The Morning Star And Catholic Messenger

[Communicated.]

Yellow Fever—The Fire Remedy.

That so little is known about the nature and origin of yellow fever is, or ought to be, a matter of reproach to the medical faculty. We have in New Orleans physicians eminent for their attainments, achievements and ability, and with names that shine as brightly as any that illumine the annals of the profession. In holding to this opinion I will listen to no contrary declaration. But is there made an exertion of genius and skill commensurate with the duty devolved by the exigency of the occasion? Is not the talent that ought to be multiplied buried with respect to the discovery of something determinate as a preventive or cure of yellow fever.

Dr. Choppin declares that there is no known remedy. But there must be a knowable remedy. And there is an ability, if it can be only induced to turn its attention and give the time necessary for the thorough investigation of the subject.

It would pay the people (if the city declines to act) to take up the matter, and defray all the expenses, and confer dignities in money and name upon a board of medical experts, whose labors in the line of research should not cease until the pestilence is traced to its source, and a means for its destruction indicated.

Imagine a New England city periodically decimated by the prevalence of such a scourge—a whole people poisoned from time to time by its recurrence! Think you, sir, that Yankee ingenuity would sleep until the antidote was found and the destroyer throttled?

Doctor Tardy admits that a hundred years have passed over the heads of the profession without leaving the faculty any more proficient with respect to the treatment nor more wise in regard to the nature of the fever. The orator's success arises from action, action, action; the attorney's from study, study, study. Cannot the medical student take up, act upon the parallel.

Fire is suggested as a remedy for the banishment of the disease. Suppose it be tried. Let the post be put through the crucible. Fire dispels impurities.

Let there be, at a stated time, and for a definite period, fires kindled and kept up in every room of every house, and before every door and at every street corner, until the experiment is fairly and fully tested.

Try anything, try everything, until the hidden specific is brought to light.

Esperance.