from that part of the city known to have been infected, not to return to their dwelling houses or stores, until officially notified, that ihe danger has entirely ceased, &c." This address con- tains several other powerful arguments to induce the citi- zens to a cheerful compliance with the recommendation of the Board. On the 4th October, two cases and one death were re- ported. The two cases were those of Laura Lawler and Edward Kearney, who both sickened at No. 50 Pearl- street, on the evening of the 2d instant. The Recorder moved, that the sum of $500 be granted to the committee for the purchase of lime to be made use of for purifying the atmosphere in the infected district. Pht motion was lost. The sum of £-400 was then pro- posed and agreed to. 5th October. Three cases and three deaths were re- ported. One of these was announced as a case and death nearly at the same time, viz. Mary, the wife of Charles Gs Pa„e, at No. 12 Ferry-street w-,v: Gold-strict. Shp THE YELLOW FEVER. 63 had been no nearer the infected district than the place al her residence. On the 6th there was only one case reported, viz. that of Letty Fairley at No. 28 Lombardy-street. The four following cases were referred to the Resident Physician, viz. John and James Voorliees, corner of John and Nas- sau Streets; William Roberts, Junior, in Maiden-lane, and a lady in the same house. The following letter from Dr. Osborne to the Resident Physician was read and ordered to be published. My Dear Sir, I am induced to address you, in consequence of a paragraph, which appeared in the American of last even- ing, and which I think calculated to give the Board of Health unjust impressions, respecting my professional conduct. I have never wished to be very forward in dis- seminating alarm, and have ever been ready to report cases, as soon as they should be characterised by those symptoms, which are cognizable by the Board of Health. Of five cases of fever, that have occurred, at Mr. Rob- erts', three have perfectly recovered, two are still seri- ously sick; but have not those aggravated symptoms, that will justify an unqualified declaration of malignancy. At Voorhees', corner of John and Nassau Streets, Mrs. Voorhees and daughter have recovered, after a few days illness—two lads are there sick, the second day of theit disease. All those patients, as there may be some mis- representation made to the Board, it is my earnest desire, that you would visit with me or with any mutual medical friend. The two remaining sick at Mr. Roberts' are his son, the 8th day of his disease, and the nurse Mrs. H, the second day. I am, Sir, repectfully, &c. SAMUEL OSBORN. DR. QUACKENBOSS." 6th October, 1822. On the 7th October, the following was presented to die Board, addressed to the president ■< Sir, "Pursuant to the request of the Board, Iyesterda\ •ove the ground plan of Lumber-street, while Greenwich-street it again ten feet below Lumber-. -freet, and Washington-street, perhaps, five feet below Greenwich. It results, therefore, that this body of earth, the surwee of which has no declivity to carry off the rah>, and which i« held in and encompassed by a massy wnlL THE YELLOW FEVER. 73 Is like a great reservoir of contaminating fluids suspended above the adjacent streets. As a proof of this we may state, -that in a house in Thames-street, springs of water pouring in from that ground, occasioned the removal of the tenants by their exceeding fcetidness and impurity. TL*. second circumstance is the number of bodies in- terred ; more than a century ago, this ground, by royal charter, having been assigned as a public burial place to the inhabitants of New-York. If we only advert to the deaths in our city, during the two last years, in 1820, 3815 ; and in 182J, 3810, we may easily calculate, what a considerable proportion of these must have been depos- ited there, since the Episcopalians are very numerous, and that cemetery is the privileged receptacle of stran- gers, or those, who do not belong to any particular reli- gion. Vv'e know also, that to satisfy the demand for room, a charnel house has been found necessary, to clear off the remains disinterred for new occupants. A third circumstance is the continual digging of graves, thus opening to their very sources vents to the gases, that must be produced in an enclosure, where no space for a new grave can be fixed upon, until an iron sound is forced through the earth to discover an old coffin decay- ed enough, to allow the remr,nlof its contents to the charnel house. This opening of the graves, as might be expected, creates an intolerable stench, often complained of and at present, testified to before the Board of Health by those living in the neighbourhood. Let us hope, that the situation of this cemetery, at pre- sent, exciting our fears will be speedily redressed, by the example of a sister city, who some years ago, con- verted a like cemetery into a healthy and ornamental square. Towards the end of September, it was observed, that several cases of Yellow Fever had been traced to the su- gar house in Liberty-street, and no small attention was excited thereby. Establishments of this kind, it is generally supposed, contribute to contaminate the at- umspere and assist in the spread of noxious and deadly effluvia. Part of the materials used in the refinement of Mi find a sufficient number of healthy persons to nurse the sick and inter the dead, that the said vessel afterwards came to this port and laid at the wharf between Rec- tor and Carlisle Streets, directly opposite to the housf of William S. Castle, block and pump maker, No. 106 Washington-street, where three of his family got sick of a very serious and alarming fever, from which, however, they recovered. This was called Bil- ious Remittent Fever. They had sickened about the be- ginning of July. Mr. Reeder s family and that of Mrs. Rose n -re soon after afflicted, and from them the disea.«" THE YtLLUU ttL,\tLtx. 75 began to spread. Others believed, that it was imported by a vessel from Matanza. The pestilence walketh in darkness, and though volumes have been written upon the subject of its origin, we now know just as much about it as we did thirty years ago, when the question first be- gan to be agitated. When an enemy gets into a garrison, the general may very probably hold a consultation with his officers. On what ? Will it be on this question, how did the enemy get in ? No, but, what will be the most easy means in our power to drive him out. I am sorry to say, that our physicians have not in general, acted in this man- ner. They have written letter after letter and pamphlet after pamphlet, expressing their opinions respecting the origin of fever. Would they not have been much better employed in devoting their time and talents, in a friendly manner, to devise the best mode of its prevention and, cure ? By the plan, which they have heretofore pursued, much acrimony has been excited, and no good has been done. With respect to the talents of our medical gen- tlemen, their honesty and integrity, I entertain the highest opinion ; but a man, who is not possessed of half the intelligence of any of them, may possibly be able to point out to them the propriety of paying some attention to the following subject, with respect to which, I now with great deference to them and to the public, submit a few hints. On the best mode of preventing the reappearance of Yellow Fever. Concerning this, as well as the origin and character of this formidable opinion, there is a considerable diversity of opinion, but upon some of the most important points, connected with the subject, men of reflection do not differ so widely as is generally imagined. It is agreed on all hands, that the disease is either imported or that it originates from local causes. Both may be right. It then appears to me, that by the adoption of a more rigid police than we have heretofore been accustom- ed to in this city, we might be able, by the blessing of God, to arrive at an effectual mode of guarding aguLn*: r6 AN ACCOUNT OF its introduction, from either of these sources. But in or- der, that we may attain this truly desirable object, I deem it an object of primary importance, that those, who may be empowered to make laws for the preservation of the public health, should act in such a manner, as if theybe- fieypd, that it might proceed from either, or from both of the two causes combined. Herein, in my opinion, rests our safety. It has fallen to my lot to see as much of the Yellow Fever, as, any other individual in the United States, as I was constantly employed by the Board of Health in ene capacity or another, from the year 1798, till the year 1814, when I resigned. It will now be the third time, that I have published a book respecting this disease, and as a matter of course, I have endeavoured, as well as I could, to investigate the cause of its origin. After much reflection upon the subject, I have, at last, come to this conclusion, that it maybe, and has been imported, and that it also may be, and has originated from local causes. In some of those years, in which we have been afflicted with pestilence, I have found no difficulty in tracing it to some vessel or vessels, which had arrived here from a foreign port; and in others after the most strict inquiry, I could not possibly devise any cause for it, except that it was ow- ing to the filth and dirt of various kinds, which had been allowed to accumulate in our cellars, yards, privies, &c. The opinion, which I have adopted, will not, as I am persuaded, meet with the approbation of some of our most respectable physicians, but much as 1 wish that my sentiments should accord with those of the wise and the good, I must be allowed to judge for myself. In the opinion, which I now hold, I may be wrong; but my er- ror, if I really be in error, cannot possibly be injurious to society. It is surely good policy, that when there is a probability of great danger, we cannot be too active in adopting means to avert it. If we suppose, that the ca- lamity, with which we have been lately afflicted, was brought to us from abroad, let our quarantine laws be made much more strict than they are, at present. I do not know what additions ought to be made to the existing law; but sm-e'v the subject is of the first importance and r« - THE YELLOW *EVEK. 77 quires an early attention from those, to whom the preser- vation of the public health is entrusted. Let them only devise the best means for effecting this salutary purpose ; and the legislature will, undoubtedly, grant them the ne cessary powers. That amendments are wanting is ob- vious, as our worthy Health Officer has, in some of his late communications to the board, requested an explana- tion of what they deemed to be the extent of his power in certain cases. Difficulties of this kind ought to be guarded against. It is obvious, however, that after enact- ing a law upon a subject so intricate as this, it will re- quire many amendments, the necessity of which time alone can discover, before it can be brought to answer effectually the purpose, for which it was intended. But let those, to whom this important business is entrusted persevere, and, in time they will most probably, accom- plish their object. It majr be said that the restrictions on our vessels at quarantine are already sufficiently great; but let me ask, whether, if by human wisdom, so dreadful a calamity as that, with which our city has been repeatedly afflicted can be averted, it would not be adviseable to make them still greater ? Owing to the speedy flight of our inhabitants, we have, this season, comparatively speaking lost few lives; but our trade and com- merce has sustained a shock from which they will not speedily recover, and if the return of so great a calamity can be averted by subjecting vessels at quarantine to greater restrictions than those, to which they are now li- able, our merchants will in general, cheerfully submit to the sacrifice. I have proceeded thus far, upon the supposition that the Yellow Fever was imported. Let us now take the opposite side of the question and believe that it proceeds from local origin. And here I should suppose, that it would be more easy to devise an effectual preventive than in the other case. Physicians, who have espoused opin- ions diametrically opposite to each other respecting the causes of pestilence in our city, are perfectly agr -ed upon this one point, viz. that Yrellow Fever never did spread in a pure atmosphere. The history of this dreadful di- sease in Europe, the West Indies, and in every city of II 2 AN ACCOUNT OF the United States, which has been afflicted by it, affords abundant proof of this fact. What then is to be done ? From whatever cause, it may be supposed to originate, such a degree of cleanliness and purity as may be found in the villages of the neighbourhood, or as near an ap- proximation to it as possible, ought to be attempted. During the winter season, the privies, in every part of the city, where it is thickly settled, ought to.be carefully examined by discreet persons, and the most effectual mode of remedying every thing, which bore the least re- semblance to a nuisance, ought promptly to be adopted. If the number of assistants attached to the Board of Health be not sufficient for the performance of this high- ly important duty, let them be doubled. No intelligent citizen will grudge the expense ; because if the greatest cleanliness, which is practicable in our city will not ef- fectually secure us from the retft-n of pestilence, it will certainly add greatly to our comfort. If any one has been in the country, for a few weeks in the summer, is he not greatly annoyed, on his return, by very offensive smells, which proceed from almost every quarter and from causes, for which he cannot very easily account ? The speedy remedy of this evil, therefore, requires the im- mediate attention of the Board of Health. Our streets, for these some years past, have been kept uncommonly filthy. The plan adopted for cleaning them is radically wrong, and so long as it is continued, it will be in vain, that we look for any radical amendment. According to the present system, the Corporation re- ceive from the contractor's about six thousand dollars per annum for the privilege of being permitted to remove the street manure. What an absurdity ? These contractors cause as much of the dirt to be taken up, as they think may best suit their purpose, and leave the rest behind to putrify and rot to the great danger of the health of the inhabitants. Dead hogs, dogs, cats, rats, &c. are permitted, to remain in our streets, for several days, during the warmest weather. Surely these things ought not so to be. I would now ask this question, whether it would not be much better to expend even ten thousand dollars per annum, and have »ur streets perfectly clean, than to receive six thousand dol- THE YELLOW fLVLU. 79 lars and have them kept in their present most scandalous state. New-York is the most populous as well as the most wealthy city i^the uni ju. Let it no longer be said, with truth, that it is the most filthy. I now come to anotuer evil, to which I think that some attention ought to be paid, I moan the large cemeteries, which exist in the very centre of our city. Upon this subject, it is necessary to write with great caution, as there are many, who deem it proper, that their own -bones and those of their relations should be deposited in consecrated ground. Far, very far be it from me to in- terfere with or to attempt to vilify the religious opinions of any one. This is a subject, on which every man ought, without censure, to be allowed to judge for him- self. I think, however, that a mode might be adopted, by which the interment of the dead in the city may be discontinued without interfering with the religious scru- ples of any one. Let the Corporation appropriate for a general burying ground as much of the public land as may be necessary for that purpose, at the distance of about two miles from what is now the thick settled part of the city. Let this be fenced in, in a handsome man- ner, laid out in walks and planted with weeping willows or some other trees, which have a gloomy appearance. Let this general burying ground be laid out in lots appro- priated for the use of the different religious societies in the city, and if any of these societies should wish that the spot allotted to them should be consecrated according to the rites of their church, to this there would be no objec- tion. Here then every difficulty can be easily obviated. Are prayers supposed to be necessary for the dead, if the clergyman should find it inconvenient to accompany the deceased to the burying ground, let the corpse be brought to the church to which he belonged and there let the solemnities deemed necessary be performed. The body might then be conveyed to its long home, accom- panied not by such a large retinue of thoughtless folks, as now attend funerals, and who, during the procession, talk of goods, wares and merchandize, as if nothing serious had happened; but by a few weeping friends, who deep- ly impressed by the loss of the deceased, would, during 80 AN ACCOUNT OF their mournful walk be discoursing upon such subjects as was suitable for the occasion, In the centre of this bury- ing ground, a place of worship might be erected, which should be common to all denominations, and here, upon certain days, agreed upon for the purpose, the clergy. men of every particular sect might deliver to their respec- tive congregations, suitable orations on the necessity of preparing for death and on the immortality of the soul. Were a mode of this kind adopted, it appears to me, that, in a short time, we would be surprised at the man- ner, in which we now conduct interments. Agreeably to the present arrangement as enacted by the law of the State, there are three Commissioners ap- pointed for the Health Department, one of whom is de- nominated the Health Officer, who, during the summer and autumnal months, necessarily resides at the Quaran- tine Ground; one the Resident Physician, and a third commonly called the Health Commissioner. The last of these gentlemen, Dr. Jacob Dyckman, although as active as any man could be in the discharge of his duty, was obliged in consequence of a bad state of health, to retire from the city. At a very important period, therefore, the Board lost his services, which from his well known industry and talents, would have, no doubt, been of great importance to -the public. The duties assigned to the Resident Physician have, therefore, during the late season, been peculiarly arduous, and too much for one man to execute. Would it not, therefore be well, that hereafter instead of two Health Commissioners to reside in the city three should be appointed, whose business it should be amongst other things, particularly to attend to the very first alarm of any kind of malignant disease, to consult together on the subject, and to give the most early notice of their opinion to the President of the Board of Health. The appointment of this additional officer would cost the Corporation #1000 per annum; but if it can, in the least, conduce to the object, which every good citizen has in view, viz. the preservation of the pub- lic health, no one will be found so penurious, as to object to it. Having now given my own opinion upon this interest- THE YELLOW FEVER. 81 ing subject, I shall proceed to give a brief statement of those of others. The following excellent address appear- ed in the Advocate of October 26th, and is headed thus: THE LATE FEVER. " By this name," says Mr. Noah, " we can now call the fever, which, during the summer and fall has pre- vailed in this city, and which, under Providence may be considered nearly, if not totally extinct. Now," says he, " that the danger is over, the season of deliberation has arrived and deeply should every citizen consider the cause and effects of this terrible disease, and unite in the best mode of preventing its future recurrence. " No city in the Union has a more adve.ntageous posi- tion for all the purposes of trade and commerce than New-York, Within a few hours sail of the ocean, a bold and safe harbour, with a great and flourishing back country, improved by roads and inland navigation. The rapid growth of this city; the increased numbers of mer chants and bailers; the vast amount of importation and revenue; the numerous purchases made by merchants from almost every state of the union; the great amount of money operations; the increased and increasing capi- tal of money institutions; the capital also engaged in manufactures; the aggregate of tonnage, and the im- mense number of coasting and river craft unite in their consequences to make New-York the London of America. " The public buildings and institutions," says Mr. Noah, " are splendid and numerous and the city affords every comfort and convenience, which necessity or luxu- ry can require. In this picture there is only one dark shade; we are occasionally visited by Yclloio Fever, which, though not accompanied with a great loss of lives, is attended with a great sacrifice of business, comfort and convenience. It is now incumbent upon all citizens to unite heart and hand, in order to devise the best means to keep this city healthy; to retain its foreign and inland trade, and to secjre that prosperity, which nature and art has designed S2 AN ACCOUNT OF for it. This must and can be done, and it will never ar* swer for our inhabitants to sit by the fire-side and forget the past, and enjoy the present without reference to the future. They must recollect that if their lives be spared, posterity has powerful claims upon them. One fact is indisputable; the position of New-York is undoubtedly as healthy as any in the world; it is sur- rounded by no marsh or low land; it is flanked by two noble rivers and constantly enjoys the sea and land breeze. The only points of importance, to which pub- lic attention must be fixed are those which relate to the importation and origin of Yellow Fever. Both ave- nues to disease must be guarded against; arrangements must be made to select a suitable spot in the vicinity of the city, where all vessels coming from unhealthy or sus- picious ports may land their cargoes, take in a new freight, and pursue their voyage without coming to the wharves in the city, and there will all those, who believe in the importation of fever, be at once satisfied. The great and unremitted exertions, however, relate to the city; and a new, organized and approved system must be adopted. Much depends upon the manner in which we begin the work of reformation, and upon this step may rest the entire success of the whole project. We would suggest that the Common Council should commence at a very early period after the return of the inhabitants, by ap- pointing five citizens of information from each ward, whe shall, gratuitously visit each house, yard, cellar and wharf in the ward, attended by a medical friend, and make report to the Corporation of the situation of such ward as relates to every object connected with public health. This will be a great medical map of the city which will present, at one view, the situation and points, which requires the immediate attention of the public authorities. The introduction of water in copious quantities is another and indispensible object connected with health and comfort, and this project, however expensive, will nett an immense revenue to the Corporation, while it will produce the greatest benefit to the publiot On this point, THE YELLOW FEVER. as there is no diversity of opinion. A private company will undertake to introduce water from the Bronx, if the Cor- poration shall decline to do it. A sufficient number of active and respectable Street Inspectors: the organization of a new Board of Health, with extensive powers; the establishment of a permanent health tax, to be applied only for that object, &c. and finally a close and unre- mitting attention to all and every object, which may pro- mote public health will be the,.bounden and paramount duty of the public authorities. " This subject," says he, " must be treated in the most serious and decided manner; it must take the lead of every other question; it must enlist every pen, com- mand every press; for if the fever should prevail in this city, for two or three years in succession, we shall de- cline in prosperity as rapidly as we have advanced, &c." He ends thus. " If this calamity can be prevented by expending a million of dollars, we shall purchase it cheaply."* mooe of treating the yellow fever. In the year 1819, Dr. Hosack at the request of ?»Ir. Golden, who was then Mayor, addressed a letter to the Board of Health, containing a mode of treatment for those persons, who might be attacked with Yellow Fe- ver after having left the city. The mode recommended, though simple, has been productive of the most beneficial effects in \arious instances where persons afflicted with it, were beyond the reach of medical aid. It was pub- lisbo'i |)V the Board, on the day after it had been receiv- ed in the following manner. Board of Health, September 21st, 1819. The following valuable communication drawn up by Doctor Hosack at the request of the Mayor, is published by desire of the Board of Health. J. MORTON, Sec'ry. * 1 would have cheerfully transcribed every word of this ex- cellent cs«ay, but my limit's rendered it necessary, that I should ruitail it. 8i AN ACCOUNT OF New-York, September 20th, 1819. Dear Sir, As many of our citizens are now removing from the infected parts of the town, to the country, it is probable, judging from the occurrences of former years, that some may take with them the seeds of the prevailing disease., in such cases, especially where the sick may not have it in their power to command the attention of a physician, it is important, that they should have some knowledge of the treatment proper to be pursued. Agreeably to your request, I have put together a few hints,, pointing out the means, that experience has shewn to be attended with the greatest success. When first indisposed by the symptoms announcing an attack of this disorder, viz. a sense of coldness, follow- ed by severe pains of the head, back and limbs, great red- ness and burning of the eyes, with a degree of weight and oppression about the region of the stomach, the patient should immediately take an ounce of glauber, rochelle or epsom salts, drinking frequently a cup of thin gruel, toast- water, or herb tea, during their operation. The patient being in bed, and covered with a blanket, perspiration is generally promoted at the same time, that" the cathartic effects of the salts are produced. Should the salts be rejected by vomiting, let the stom- ach be well supplied by a cup of warm water or camomile tea. When the stomach is composed, the salts may be again resorted to, or some other cathartic medicine may be administered, such a, castor oil, rubarb and magnesia, or the common domestic injection may be had recourse to. When, by some of those means, the bowels have been relieved, the patient should continue the use of warm drinks, for the purpose of promoting perspiration, upon which, in a great degree, his safety depends. Should the skin remain hot and dry, bathing the feet and legs in warm water, and drinking freely of warm le- monade, vinegar w'- >y, catnip, boneset, snake root, balm or sage tea, will rarely fail to affect a plentiful discharge by the surface. The spirits of mindererus given in do- ses of a table spoonful, every two hours, and occasionally THE YELLOW FEVER. & spunging the body with warm vinegar and water will also be very useful in effecting this object. The perspiration being thus obtained, should be con- tinued, if possible without intermission until the patient is perfectly free from fever, which will generally be the case in about 48 hours. If the head be oppressed by stupor, a blister between the shoulders or two of them applied behind the ears will be useful. In an athletic habit of body, the loss of a few ounces of blood by cupping or by the arm, has, in «ome instances, afforded great relief; but this remedy is very rarely necessary or proper, for in most cases blood letting has been attended with fatal consequences. If the stomach is disturbed and the drinks are rejected by vomiting attended with much anxiety or sighing, a blister should be instantly applied over the pit of the sto- mach. If this fails to give relief and the vomiting should prove obstinate, attended with dark coloured discharges, a mixture of equal parts of lime water and milk, given in small quantities (say half a wine glass full of each every half hour) will frequently arrest it. In some cases, the lime water alone, and, in others the milk alone, has been found useful, while, in some few cases porter and lime water combined has been successful, when every thing else has proved ineffectual. Y hile these means are made use of, the extremities should be kept warm by fomentations of vinegar and wa- ter, or spirits and water frequently renewed, and cata- plasms composed of meal, mustard and vinegar should be applied to the soles of the feet. In some instances, blisters applied to the ancles or to the wrists have arrested a vomiting that had resisted every other means. The diet of the sick, in this disease, should be simple and chiefly composed of vegetable nourishments, such as barley water, indian or oatmeal gruel, arrowroot, sago and panada, and, for a few days, during convalescence, the patient should altogether avoid animal food, and when he returns to the use of it, he should first take it in the form of soups, and these prepared with a large pro- portion of rice, barley and other vegetables. Emetics and mercury, which are generally prescribed I 86 AN ACCOUNT OF in the bilious remittent and typhus fevers, are, for tin- most part, prejudicial in this form of fever, and ought seldom to be employed and then only under the direction of a physician. Allow me to add this truth, however humiliating it may be to the,pride of science, and I mention it in con- firmation of the good effects of this comparatively mild treatment, that, in the Yellow Fever of I79b,underthe direction of Richardson Underhill, a member of the So- ciety of Friends, who like another Howard, volunteered his services to the poor, on that memorable occasion, a greater proportion of persons ill of that disease, were cur- ed by means of castor oil and catnip than by those more active prescriptions employed by many of the physicians of our city. With the hope, that these suggestions may be useful, I am, Dear Sir, &c. DAVID HOSACK. THE HON. CADWALLADER D. COLDEN. Of the best mode of purifying houses after the occur- rence of Yellow Fever. Upon this subject I have already given the opinion of Dr. Pascalis. Propriety requires, that I should, likewise, give that of Doctor Hosack, which was published in the Evening Post on the 26th of October and afterwards re- published in several other papers. It fortunately happens. that neither of their recommendations can be of use to our fellow citizens at present; but as I am persuaded, that some persons will preserve this little volume, I deem it proper to insert it, as in case of the occurrence of a simi- lar calamity either in this city or in any other in the Uni- ted States at a future period, it may be the means of pre- serving a number of valuable lives. The Doctor, after several pertinent observations pro- ceeds thus. " By his fellow citizens it should be remem- bered, that, in former years, after every such visitation offeverashns now been experienced, numerous case* occurred, wherein persons returning from the pure ait of the country, to their dwellings in the city, before a d"t THE YELLOW FEVER. *7 cleansing and ventilation had taken place of the apartments that had been occupied by the sick, or which were within the sphere of the morbid poison, have become infected, and have fallen victims to the disease. To guard against similar consequences is the object of the few following di- rections to those who may be thus exposed. The public bein<* apprised by the Board of Health, when a due de- gree°of cold shall have occurred, and the citizens may te- turn in safety to their homes, I should still advise atten- tion to the following directions:— First.—Upon opening the doors of their dwellings, the external air should have a free admission for a short time previous to their entrance; for although a severe frost may have existed in the outer atmosphere, it does not follow that the same degree of cold has produced its full effect upon the warm air inclosed within the dwellings^ that have been for many weeks shut up. Secondly.—Let all the doors and windows of the house be thrown open, so as to secure a free passage of air throughout all its apartments—this too will be greatly promoted by making small fires in the principal rooms of the house. Thirdly.—Let the floors be cleansed by soap and wa- ter, and the walls of the apartments white-washed. In houses that have been occupied by the sick, this measure and that which follows, are indispensably necessary. Fourthly.—Let the air be purified by the following process—place an ounce of finely powdered salt-petre in a common saucer, and pour upon it an ounce of the oil of vitriol. Saucers thus prepared should be distributed in different parts of the house, one or two on each floor, according to the dimensions of the building. If they are placed upon chafing dishes, the decomposition of the ni- tre, and the diffusion of the gas that is extricated, will be sooner effected. I am aware that the chlorine or oxy- muriatic acid vapour is preferred by many; but as man- ganese, which is necessary for its preparation, is not readily obtained in sufficient quantity at this time, and as the nitric acid vapour is well ascertained to afford a pow- erful antidote to infection, I do not think it necessary to encumber this advice by formula?, that are not likely to be adooted. $8 AN ACCOUNT OF In addition to the testimony advanced in the valuable letters of Mr. Griscom, lately published, I remark, that the above processes for disinfecting impure air, have not only been adopted in the navy, in the military hospitals, «;nd the prisons of Great Britain, but they have also been carried into operation with the greatest success, for the suppression of typhus and other malignant and contagious fevers, in all the hospitals, fever wards, and houses of recovery, belonging to and connected with the extensive manufacturing establishments of Manchester, Birming- ham, Chester, &c. The salutary effects of these chemical agents have also been satisfactorily established, not only by the reiterated experience of Carmichael Smith and Guyton de Mor- veau, but their efficacy has also been attested by the truly respectable names of Percival, Currie, Ferriar and Hen- ry, whose observations may be found by consulting the i: Memoirs of the Manchester Board of Health," a work recently received in this country. With the hope that these remarks may be found useful, I am, dear sir, youra, DAVID HOSACK. I now come to a subject, which has heretofore excited very little inquiry in the United States ; but which how- ever, is of very great importance^viz. Can the Yellow Fever be taken a second time. On this interesting subject, I have before me a letter on febrile contagion, addressed to Dr. Hosack, by John W. Francis, M. D. &c. dated, London, 16th June, 1816. It contains much valuable and truly interesting matter, the whole of which I would have inserted with pleasure; but my limits compel me to the selection of a very few extracts. I would observe, however, that it was published in the New-York Medical and Physical Journal, Vol. 1. Edited, by Drs. Francis, Beck, and Dyckman, and that it is well worthy of the perusal of every practitioner of medicine, whatever his opinion may be with respect to th? contagious nature of Yellow Fever. THE YELLOW FEVER. &gJ The Dr. says, that Dr. Pym, in his observations, has attempted to prove that the fever of Gibraltar was the same as the Bulam fever, so happily described by the learned and distinguished Chisholm ; that it is a disease totally distinct from the Billious Remittent Fever of warm climates; that it has no connection with or relation to marsh miasmmata; that it appears in the West-Indies only under peculiar circumstances ; that it is contagions, and under a certain degree of temperature may be prop- agated from one country to another ; that it attacks, in u comparatively mild form, natives of a warm climate, or Europeans whose constitutions have been assimilated to a warm chmate ; and that it differs from all other fevers, in having its contagious powers increased by heat, and destroyed by cold, or even by a free circulation of mode- rately cool air. • But I have says he, to solicit your attention to another important circumstance made known in the volumes of Dr. Pym and Sir James Fellows, and to communicate which this letter has been written. Dr. Pym, who had the advantage of seeing the disease not only in Europe but in the West Indies, contends, that the Bulam fever attacks the human frame but once ; and supports this position by the strongest proof. " Two proofs of the Bulam fever not attacking a se- cond time, were in the 70th and 55th regiments. The first suffered severely from the disease in the West-Indies, in the year 1794, and returned to that climate from Eu- rope in the year 1800, filled up with new officers, with the exception of six, who had had the fever at a former period in the West Indies, and who now escaped it, although the corps buried ten of the newly appointed officers in a very short time." " Upon a moderate computation, there were one hun- dred and fifty officers ('civil and military) at Gibraltar, who had not had the disease before, and twenty-five who had passed it in the West-Indies ; and making an allow- ance for one or two doubtful cases, where the disease was so mild as not to confine the patient to the bed; one hundred and forty-five at least out of the one hundred and fifty were attacked by it, while every individual of 90 AN ACCOUNT OF the twenty-five who had it before escaped it; proof posj- five, that the Gibraltar, West-India, or Bulam fever, are the same disease, and that the human frame is not liable to be attacked by it a second time, even after a lapse of ten years." Appendix to Dr. Pym's Observations. At Cadiz, last year, though the fever put on the very worst symptoms, and destroyed the patient frequently in forty-eight hours, the deaths did not exceed, in a popula- lion of upwards of sevenfy thousand, fifty a day; and these were chiefly strangers. The Spaniards are so fully convinced they cannot receive the infection a second time, that having passed the disease is matter of great re- joicing among them. Consult the transactions of that active and distingdished association, the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London, vol. 5, for more ample details. The immunity of the constitution from a second attack of Yellow Fever, is a peculiarity so strikingly character- istic of most disorders of an acknowledged specific na- lure, and of such great practical interest both in asocial r.nd political point of view, that it is extraordinary it .should have met with so little notice before Professor Arejula made mention of it in the year 1806. In the Facts and Observations of the College of Phy- sicians of Philadelphia, on the nature and origin of the pestilential fever, after establishing the identity of the Yellow Fever which existed in that city in 1793, 1797 and 1798, with the West-India pestilence, the College states that it is a circumstanee that deserves particular at- tention, that" very few, if any, of the Creole French in this city, [Philadelphia] suffered from the contagious malignant fever which prevailed here in 1793, 1797 and 1798, though the disease was introduced into their fami- lies; and children born in this country of Creole parents, died with it last autumn, while the parents and the chil- dren born in the West-Indies were entirely exempt from it." Dr. Currie tells us, that the French West-Indian»j particularly those from St. Domingo, almost to a man, escaped the disorder, though they made use of no pre- caution for the purpose, " while those from France were THE YELLOW FEVER. 9* as liable to it as the Philadelphians." Nothing in rela- tion to the security from a second attack of the disease is advanced by the late Professor Bayley, in his excellent volume on the Epidemic Fever of New-York, in 1795; though in the Collection of Papers published by Mr. Webster, this writer on the epidemic of New-York, of the same year, alleges that he knew not a decided in- stance of an individual labouring under a second sei- zure.-------But at present 1 am not duly prepared to en- large on this point, by reference to other American au- thorities. Permit me now to make known to you the important results of the recent deliberations of two of the most dis- tinguished medical associations of this kingdom. The decisions of the Royal College of Physicians of London and of the Army Medical Board are at length brought to a close. These two learned bodies, alike distinguished for scientific attainment and practical knowledge, have been for a considerable time past devoted to a considera- tion of all the facts connected with the nature and char- acter of the Yellow Fever, particularly as it has of late years appeared in Spain. The Royal College have pro- nounced that the Yellow Fever is a highly contagious disease, which decision they have reported to the Lords of the Privy Council. With respect to its attacking the human frame but once, they say they think it extremely probable, but that upon a point of such importance they cannot venture to give a decided opinion. The Army Medical Board, at the head of which presides Sir James M'Gregor, have also given it as their opinion, in the following words: (COPY.) EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT UPON DR. PYm's PUBLICA- TION BY THE ARMY MEDICAL BOARD. Army Medical Board Office, 6th May, 1816. " It is due to Dr. Pym to state, that we consider him fo have been the first English medical man who promul- gated the opinion, that the disease in question (the Bulam Fever") is capable of attacking the human frame but once j 32 AN ACCOUNT OF and if that opinion be correct, which we believe it to be, it is certainly an important fact, and led Dr. Pym to em- ploy those persons as attendants on the sick, who had undergone the disease, and therefore were not likely to be affected by the contagion of it, and thus probably sa- ved many lives. Under these impressions, we beg leave to recommend the industry and research displayed by Dr. Pym, in his book, to Lord Palmerstone's favourable ■consideration. "Signed, "J. M l ^* STREETS. CO B cS Q UPPER DISTRICT Cheapside - - 11 6 Lombardy - - 13 b Bancker - - 7 5 Catharine - - 4 3 Lewis, Grand - 2 2 STREETS. Frequented the sickly district but reside in the healthy part of the city - Total - - 46 28 RECAPITULATION. Cases in Lower District ------ 355 Cases in Upper District ......4" Total..........JW Deaths in Lower District -.....2^2 Deaths in Upper District......28 Total..........230 The foregoing exhibit includes several cases which have not been reported to the Board of Health, but they are all such, as warranted a belief in the information re- ceived, that they were cases of Yellow Fever. By order of the Board. STEPHEN ALLEN, Pres. J. MORTON, Secr'y. A LIST Of all the cases and deaths occasioned by Yellow Fe- ver as reported to the Board of Health, or other- toise ascertained from l6th July, to 26th. Oc- tober, 1822. DATES. 60 U *> C DATES. 60 60 i-<5 July 16 - - 1 l 24 - - 6 4 17 - - 4 3 25 - - 5 4 20 - - 1 1 26 - - 4 1 25 - - 3 1 27 - . 4 4 26 - - 4 2 28 - . 6 6 29 - - 3 1 29 - . 6 2 30 - - 2 1 30 - . 4 3 Aug. 3 - - 1 1 31 - . 4 3 4 5 m - 1 2 1 0 Sept. 1 2 : - 4 5 4 3 6 - - 4 3 4 - - 9 5 9 - - 9 4 5 - , 10 8 10 - - 2 1 6 - - 3 2 11 - - 1 0 7 - . 6 1 12 - - 1 1 8 - . 6 4 13 - - 4 1 9 - - 6 4 14 - - 3 1 10 . - 6 2 15 - - 1 1 11 _ . 10 4 16 - - 3 2 12 - - 7 3 17 - - 3 2 13 - - 5 2 18 - - 1 1 14 . - 5 2 19 - - 6 5 15 . - 11 6 20 - - 4 4 16 - . 9 4 21 - - 7 4 17 - - 3 2 22 - - 4 2 18 - . 5 2 23 - - 5 1 19 - - 7 2 100 AN ACCOUNT OF eo =0 DATES 60 3 DATE 20 - - 12 7 9 21 - - 4 <■-> 10 22 - - 11 6 11 23 - - 12 6 12 24 . - 9 2 13 25 - - 8 6 14 " 26 - - 12 6 15 27 - - 9 5 16 28 - - 4 2 17 29 - - 0 0 18 Oct. 1 - - 2 0 19 o - - 4 2 20 1 3 - • 3 2 21 4 - - 4 2 22 5 - - 7 2 23 6 - - 1 1 24 7 - . 8 3 25 s - . 4 S 26 K. 6 3 6 0 2 1 2 1 2 1 j 1 4 2 3 2 10 8 6 4 9 7 4 1 0 0 3 2 2 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 THE YELLOW FEVER. 101 A LIST Of those who Died of Yellow Fever contracted in the City of New-York, from l6th July to November, 1822. A August 1.—Archer Leonard W. corner of Greenwich and Rector Streets. 28.—Agg Thomas, from 96 Broadway; Albany. 26.—Atkinson Mary, wife of William, from 47 Greenwich-street; Marine Hospital. September .—Ackerly Mr. from the city of Wash- ington, landed in or near the infected district; in Canal- street. 21.—Adams Mrs. Sterling, from No. 107 Fulton- street; Carleton-street. 24.—Allen Mrs., the wife of Thomas, from Duane- street, near Broadway; at Hoboken, N. J. 28.—Armstrong Henry, 163 Washington-street. October 29.—Archad Susan, Henry-street. B August 19.—Beck William, who had been in the in- fected district; 98 Harman-street. 23.—Brown Thomas, 14 Thames-street. 28.—Boulinger Edward, from 84 Broadway; Marine Hospital. 28.—Buckmaster Mrs., from Beaver-lane; Marine Hospital. September 29.—Bailey Mrs. Eliza, from 12 Cheap- side-street; Marine Hospital. 30.—Bailey Miss Eliza, Marine Hospital. 24.—Baisely Nicholas, who had been in the infected district; Brooklyn. 26.—Baisely Antoinette, his daughter, aged 11 years; Brooklyn. 21.—Bayley Catharine, 12 Cheapside-street. 23.—Beeker Victor, from 68 Beaver-street; Marine Hospital. K 2 102 AN ACCOUNT OF 20.—Bennet Mrs., from 43 Courtlandt-street; Marine Hospital. 20.—Benthoyzen Patty, 124 Washington-street. 15.—Berault Mrs., next to the corner of Wall and Br6ad Streets; Bloomingdale. 22.—Bityerman John, from the Sugar House in Lib- erty-street; 156 Crosby-street. 28.—BoyceFrederick, from 11 Dutch-street; Marine Hospital. 30.—Brightley Alfred, 80 Water-street. 20.—Brown Hannah, 18 Cheapside-street. 8.—Buchan Thomas, from the infected district; 221 Church-street. .—Bull William H. from 2 Wall-street; at the five mile stone. 24.—Bunn Reuben, shoemaker, 69 William-street. 8.—Bush Reader, from the Sugar House in Liberty-' street; 77 Mott-street. 20.—Byrne Murtagh, from 124 Fly-Market, at Har- laem. October 16.—Ball Abraham, 67 Water-street. 7.—Balsdon Josiah, 168 Water-street. 19.—Beach Agur, 496 Greenwich-street. 18.—Blakely Isabella, corner of Vesey and Wash- ington Streets. 9.—Brisland John, 343 Water-street. 24.—Burns Christopher, .48 Pearl-street. 23.—Butler Alexander, from Catharine-street; Marine Hospital. .—Boy, (coloured) 42 Broad-street. 28.—Bower Thomas, 7 Ferry-street. C August 12.—Cade Thomas, from 6l Lumber-street; 392 Division-street. 27-—Clayton Thomas, 12 Thames-street. .—Coates Mrs., from 122 Liberty-street; at 295 Bowery. .—Coates, her son, do. 31—Constantine Miss, from corner of New and Wall Streets; Bowery. 30.—Coxen Dinah, from 21 Cedar-street; 24 Gar- den-street. THE YELLOW FEVER. 103 September8.—Carney John, from 5 Courtlandt; at 81 Orange-street. .—Corwin Mrs. 28 Park. 13.—Carney Miss, from 5 Courtlandt-street; at Kip's Bay. 13.—Cary Mrs., from 4 Lombardy-street; Staten- Island 1.—Cato Catharine, from corner of West and Liberty Streets; Staten-Island. 8.—Chace David, who had been in Wail-street near Broadway; 380 Pearl-street. 10.—Christy Dupeire, 42 Courtlandt-street. 23.—Cisco William, who had been in the infected district; corner of Charleton and Washington Streets. 28.—Claar Mrs. Sarah, 75 Cherry-street. 5.—Coit Mrs., from 92 Chamber-street; at Kip's Bay. 22.—Conklin John, 177 Fulton-street. 10.—Corton Abel, from corner of Nassau and Pine Streets; Marine Hospital. 22.—Cowen John, foot of Murray-street; Marine Hospital. October 20.—Chappeau Clarissa, 128 Banker-street. 20.—Clark Mary, from 31 Lumber-street; at 217 Chapel-street. 20.—Crawford Elizabeth, 128 Banker-street. 19-—Curriel Joseph, 349 Water-street. 28.—Carroll Mary, Pike-street. D August 17-—Decker Jeremiah, from Rector-street; 306 Spring-street. 18.—Dennies I. C. from Carlisle-street; City Jersey. 31.—Ditchett Samuel, from 82 Broadway; Marine Hospital. 17.—Doughty David S. from 87 Greenwich-street; 6 Roosevelt-street. 29—Dykeman Joseph, from the infected district; Walker-street. September .—Dally James, from 6l Cedar-street 5 17 Harman-street. 22.—Darly Mrs. from 23 Broad-street; Newark, N. J. 104 AN ACCOUNT OP .—Davis Thomas, 199 Fulton-street. 13.—Davis John, from 42 Washington-st. Brook lyn. 13.—Davison George, from Broadway near Court- landt-street; 28 Barclay-street. 24.—Dickson Ann, from Fort Richmond; Marine Hospital. 26.—Dickson Andrew, from Do. at Do. 1.—Dixon John, from 74 Liberty-street; 59 Thorn. as-street. 8.—Dover John; 164 Broadway. October 8.—Dempsey Catharine; 88 Front-street. 11.—Dempsey John, from 88 Front-street; Marine Hospital. 22.—Denn Patrick, who had been at 14 Broadway: 62 Barclay-street. 27.—Devoe Samuel; 19 Water-street. ^,2,3;TDibbeit John> d&y aud night "atchman; 31 Old Slip. E September 29.—Earl Martin; 99 Vesey-street. October 10.—Edward Mr., 52 Lombardy-street. 17-—Eldred Israel, who had been in Rector-street: Bloomingdale. .—Everson Alfred, at Springfield, N. J. F August 18.—Floyd Dr. Samuel, from 130 Greenwich- street; City Jersey. September 23.—Fraitus Mrs., from corner of Pearl and State Streets; Bloomingdale. October 7.—Fairley Sally; 28 Lombardy-street 24.—Ferguson Matthew, 24 Lombardy-street G October 7.—Garland John, from 49 Water-street; Marine Hospital. 5.—Garnis Philip, a day watchman in the infected district; 16 James-street. 10.—Grant Ebenezer T. 205 William-street, 30.—Goodrich Henry, 68 Vesey-street A H JS^ftx trHafi,t0n John> who had been ia Rector- street, ZSS Howard-street. THE YELLOW FEVER 105 8.—Heffernan Thomas, from 95 Washington-street; New-York Hospital. .—Hill John, from 6 Albany-street* City Jersey. 7.—Hill Polly; 6 Albany-street. Sentember 18.—Hamilton George, from corner of Whitehall and Stone-streets; 50 Mercer-street. 28.—Haywood John, who had been in the infected district; 138 Water-street. .—Hawser Martin, Sullivan-street; from 42 Liber- ty-street. .—Hartman Harman, from Sugar House in Liber- ty-street; 118 Forsyth-street. 30.—Haywood Polly; 138 Water-street. 1.__Helm U. W. who had been at the corner of New and Wall Streets; 35 Pearl-street. 24.—Hopkins Daniel C. Lewis near Delancey-st. 0.—Howland Lydia, corner of Cedar and Temple Streets. 13.—Hume Catharine, from 4 Bowling Green; Ma- rine Hospital. October .—Harris Elisha, from 1 Old-Slip; New Canaan, (Connecticut.) 5.—Hull John, a day and night watchman, 50 Pearl-st. 5.—Hull Nancy, wife of the above named John, at the same place. I September 25.—Isaacs Samuel M. sent from Brook- lyn to the Marine Hospital. October 12.—Irving John, who had been distributing lime; 19 Cross-street. August 31.—Jackson Elizabeth, 152 Chamber-street. 26.—Jenkinson Jane, who had been through Cedar- street; 62 Broadway. September 11.—Jaques D. who had been in the infect- ed district; New-Jersey. 19._Jaques Henry Freeman; 29 Pearl-street. 19._Jones Ellis, from 99 Washington-street; 158 Harman-street. October 24.—Jones Catharine; 7 Cheapside-street. 30.—Jones Henrietta, 7 Cheapside-street. 106 AN ACCOUNT OF K August 15.—Kampmeyer John, from Washington near Rector-street; 174 Broadway. 13.—Kaylor Mrs. from Rector-street; Harlaem. 21.—Keith Ansell, from 10 Lumber-st.; Yandafn-st, 24.—Kemp Mrs., from 6l Broadway; Brooklyn. 22.—Kerney Robert, dock builder, 40 Washington-st. 15.—Kline John, a labourer from the infected district;. 158 Harman-street. 24.—Knott John, 78 Cedar-street. September 15.—Kewin James, from Liberty-street; 8 Thomas-street. 4.—Knott Miss,from78 Cedar-street; Newtown,L.I, .—Kerney John, 81 Orange-street. .—Kerney Miss, sister of John, from do. October 6.—Ketchum Sarah, 29 Gold-street. 18.—Krough"Martin. 343 Water-street. 29—Kelly Catharine, from 25 Old Slip. Li September 30.—Ladda John, 28 Lombardy-street. 5.—Lamb Cornelius H. 80 Water-street. ^ 22.—Languors Peter, from 43 Courtlandt-street; Ma- rine Hospital. 1.—Law John, from New-street; Newark, N. J. 1.—Lawson William, from 45 Courtlandt-street; Middletown Point, N. J. 2.—Luff John N. had been at 41 Broad-st.; Grand-st. October 9.—Lyon Mrs., wife of Samuel, 11 Ann-st. SI.—Leland Bellamin, 65 Water-street. —.Lawrence Lathcura, 325 Greenwich-street. M August 20.—M'Kenna John, from Cedar-street; cor- ner of Washington and Chamber Streets. 30—Mathers Joseph, from 40 Broadway: Greenwich Village. J' 28—Mathers Mrs., wife of Joseph; same place. 10.—Moore Elizabeth, from Rector-street: Hamilton Square. 30—Morrison Mrs., from 43 Broadway; Sullivan-st. 14—Muchptt Miss, from corner of Lumber and Rec- tor Streets; Newark, N. J. September 4—M'Catharty Ann, 4 Greenwich-street. THE YELLOW FEYEK. 107 26.—M'Ginnis James, from 123 Greenwich-street; J 9 Broadway. 17.—M'Phelan Martin, from City Hotel; Marine Hospital. 9.—M'Pherson Elizabeth, from Beaver-lane; Mid- dletown Point, -N. J. 9.—Her sister, at the same place. . 18.—Magee Deborah, aged 51, wife of Safety Magee; 46 Pine-street. 7.—Mathewson Lawrance, New near Beaver-street. 14.—Merritt Mary, 69 Courtlandt-street. .—Morgan William, from Carlisle-st.; Amboy, N. J. .—Morgan Mrs. do. do 8.—Morris Mary, from 144 Washington-street; 19 Desbrosses-street. 12 —Morse Mrs. Ebenezer, from 5 Courtlandt-street; Hubert-street. 19.—Mott George W. from 4 Lombardy-street; Ma- rine Hospital. .—Mason Thomas, from 62 Courtlandt-street; Brooklyn. .—MTsaacks Samuel, from 42 Washington-street; at Quarantine. 22.—Murphy John; 48 Pearl-street. 24.—Murray Alexander, from 35 Maiden-lane; Chy Jersey. 28.—Murray Andrew; 33 Nassau-street. October 18.—McCartney Jane, 45-i Nassau-street. 31.—Murray Josiah, 26 Front-street. 14.—Mahoney Dennis, 105 William-street. 6.—Morrel Jacob, cartman, had been in the infected district; 7 Ludlow-street. 10.—Morris Michael, hack driver, from 125 Antho- ny-stveet; Marine Hospital. November 4.—M'Cord John, Suffolk-street. N August 18.—Newell Robert ; 383 Greenwich-street. September 1.—Neal Jude, from 9 Wall-street; 79 Mulberry-street. 2.— "iott John, from Lumber-street; 37 Augustus-st. .—North James, 21 Nassau-street. 103 AN ACCOUNT OF 24.—Nelson Joseph, Broad corner of Garden Streets. October 4.—Nestel Christian, from 81 Catharine; 33 Allen-street. O August .— Oldham Hugh, corner of Liberty and Washington Streets. September 3.—Overend William, corner of Liberty and Vvest Streets. 17.—O'Donald Jane, 38 Lumber-street. P August 5.—Philips Mrs. Napthali, from 68 Green- wich-street ; corner of Chamber-street and Broadway. 21.—Perkins Jonathan, who had been in the infected district; Canal near Chapel Streets. September 13.—Parks Richard,from City Hotel; 152 Leonard street. 23.—Pike Elizabeth, 96 Water-street. October 3.—Philmore John, Front near Walnut-st. 4.—Polhemus John, a day watchman ; Green near Broome-street. 5.—Page Mrs. Mary; 12 Ferry-street. 14.—Phelan, Patrick who had returned from the coun- try ; corner of Front and Depeyster Streets. 16.—Pearson Thomas; 105 William-street. 17.—Phelan Andrew, corner of Front and Depeyster- Streets. Q , August 21.—Quackinboss Abraham, had been in the infected district; 46 Leonard-street. R July 17.—Reeder Caroline, aged 9 years: 26 Rector- street. 17.—Reeder John, aged 15 years ; same house. 24.—Rose Miss, corner of Greenwich and Rector- Streets, aged 7 years. August 26.—Roberts Hannah, from 55 Broadway ; corner of Duane and Cross Streets. September 16.—RaganMarian,from 13 Broad-street; at 2 James' slip. 17.—Reeves Sarah, from 10 Old Slip; 19 Henry- street. THE YELLOW FEVER. 109 .—Regan Edward from 52 Lombardy-street. 28.—Robinson John, Water-street. 27.—Rodgers Gilbert II., from 363 Pearl-street; Ma- rine Hospital. 7.—Rollinson John, from 23 Washington-street; cor- ner of Pearl and Collect Streets. October 29.—Reed John, who had returned from tlie r-ountry on the l6th ; corner of Grand and Forsyth Sts. 19.—Reed Samuel, 115 Cherry-street. 20.—Rankin Alexander, 48 Pearl-street. S August 17-—Scorgie John, (Scotland), from 55 Wash- ington-street ; Bank-street, between 12th and 13th Sts. 22.—Scorgie Mrs., wife of John ; same place. September 23.—Scott Richard ; 122 Bancker-street. 12.—Seamen James, who had been at No. 4 Wall- street ; 22 Orchard-street. 24.—Smith Ann, from Liberty-street; Walnut-street. 19.—Smith Ralph, 22* Nassau-St. 16.—Smith Thomas, from 6 John-Street; Grand-st. 26.—Smith John, carted tan in the infected district; 131 Delancey-street. 24.—Smith Mrs., wife of Thomas, from 6 John-street; Westchester. 15.—Snow Fanny, from 4 Lombardy-street; Marine Hospital. 19.—Spear Paul, from 188 Greenwich-street; 357 Broadway, aged 35 years. 1.4.—Stewart Nancy, from the infected district; Ma- rine Hospital. 14.—Stoutenburgh Isaac, from corner of Liberty and Washington-street; Marine Hospital, 25.—Suitor William; 104 Vesey-street, had been in the infected district. October 7.—Smith Mrs. R., from 22$ Nassau; Marine Hospital. 20.—Smith Robert ; 349 Water-street. 17.—Stephens Thomas ; 69 William-street. 16.—Stroebel Dr. John; 44 Nassau.street, T July 16.—Thomas Andrew, from the corner of Wash- 110 AN ACCOUNT OF ington and Rector-Streets ; City Hospital, aged 26, na five of Scotland. August 18.—Taylor Mrs.,from 111 Greenwich-street 171 Greenwich-street. 1.—Taylor Miss, daughter of John, from 111 Green- wich-street ; Tappan. 24.—Thompson James M. corner of Wall & New Sts. 30.—Todd Richard, from 5 Beaver-Lane; Marine Hospital. 21.—Tofts Mrs. Lavinia, from Lumber-street; 102 Water-street, aged 64. 11.—Turner" James, from on board a lighter; 145 Orange-street. September 9.—Taite William ; corner of Liberty and Nassau-Streets. 3.—Thompson Jeffery; Washington-st. near the fence. 3—Tiffanan Mary ; 69 Cross-street. October 15.—Thornburn Ann; 96 Catharine-street. V September 10.—Vandyke George, from Reed-street; Marine Hospital. October 5.—Victor Ettienne ; 32 William-street. W July 22.—Waters Mrs. cor. of Rector & Greenwich Sts. August 29.—Wade Robert, from corner of Greenwich and Liberty-Streets ; 4 Lewis-street. 22.—Waterman William, aged 15, from 32 Lumber- street ; 5 Chapel-street. 15.—White William, from 38 Lumber-street: Marine Hospital. September 10.—Walsh Maria Ann, from 46 Broad- way ; Bloomfield, New-Jersey. 21.—Ward Nathaniel ; 20 Cheapside-street. 8 s—Warren George G. from Broadway ; at Boston. 30.—Warren Mrs. wife of Abraham, from 41 Beaver- street; Woodbridge, New-Jersey. 23.—Warren John ; 67 Water-street. 10.—Washington Emily, from 4 Thames-street; 24 Anthony-street. 7-—Whelan Rebecca ; in a vessel foot of Delancey-st. 8.—White Charlotte, from Washington near Beaver- Street; Marine Hospital. THE YELLOW FEVER. Ill 20.—Wilcox Amelia, daughter of Charles ; 66 Pine- street, from 18 Broadway. 19._WilcoxMrs. wife of Charles, Do. Do. 8.__Wood Lorindo, from Broadway; Saugatuck, Connecticut. 29.—Woodhull Mrs. Harriet, from 35 Maiden-Lane1; 6 White-street. . 18 —Wyble Joseph, from Fletcher-st.; Ilernng-st. ' Octobeber 22.—Walker Sally, from 67 Water-street; 48 Spring-street. 3._Ward Moses ; corner of Water and bcammel-M. 15.—Wareham Jane ; 67 Water-street. 22.—Wendelkar Lorenzo, from sugar house Liberty- street ; 263 Mott-street. 31 .—Wendell Henry G. corner of Lombardy & Pike-st. 2i._Welsh Catharine, had been in Lombardy-street : Marine Hospital. 17— Whitby George; 118 Bancker-street. 17.—Whitby James ; 118 Bancker-street. 7.—White James ; 13 Dutch-street. 10.—White Henry P.; 69 Franklin-street. 16.—Wilson David; 116 Broad-street. Z August 28—Zairgable Anthony, from 78 Cedar-street. Marine Hospital. The result of the whole number of deaths was in the year 1798, during the sickly months, two thousand and eighty-six. In the present season, from the 13th July to 2d November, the number has been only one thousand two hundred and thirt-ysix, and our city most probably, contains twice as many inhabitants, as it did in the year above mentioned. I have been obligingly furnished with the following from the City Inspector, the correctness of which cannot be called in question. From 13th to 20th July.......79 20th to 27th do........92 27th July to 3d August.....70 3d to 10th August....... 80 10th to 17th do.........102 17th tet 94th do. -------- 81 112 AN ACCOUNT OF From 24th to 31st do.........69 31st August to 7th Sept......7* 7th to 14th September ------ 11 14th to 21st do.........?j 21st to 28th do.........84 28th Sept. to 5th October.....83 5th to 12th October......70 12th to 19th do.........75 19th to 26th do........- 56 26th October to 2d November - - - 71 Total.......- - 1230 In a former paragraph, I had said, that it was difficult to account for the origin of Yellow Fever in Lombardy and Cheapside Streets, unless we supposed, that it pro- ceeded from some local cause. But on the day after the sheet, in which said paragraph was inserted, 1 fell in with my friend Capt. George Mills, an assistant of the Board of Health, a very intelligent man, who gave me the fol- lowing information, viz. That the ship Superior,'Captain Jocelyn from New-Orleans had arrived at the Quaran- tine Ground, and after a detention of six days, two days more than usual, had gone to Brooklyn and landed cot- ton ; that one Carey, who had been sick at New-Or- leans, came in the said vessel and went to the house of his mother in Lombardy-street about the 14th Septem- ber, where Mr. Mott, Mrs Snow and Mrs. Carey sickened on the 16th and all died of Yellow Fever. On the 21st September, the first case of Yellow Fever occurred in Cheapside-street, viz. at No. 22. This was that of Nathaniel Ward, whom Captain Mills supposes to have been infected with the disease, by dirty clothes, which he had brought with him from the ship. The following deserves a place. It is the production of a respectable physician, which appeared in the Eve* ing Post and conveys some ideas respecting the doctrine of contagion, which are well worthy of consideration. To the Editor of the New-York Evening Post. Learning, ihat some uneasiness and misappi- hension exist in the public mind relative to the case of Mrs. Smith, THE YELLOW FEVER. US who is represented to be, at present, extremely ill of Yellow Fever, in Westchester County, I beg leave t*> communicate to you the following statement. The late Mr. Thomas Smith sickened of Yellow Fe- ver, at his residence No. 6 John-street, on Wednesday the 1 lth of September. I was requested to see him pro- fessionally, on the evening of Friday and I reported him to the Board, at their next meeting on Saturday. At the time he was first seized, his wife was in the country. She returned on the afternoon of the 14th and continued with him, at the house, in which he sickened, until he removed on the following day at noon to the corner of Grand and Sullivan Streets. Here she also attended on her late husband until his death. On the morning of the 17th Mrs. Smith was within what is termed the infected district, about twenty hours. The doctrine of the occasional contagiousness of the Yellow Fever rests upon multiplied experience and un- doubted evidence; but derives no support from the case of Mrs. Smith. 1 make this communication, fearful, that the public, might be needlessly alarmed, and an opinion obtain, that the present infection has diffused itself more extensively than is the fact. JOHN W. FRANCIS. On the 11th November, the last meeting of the Board was held, when the following interesting address was adopted and ordered to be published. Board of Health. November 11, 1822. The Board of Health have deemed it proper, on the termination of the malady with which we have been af- flicted, and in accordance with the precedent established by their predecessors, to address their fellow citizens, and to bring before them a brief statement of the events con- nected with the disease, and the means they have resort- ed to for the purpose of preventing the extension of its fetal effects, as well as to mitigate the sufferings of those who were exposed to its ravages. During the winter and spring of the present year, ener- getic measures were adopted for the purpose of removing iU AN ACCOUNT OF every species of filth from parts of the city where ac- knowledge could be obtained of its existence, and when the authority vested in the Board, authorised compulsive measures. The assistants to the Board of Health were accordingly instructed to employ every moment of their time in examining the lots and premises wherever nuisan- ces were likely to exist, and to report all privies, sunken lots and cellars containing stagnant water, and every oth- er nuisance of whatever description, to the City Inspec- tor, in order that ordinances might be passed for their correction. These instructions it is believed, were faith- fully complied with, and the ordinances passed by the Common Council, on the report of the assistants, amount- ing to eight hundred andfifty six, were strictly enforced. Early in June, the Mayor, together with a committee of the Board of Health, visited Bancker and other streets, with a view of having corrected, before the commence- ment of hot weather, such nuisances as might have been overlooked by the Assistants. A report was accordingly made to the Board of Health, and the necessary measures adopted for purifying, as far as practicable, those recep- tacles of filth and wretchedness. About this period, the Board received information that the Yellow Fever existed in several ports in the West Indies and other places with which this city had frequent intercourse, particularly the Havana, Saint Jago de Cu- ba, and Matanzas; and they were subsequently informed that Port-au-Prince, New-Orleans, and Pensacola, were sickly ports. The vigilance, industry, and perseverance of the Health Officer, Dr. Bayley, in the discharge of his duty, left no doubt on the minds of the Board, that every measure, which prudence and a sound discretion could dictate, would be put in operation to prevent the conta- gion from reaching our city through the means of infected vessels ; and the Board were determined, so far as they were legally authorised, that no efforts should be wanting "on their part to carry into effect the means provided by law, both internal and external, for guarding against the introduction and spread of infectious and pestilential di- sease among our citizens. On the 7th day of July the U. S. brig Enterprize ar- rived at Quarantine from a cruize, via Charleston, where THE YELLOW FEVER. il> she had sjopped for about one week. This vessel had been at the Havana in March last, and had not touched at any port except Charleston until her arrival here. Lieutenant Cox had died of Yellow Fever during her passage from Charleston, and ten of her crew were sick on her arrival. The number of her sick continuing dai- ly to increase after her arrival, it was deemed proper to land her crew, in order that they might be removed from the infected air of the ship, and a better opportunity af- forded to cleanse and ventilate her. The landing was effected on the 11th of July, and all the usual means were immediately put in operation to expel the foul air from the hold of the vessel; but it was found that the men on shore conducted with so much disorder, that it became in- dispensable again to return them on board. The ship having undergone considerable purification, it was hoped that the infection was so far destroyed as to insure the fu- ture health of the crew, but on the 23d of July there were three, and on the 26th two cases of Yellow Fever which occurred on board of her, a strong proof of the difficulty which exists in disinfecting a sickly vessel. The Health Officer remarks " that seven of the crew of the U. States ship Enterprize have sickened with Yellow Fever since Tuesday last, about a week after they returned on board of the vessel, which was well white-washed, and unslack- ed lime put in her limbers after they were cleaned out, and the ballast washed and white-washed, and during the whole process, several wind sails were constantly kept in her hatchways." The men were again brought on shore, and a guard to keep them in order, and prevent their escape to the city was obtained from the Navy Yard. The number of sick was about 30, of whom 14 died ; the last death was on the 2d day of August. On the 17th of July, indications of the disorder which we so much dreaded, made its appearance at the foot of Rector-street, near the North River. On that, and seve- ral succeeding days, information was received of persons being sick in that vicinity. They were uniformly visit- ed by the Resident Physician, who reported them as sick of bilious fever. In this stage of the disease the Board directed a strict examination of the streets and yards in thatoeiphbourhood. in order that thev might ascertain jhO AN ACCOUNT OF whether any local cause existed for the sickness then pre- valent, but nothing was discovered except a ciss-pool, in a state of nuisance, which received the wash water from two or three lots of ground, too low to carry it to the street. They were immediately filled up and the nuis« ance was abated, but not the disorder. The first cases reported to the Board of Heath as Yel- low Fever, were by Dr. Nielson on the 31st day of July, on which day the President laid before the Board a de« tailed account of all the cases of sickness which had occurred in Rector-street and its vicinity from the lQth day of July to the 31st, inclusive, together with the opin- ion of the Resident Physician, as to the nature of the dis- ease. On the 5th of August the Resident Physician re- ported a person as a case of Yellow Fever, who had sick- ened on the first and died on the fifth, the same day on which she was reported. This being considered by the Board as the first official information that the Yellow Fe- ver existed in the city, they immediately issued an ad- dress to their fellow citizens, recommending their remo- val, and at the same time requested that they would make a free use of lime, by strewing it in their yards, privies, and gutters; and on the 7th, public notice was given, that all the avenues leading to the infected district, would be forthwith fenced up. On the 10th day of August, the Board advised the Mayor to remove all persons found within the fences, and a committee was appointed, with authority to provide for the poor who might be ordered out, and to permit them to occupy the buildings at the Narrows, or at Kip's Bay, during the prevalence of the disease- It was reasonably supposed, that these measures would have the desired effect of stopping the progress of the dis» order, and that its ravages would have ceased for the want of subjects ; but the imprudence of some, the incre- dulity of others, and the interest of many, prompted them to visit the proscribed district, and, consequently, the dis- order was taken by several, and thus kept alive until its bounds could scarcely be traced, and a general removal of the inhabitants from the lower parts of the city was effected. At this period the night watch, in that part of the city deserted by the inhabitants, was increased; a day watch THE YELLOW FEVER. 117 was appointed for the district enclosed by the fences, and two vessels, with four barges, was engaged and stationed in the East and North Rivers, with a sufficient number of men to guard the city between Fulton-street and the Battery on the North, anj^Fulton-street and the White- Hall Slip on the East. On the 1 lth of September the Board appointed a com- mittee, with authority to adopt such means as might, by possibility, arrest the further extension of the prevailing epidemic. The means adopted by the committee were such as are usually applied for the correction of nuisan- ces, and recommended by medical men fcrr that purpose ; whether the effects were as salutary as those that might have been experienced from the use of other measures, strongly recommended by gentlemen of high attainments in chemical knowledge, the Board are unable to decide, but they have no hesitation in declaring it as their opin- ion, that the motives of their committee in adopting the means they had selected, was of the most pure and disin- terested kind, and that the good effects of their labour was demonstrated in numerons instances. The Committee to whom was referred the general su- perintendance of tiie concerns of the Board during their recess, w?s cons'antly in session at the old Alms House ; by them the destitute were relieved, the poor were remov- ed from the seats of infection, the sick were conveyed from th» contagious atmosphere of their abodes, advice and instruction were given to the persons employed by the Board, and every duty required of the Committee was performed with fidelity to the publicinierest, and the perfect satisfaction of the Board of Health. On the 16th ofi September, a new infection was disco- vered in a part Of the city hitherto deemed healthy ; on that day the Resident Physician reported to the Board a case of Yellow Fever, at No. 4 Lombardy, near Catha- rine-street ; and on the 20th there were three cases re- ported in Cheapside-street, nearly in the rear of that which had occurred in Lombardy-street. The same measures adopted at the commencement of the disease in Rector-street, were resorted to in this instance, and the immediate removal of the inhabitants from the seat of in- fection was determined on. An order was accordingly 118 AN ACCOUNT OF issued for removal, preparatory to such other measures as might be deemed necessary to prevent the further spread of the disorder in that part of the city. These repeated removals was the cause of considerable expense to the public; for although none was permitted to proceed to the places of refuge, provided by the Board, except such as were poor and unable to provide for them- selves, it was nevertheless found that the number of ap- plicants was much greater than could be accommodated, and they were consequently compelled to advance to seve- ral families small sums in cash, as their necessity requi- red it; and others were permitted to abide at the Alms House until they should be enabled to return to their pla- ces of residence and resume their usual occupations. The number of persons accommodated at the buildings at Fort Richmond amounted to 239, consisting of 44 families, counting from two to ten persons each, and 23 single persons. There were 26 men, 69 women, and 141 children. A portion of these children are left orphans by the ldss of their parents who died with the fever, and have accordingly been ta;,.en to the Alms House, until a suitable provision can be made for them bj' their friends. In addition to these there was twenty-eight persons ac- commodated at a house rented by the Board at Kip's Bay, who, together with those sent to otaten Island, were re- gularly supplied with provisions necessary for their sub- sistence, at the public expense; and in some instances, even their clothing and bedding was provided for them. There were also several sick families in the city who were destitute and to whom the necessary relief was afforded both in food and raiment, together with the aid of medi- cal advice and attendance during their sickness; and to those who were removed to the Marine Hospital, con- sisting of 70 individuals, every exertion was used by the attending physician and nurses, to promote their comfort and to insure their recovery. The reports of cases made to the Board of Health were considerably less in number, than what actually took place. This may be accounted for by the fact, that seve- ral persons who contracted the disease in the city, did not sicken until after their removal to the country; and there were some who both sickened and died without THE YELLOW FEVER. 110 medical attendance. The number of deaths reported was still more deficient than the cases, and cannot be account- ed for, only on the supposition, that the request of the Board, that they should be reported, was unknown to the physicians. It appears therefore by the daily reports as published by the Board, that in July there were 16 cases, in Au- gust 79 cases, in September 182 cases, and in October 87 cases, making a total of 364, and the whole number of deaths reported to the Board, was only 119- The cases and deaths however, that actually occurred, were as follows: in July, 16 cases and 5 deaths; in Au- gust, 90 cases and 58 deaths; in September, 205 cases and 110 deaths, and in October, up to the 26th of that month, 90 cases and 57 deaths, making a total of 401 cases, and 230 deaths; to which may be added 10 deaths that occurred between the 26th and 31st of October, and were not reported to the Board as cases, making the whole number of cases 411, and of deaths 240. The mortality this year, has been much less, jn proportion to the sick, than it was in 1819, when the cases were 63 and the deaths 43, a difference in favour of this year, of more than ten per cent. The great dissimilarity in the number of cases which occurred in the two years may be accounted for by the fact, that the disorder made its ap- pearance this year nearly two months earlier than it did In 1819- The Board are bound to acknowledge the countenance and assistance they have received in the discharge of their duty. They are under great obligations to the Go- vernor, for the prompt manner in which he granted them the free and sole use of the buildings belonging to the state at Fort Richmond, Staten-lsland.—They are in- debted to the Commissioners of the Aims-House, for the assistance they have afforded them, and particularly to Mr. John Hunter, the assistant to the Commissioners, for the prompt and unceasing attention he has given to the calls of the necessitous, the collecting the necessary su p- pl v for the persons quartered at Fort Richmond, the i n- terment of the deceased poor, and the various acts grow- ing out of the peculiar situation in which we were placed. They are also much indebted to Doctor Chas. Drake 120 AN ACCOUNT OF the visiting fhysician of the Alms House, for his volun- tary services, and humane attention to the sick poor sent to the building at Kip's Bay, several of whom had con- tracted the disorder before their removal, and owe the preservation of their lives to his skill and unremitted care. The Common Council have uniformly afforded us the most efficient co-operation, both in supplying the neces- sary sums required to defray the incidental expenses of the Boa/d, and in delegating such powers as enabled them to carry into effect the measures deemed necessary and indispensible.—The Resident Physician constantly met with the Board, and executed the important duties of his office with diligence and firmness. The Assistants of the Board, who were of necessity exposed daily to the infection of the most sickly parts of the city, have meri- ted both the thanks of the Board, and the approbation of their fellow citizens, for the zeal and perseverance in which they performed the duties incumbent on them. The Board acknowledge with gratitude the support they have received from their fellow citizens generally. The confidence they have placed in the Board, and the cheer- fulness with which they have complied with their recom- mendations, has tended to lesson the calamity, and to give effect to the means which were employed for its extermi- nation. But above all, the Board in an especial manner are bound to acknowledge the merciful interposition of that Almighty Being whose mercy is over all his works, for the signal demonstration they have received of His fa- vour, in preserving them from the pestilence that was spread over our land, and in returning to their homes so large a portion of their fellow citizens who had fled for safety ; and finally, for averting the evil we have expe- rienced, and restoring to our city its usual degree of health. By order of the Board, STEPHEN ALLEN, President J. Morton, Secretary. THE END.