The Journal and Poughkeepsie Eagle July 21, 1849 THE PUBLIC HEALTH [Continued] . . . . . . At first sight this report might seem alarming but upon a little examination it will bear an encouraging appearance. For instance, Wednesday, two persons ar attacked and died at the county house, on the day following we have a report from that institution, which contains between two and three hundred individuals, that no symptons of cholera are visible there, showing that the disease can be and is controlled. Again, take the cases in the village, where speedy medical attendance can be procured, we find that five have been cured out of eight, reported above, from which we get the encouraging inference that our medical men are successful in their mode of treating the disease. Four of the deaths reported above occurred in a family of colored persons, who, after being taken had no proper care, from the fact that the authorities could not for a time induce any person to care for them. Aside from these four we have two deaths in the village by the epidemic, and one of them, that of Gilman - was probably from some other disease, for he was attached by cholera on the 5th and died on the 13th. Upon careful examination of the report of the Board therefore, we repeat that it is highly encouraging rather than alarming. P. S. On Friday morning, having heard that the disease had RE-APPEARED at the County House, we went out to get the CORRECT particulars, and found that during Thursday eight persons were attached, for of whom died, and one died on Friday morning. When we wrote the paragraph above this on Thursday morning we had the most flattering assurance of the health of the inmates of this institution, and hoped that the unusual efforts of its managers to purfiy and cleanse it would check the fearful miasma, but twelve hours had not passed before it had made cold the bodies of four of the inmates and destroyed almost all hope of checking its destroying influence there. There are sixty children in the house, and we are gratified to learn that steps have been taken for their immediate removal to more safe quarters. Too much care cannot be taken of these little ones. The names of the victims are Joseph Herrick, Peter Cazar, Pompey Ompadon (colored), Mr. Snooks, and Widow Brower. ANOTHER DEATH - A woman residing in Union st. was taken with the epidemic on Thursday night - her husband being intoxicated, no medical attention was called, and she died before morning. - - - - - - - Just passing this along. - - - - - - - Listers Note: At the time this report was written the County House (a/k/a Poorhouse/Almshouse was located in the City of Poughkeepsie). It was not until 1864 when the County Split its Poor off from the City and built the County Poor House in the Town of Washington, near Millbrook. The word miasma was a new one for me - learn something new every day - Defintion - a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease; also : a heavy vaporous emanation or atmosphere. - - - - - - - - Ginny http://www.geocities.com/ginnyflies/ Ginny's History, Genealogy, Historical Preservation, & Poughkeepsie Hometown Page Dutchess & Putnam Counties, NY