Although fever or other epidemics did not arise to an alarming extent in
1846, still, that year showed a decided increase of them over previous
years. The following summary, derived from circulars issued, shows the
origin and progress of fever in 1846. "Fever began in Mitchelstown,
County Cork. It attacked equally those in good and bad health; but in
some instances, as in Innishannon and in Cove, many, in the best health;
while in Mitchelstown, the majority had previously suffered from
privation. Young persons appear to have been the subject of the
epidemic, more than those of more advanced life. The pressure from
without upon the city [of Cork] began to be felt in October; and in
November and December, the influx of paupers from all parts of this vast
county was so overwhelming, that, to prevent them from dying in the
streets, the doors of the Workhouse were thrown open, and in one week,
500 persons were admitted without any provision, either of space or
clothing, to meet so fearful an emergency. All these were suffering from
famine, and most of them from malignant dysentery or fever. The fever
was, in the first instance, undoubtedly confined to persons badly fed,
or crowded into unwholesome habitations; and, as it originated with the
vast migratory hordes of labourers and their families congregated upon
the public roads, it commonly was termed 'the road fever.
Pages:
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776