REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE EPIDEMICS OF OHIO. THE Committee on the Epidemic Diseases of Ohio, appointed in 1855, would respectfully report: That it has made a considerable amount of effort to procure information in respect to the character of the diseases which have prevailed during the last three years within the limits of the State, but has not been able to procure any communications bearing upon this subject from members of the profession. A registration law was passed by the Legislature of Ohio, in 1856, for the purpose of obtaining statistics on the subject of births, deaths, and marriages, but from culpable inattention on the part of those whose duty it was to furnish blanks and collect such information, very little has been accomplished, and nothing worth reporting has come to the knowledge of the Committee. The Committee will, therefore, not be able to add much to those reports which have already been made by the Chairman, and communicated to the Association in 1852 and 1854. From personal intercourse, however, with a large number of physicians of the State, and from communications in the medical journals, there is no doubt but that the past three years has been a period of unusual health, with the exception of a very general prevalence of intermittent fever, and diseases of a kindred character, during the months of July, August, September, and October, 1855. The epidemic choleraic disposition which showed itself in the latter part of the year 1848, and continued with varying degrees of intensity until 1854, has subsided, so that, during the period embraced in this report, we believe that no unusual disposition to affections of the bowels has been noticed. The ordinary diseases incident to the country have again showed themselves unconnected. with this peculiar epidemic influence; and, in the absence of statistics, we feel warranted in believing in a diminished degree, with the exception of intermittent and remittent diseases of 1855. This law, which seems to follow the appearance of all epidemics, would show that, taking a series of years together, the mortality caused by the appearance of most severe epidemics is compensated for in being followed by a corresponding diminution of sickness and mortality. It has been already stated, that during several months of the year 1855, intermittent fever prevailed to a great extent. This was the case in nearly every portion of the State; scarcely a single locality was exempt; high and low grounds were alike visited. with this disease. In places where it had usually prevailed very few escaped; while in districts where it had been an entire stranger, numerous cases occurred. In short, the influences producing this class of affections seemed to be uniformly present in every locality. The Committee is not aware that the disease presented any unusual characteristics or complications; while, at the same time, the tendency to diseases of an intermittent character undoubtedly predominated; the influence of which was sensibly felt in the modification of other diseases. The cause appeared to be connected with an unusual amount of rapidly decaying vegetation. A greater amount of rain than usual fell in the spring months, while the frequent showers of summer, alternated with sunshine and warmth, were promotive of a profuse growth of vegetation. In referring to a meteorological register, kept by John Lea, Esq., of Cincinnati, we find a note made in reference to the months of June, July, and August, characterizing them as "mild, moist, and fruitiferous." During no season for many years have we had such a luxuriant growth of vegetation as during the summer of 1855. Its growth was rapid, and it matured very imperfectly, so that its early decay was a very marked characteristic. Market vegetables decayed very rapidly, so that cabbage and other articles, including fruits of various kinds, which are ordinarily kept without difficulty until the following winter and spring, became very scarce long before the usual time of their disappearance. The fluids in them largely predominated; they afforded less nourishment to animals than in ordinary seasons; and they were more insipid to the taste. So noticeable was this, that farmers found the products of the dairy less than in seasons of greater scarcity; the solid elements in the milk of cows being sensibly diminished in consequence of the increased succulency of the grasses upon which they fed. Could this diminution in the solid elements of vegetable food have exercised any influence on the nutrition of the human system in predisposing to this class of diseases? The character of the season, in reference to moisture, warmth, and a profusion of immature vegetable growth, undoubtedly contributed to, if they were not the cause of, the peculiarities of the diseases of this year. From the high price of the sulphate of quinia, and the difficulty of procuring it in some places in sufficient quantities when needed, the sulphate of cinchonia was extensively introduced into practice, and, in most instances, acquired a reputation in the treatment of intermittent fever scarcely inferior to that of the great antiperiodic itself. It sometimes appeared to answer even better than quinia, while, on the other hand, it would occasionally fail, and quinia complete the cure. The nitric acid treatment, alluded to in the report of 1854, was tried in many instances, but, in most cases, it did not meet the expectations of its friends, and was generally abandoned for the more certain antiperiodics. The Committee is not aware that any other peculiarities in reference to the mode of treatment were developed. On one point, however, it may be remarked, that the preparations of bark scarcely ever failed to sustain the reputation so long held by this invaluable. remedy in the treatment of intermittent fever, and as an antiperiodic in all diseases of an intermittent character. In conclusion, I must claim the indulgence of the Association for this apology for a report. It must be taken as a supplement to those heretofore presented by the Chairman, rather than as one making any pretensions to completeness in itself. In connection with this subject, it may not be amiss to suggest, whether something cannot be effected in the way of producing a uniformity in registration reports from all the States, by procuring some action of the Congress of the United States, previous, and in reference to taking the next census; and, for that purpose, would respectfully offer and recommend the passage of the following resolution. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, the Chairman VOL. XI.-13 of which shall reside in the District of Columbia, to memorialize Congress, and urge the passage of a law by which a uniform system of registration may be adopted by all the States for the purpose of obtaining correct reports on vital statistics by those whose duty it may be to take the census in 1860. GEO. MENDENHALL. |