(To be continued.)
Origin and Progress of Cholera at Albany.
The following report made by the medical staff of Albany to the Board of Health, furnishes some interesting information relative to the origin of the epidemic, and the character of the diseases which preceded its appearance in that city.
“In presenting to the Board of Health the following tables, showing the bills of mortality of this city from the 22d ult., when the board directed the deaths to be recorded, up to this day, we deem it our duty to make some remarks relative to the health of the city during the above period, and likewise in relation to our future prospects, and the measures we consider useful to accelerate the departure of the pestilence from among us.
“We stated in our last report to the board, that immediately prior to the breaking out of the epidemic, our city was unusually healthy. Until about the 20th of June, few diseases prevailed, and the mortality was less than common. From the 22d of June to the 3d of July, only eleven deaths occurred—of those, six were children. In a population of twenty-six thousand, an average of less than one death a day for near two weeks, indicates a degree of health almost without a parallel. From the 30th of June to the 3d of July, not one single death was reported. It was, however, but the calm which precedes the storm. All other diseases gave way to the silent but the irresistible march of the epidemic.
“Although but few deaths took place from the 20th of June to the 3d of July, there was considerable sickness; and experienced physicians foresaw the coming danger, in the usual prevalence of diarrhœa, and common cholera morbus—hence it was that your board was urged to make all ready—to be prepared with hospitals, physicians, nurses, &c. and to this timely warning, and the preparations made in consequence, we may, under Providence, attribute the limited ravages of this fell pestilence.
“On the 3d day of July, the epidemic assumed its malignant and characteristic form. From that time until now, it has maintained its residence among us. For the first week it gradually extended, and during the second it has been rather stationary, the number attacked varying a little from day to day and but little.
“It is now a fortnight since the first deaths took place. The number of cases reported within that period is two hundred and forty-five, and the deaths seventy-two—or a little over one-quarter of the whole. It must however be recollected, that during the same time hundreds had been attacked with Cholerine, or the slightest influences of the epidemic. None of these have been reported, because by timely aid, the disease, in its more formidable shape, was prevented. We can, we believe, say with truth, that few have entirely escaped the influence of the disease.
“From a consideration of all the circumstances connected with the visitation of Providence, we think our citizens have great cause for thankfulness, that we thus far suffered so little. Compared to our neighbours of Canada, we have suffered less than we had cause to anticipate. The disease has been among us for a fortnight; has passed all over the city, and in one form or other has affected more or less persons of all classes, and yet the deaths have not much exceeded five in a day, whilst at Quebec and Montreal, in a population not much exceeding ours, the deaths some days exceeded one hundred, when the disease had not been so long among them as it has been with us. From the history of the disease in other countries, and the circumstances connected with its progress in this city, we would fain indulge the hope, that it has already spent its venom, and that we shall ere long be free from it entirely. For the last two days, notwithstanding the number of cases reported and the high state of mortality, we are inclined to believe that we see, in the character of the prevailing disease, indications of returning health.