The history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, containing an account of settlement, growth, development and resources biographical sketches the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 36

Author: Western historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 840

USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > The history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, containing an account of settlement, growth, development and resources biographical sketches the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 36

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The geography of disease and climate is of special interest to the public, and a knowledge especially necessary to the state authorities, as it is only by such a knowledge that state legis- lation can possibly restrain or root out the endemic diseases of the state. In connection with the gathering of vital statistics must go the collection of meteorological and topographical statistics, as without these two latter the former is comparatively useless for sanitary purposes. More particularly does this apply to the malarial diseases of the state.

Acclimation is very rarely discussed or even alluded to by our people in relation to Wisconsin, for the reason that, come from whatever part of Europe men may, or from the eastern states, acclimation is acquired for the most part unconsciously, rarely attended by any malarial affection, unless by exposure in such low, moist localities, where .even the natives of the state could not

237

HEALTH OF WISCONSIN.

live with impunity. It seems to be well enough established that where malaria exists, whether in London, New York, or Wisconsin ; where the causes of malarial disease are permanent, the effects are permanent, and that there is no positive acclimation to malaria. Hence it should follow that since life and malaria are irreconcilable, we should root out the enemy, as we readily can by drainage and cultivation, or, where drainage is impossible, by the planting of those shrubs or trees which are found to thrive best, and thereby prove the best evaporators in such localities. Our climate, approximating as it does the 45th degree (being equi-distant from the equator and pole), would a priori be a common ground of compromise and safety, and from this geographical position is not liable to objections existing either north or south of us.

INFLUENCE OF NATIONALITIES.

Our population is of such a confessedly heterogeneous character that naturally enough it suggests the question : Has this intermingling of different nationalities sensibly affected our health conditions ? Certainly not, so far as intermarriages between the nations of the Caucasian race are concerned. This opinion is given first upon the fact that our classes of diseases have neither changed nor increased in their intensity by reason of such admixture, so far as can be learned by the statistics or the history of disease in the northwest. Imported cases of disease are of course excepted. Second, because all that we can gather from statistics and history concern- ing such intermingling of blood goes to prove that it is beneficial in every respect, physically, mentally and morally.

England, of all nations, is said to be the best illustration of the good attending an intermingling of the blood of different nations, for the reason that the English character is supposed to be, comparatively speaking, good, and that of all countries she has been perhaps more frequently invaded, and to a greater or less part settled by foreign peoples than any other.

From a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in the center of Wisconsin, and from an adequate knowledge of its people, whose nationalities are so various and whose intermarriages are so common, it is at least presumable that we should have heard of or noted any peculiar or injurious results, had any such occurred. None such, however, have been observed. Some fears have been expressed concerning the influence of Celtic blood upon the American temperament, already too nervous, as is alleged. It is scarcely necessary to say that these fears are unsupported by figures or facts. Reasoning from analogy, it would seem safe to affirm that the general inter- mingling by intermarriage now going on in our population, confined to the Caucasian nationali- ties, will tend to preserve the good old Anglo-Saxon character, rather than to create any new char- acter for our people. If this view needed support or confirmation, it is to be found in some very interesting truths in relation to it. Mr. Edwin Seguin, in his work on Idiocy, lays special stress on the influences of races in regard to idiocy and other infirmities, like deafness. He says that the crossing of races, which contributed to the elimination of some vices of the blood (as may be the case in the United States, where there are proportionally less deaf and dumb than in Europe), produces a favorable effect on the health of the population, and cites as an example, Belgium, which has fewer deaf and dumb than any country in Europe, owing to the influence of the crossing of races in past ages from the crowds of northern tribes passing, mingling and partly settling there on the way to England.

We are aware that it has been predicted that our future will give us a new type, distinct from all other peoples, and that with this type must come not only new diseases but modifications or aggravations of the present diseases, in particular, consumption and insanity. But so long as we are in a formative state as a nation, and that this state seems likely to continue so long as the country has lands to be occupied and there are people in Europe to occupy them, such spec- ulations can be but of little value.

238

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

OCCUPATIONS, FOOD, EDUCATION, ETC., AS AFFECTING PUBLIC HEALTH.

The two chief factors of the social and sanitary well-being of a people are a proper educa- tion of the man and a proper cultivation of the soil. Our two principal occupations in Wisconsin are education and agriculture, the learners in the schools being in excess of the laborers on the soil. A happier combination could scarcely be desired, to form an intelligent and a healthy people. How this will affect our habits in the future it is easy to conceive, but for the present it may be said (of so many different nationalities are we composed), that we have no habits which serve to distinguish us from the people of other northwestern states. A well-fed and a well-taught people, no matter how mixed its origin, must sooner or later become homogeneous and a maker of customs. In the mean time we can only speak of our habits as those of a people in general having an abundance of food, though it is to be wished the workers ate more beef and mutton, and less salt-pork, and that whisky was less plentiful in the land. The clothing is sufficient, fuel is cheap, and the dwellings comfortable. Upon the whole, the habits of the people are conducive to health. It is thought unnecessary to refer to the influence upon health in general of other occupations, for the reason that manufacturers, traders and transporters are for the most part localized, and perhaps not sufficiently numerous to exercise any marked influence on the state health.

HISTORY OF DISEASE.

In searching for historical data of disease in Wisconsin, we are able to go back to the year 1766, commencing with the aborigines. The Indians, says Carver, in his chapter on their diseases, in general are healthy and subject to few diseases. Consumption from fatigue and exposure he notices, but adds that the disorder to which they are most subject is pleurisy. They are like- wise afflicted with dropsy and paralytic complaints. It is to be presumed that while Carver is speaking generally, he means his remarks to apply, perhaps, more particularly to those Indians with whom he lived so long, the Sioux of this state. That they were subject to fevers is gathered from the use of their remedies for fever, the " fever bush " being an ancient Indian remedy, and equally valued by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. Besides this, they had their remedies for complaints of the bowels, and for all inflammatory complaints. These notices sufficiently indicate the class of diseases which have certainly followed in the wake of the Indi- ans, and are still occurring to his white brother, making it plain enough that lung diseases, bowel complaints, and fevers are in fact native to the state. The fact must not be ignored that the Indian is subject to the same diseases as the human race in general.

After Carver, we may quote Major Long's expedition in 1824. The principal disease of the Sacs appears to be a mortification of the intestinal canal, more common among men than women, the disease proving fatal in four days if not relieved. It is unaccompanied with pain, and is neither hernia, dysentery, nor hemorrhoids. Intermittents were prevalent, and the small-pox visited them at different periods. As the Chippewas have a common Algonquin origin with the Sacs, and as their home and customs were the same, it may be expected that their diseases were simi- lar. The principal disease to which the Chippewas are liable is consumption of the lungs, generally affecting them between the ages of 30 and 40; they linger along for a year or two, but always fall victims to it. Many of them die of a bowel complaint which prevails every year. This disease does not partake, however, of the nature of dysentery. They are frequently affected with sore eyes. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age.

Referring to the report of the commissioner of Indian affairs for 1854, we find that the decrease in the number of the Menomonees is accounted for by the ravages of small-pox, in 1838,

239

HEALTH OF WISCONSIN.

of the cholera, in 1847 (which latter was superinduced by misery and starvation), and by the fever, which from time to time, commonly in the winter, has been raging among them, being clearly the consequence of want of provisions and other necessaries. The report for 1850 says, there has been considerable sickness among the Winnebagoes for several months past ; dysentery has been the prevalent disease, confined mostly to children. For 1857 : the Winnebagoes have suffered considerably from chronic diseases, scrofula and consumption. For 1859: the chief malady among the Winnebagoes is phthisis pulmonalis and its analogous diseases, having its source in hereditary origin. Some of the malignant diseases are occasionally met with among them, and intermittent and remittent fevers. In 1863: of the Menomonees, there is a large mortality list of the tribes under my charge. Measles and some of the more common eruptive diseases are the causes. But the most common and most fatal disease which affects the Indians at this agency is pneumonia, generally of an acute character. There is but little tubercular disease to be found in any of these tribes, Menomonees, Stockbridges, Oneidas, etc. In the report for 1865, one can not but notice with some regret the absence of all allusion, except to small-pox, to the diseases of the Indians. Regret, because reliable information of such diseases serves a variety of valuable purposes, for comparison, confirmation, etc., of those of the white population. For these reasons, if for none other, it is to be hoped that the attention of the proper authorities will be called to this feature of such reports.

The first reliable report on the diseases of the people (as distinguished from the Indians) of Wisconsin to which we have had access, is Lawson's Army Report of Registered Diseases, for Io years, commencing 1829, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the Union as a state).

FORT HOWARD, GREEN BAY.

Intermittent fever

This abstract exhibits the second quar-

Remittent

ters only, the mean strength being

Synochal

1,702.

Typhus do

Diseases of respiratory organs.

IOI

All other diseases 114, excepting vene-

Diseases of digestive organs

184

real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul-

Diseases of brain and nervous system

cers, injuries, and ebriety cases.

Dropsies

Rheumatic affections.

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs, are comprised 384 catarrh, 6 pneu- monia, 60 pleuritis, and 28 phthisis pulmonalis; under the class of digestive organs, 376 diar- rhœa and dysentery, 184 colic and cholera, and 10 hepatitis ; under the class of diseases of the brain and nervous system, 15 epilepsy, etc. The deaths from all causes, according to the post returns, are 25, being 11/2 per cent. per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6, and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength.

TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT HOWARD.

SEASONS.

MEAN STRENGTH.

NUMBER TREATED.

RATE PER 1,000 OF MEAN STRENGTH TREATED QUARTERLY.

Io first quarters

1,764

715

405

IO second

1,702

726

425

9 third

1,526

1,073

703

Io fourth

1,594

636

399

Annual rate

1,647

3,150

1,913

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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN

Every man has consequently, on an average, been reported sick about once in every six months, showing this region to be extraordinarily salubrious. The annual ratio of mortality, according to the medical reports, is 7% per cent .; and of the adjutant-general's returns, ITo per cent.

FORT WINNEBAGO.

Intermittent fever.

Remittent fever

Synochal fever

Typhus fever

Diseases of the respiratory organs. I4I

Diseases of digestive organs 90

Diseases of brain and nervous system.

Rheumatic affections 26

This abstract exhibits the fourth quarters only, the mean strength being 1,571.

All other diseases, 80, with the exceptions as above.

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, 11 pneu- monia, 29 pleuritis and 10 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 193 diarrhœa and dysentery, 149 colic and cholera, and 17 hepatitis ; under the class of brain and nervous system, I epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these, 3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, I pleuritis, 2 chronic hepatitis, I gastric enteritis, I splenitis, etc.

TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT WINNEBAGO.

SEASONS.

MEAN STRENGTH.

NUMBER TREATED.

RATE PER 1,000 OF MEAN STRENGTH TREATED QUARTERLY.

Io First quarters

1,535

552

360

IO second

1,505

517

343

Io third

1,527

581

380

Io fourth

1,571

495

315

Annual ratio.

1,534

2,145

1,398

Every man on an average is consequently reported sick once in eight months and a half.

FORT CRAWFORD.

Intermittent fever

262

Remittent fever

Synochal fever

This abstract exhibits the third quarters only, the mean strength being 1,885.

Typhus fever

Diseases of respiratory organs. I77

Diseases of digestive organs_ 722

Diseases of brain and nervous system 16

Rheumatic affections. 58

All other diseases, 309, with the same list of exceptions as above.

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are included 1,048 of catarrh, 28 pneu- monia, 75 pleuritis and 13 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 933 diarrhea and dysentery, and 195 colic and cholera; under the head of brain and nervous diseases, 7 epilepsy, etc. The total of deaths, according to the post returns, is 94, the annual ratio being 276 per cent. The causes of death are : 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, I common cholera, 4 remittent fever, 3 dysentery, etc. In the third quarter of 1830 there were 154 cases of fever, while the same quarter of 1836, with a greater strength, affords but one case, the difference seeming to depend upon the temperature.

241

HEALTH OF WISCONSIN-

The relative agency of the seasons in the production of disease in general is shown in the annexed table :

TABLE EXHIBITING THE RATIO OF SICKNESS.

SEASONS.

MEAN STRENGTH.

NUMBER TREATED.

RATIO PER 1,000 OF MEAN STRENGTH TREATED QUARTERLY.

9 first quarters

1,660

987

595

IO second “

1,749

1,267

724

Io third

1,885

1,948

1,033

IO fourth

1,878

1,270

676

Annual ratio

1,793

5,472

3,052

Consequently every man on an average has been reported sick once in nearly every four months. But high as this ratio of sickness is, at this fort, and, indeed, at the others, it is low considering the topographical surroundings of the posts. But besides these injurious topograph- ical and other influences already alluded to, there were still other elements of mischief among the men at these stations, such as " bad bread and bad whisky," and salt meat, a dietary table giving rise, if not to "land-scurvy," as was the case at the posts lower down in the Mississippi valley (more fatal than either small-pox or cholera), at least to its concomitant diseases.

The reason for using these early data of the United States Army medical reports in pref- erence to later ones is, that even though the later ones may be somewhat more correct in certain particulars, the former serve to establish, as it were, a connecting link (though a long one) between the historical sketch of the diseases of the Indian and those of the white settler; and again - these posts being no longer occupied - no further data are obtainable.

To continue this historical account of the diseases of Wisconsin, we must now nave recourse to the state institutions.

THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.

The first charitable institution established by the state was formally opened in 1850, at Janesville. The census of 1875 showed that there were 493 blind persons in the state, those of school age -that is-under 20 years of age, probably amounting to 125. The number of pupils in the institution that year, 82 ; the average for the past ten years being 68. If the health report of the institution is any indication of the salubrity of its location, then, indeed, is Janes- ville in this respect an enviable city. Its report for 1876 gives one death from consumption, and a number of cases of whooping-cough, all recovered. In 1875, ten cases of mild scarlet fever, recovered. One severe and two mild cases of typhoid fever, recovered. For 1873, no sick list. For 1872, the mumps went through the school. For 1871, health of the school reasonably good ; few cases of severe illness have occurred.

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.

This was organized in June, 1852, at Delavan. The whole number of deaf and dumb per- sons, in the state, as shown by the census of 1875, was 720. The report for 1866 gives the number of pupils as 156.

Little sickness, a few cases of sore throat, and slight bowel affections comprise nearly all the ailments ; and the physician's report adds : "The sanitary reports of the institution from its earliest history to the present date has been a guarantee of the healthiness of the location. Having gone carefully over the most reliable tabulated statements of deaf-mutism, its parent-

242

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

age, its home, its causes, and its origin, we would most earnestly call the attention of the public to the fact that the chief cause comes under the head of congenital, 75. of the 150 pupils in this institution having this origin. Such a fearful proportion as this must of necessity have its origin in a cause or causes proportionately fearful. Nor, fortunately, is the causation a mystery, since most careful examination leaves not a shadow of doubt that consanguineous marriages are the sources of this great evil. Without occupying further space by illustrative tables and arguments, we would simply direct the attention of our legislators and thoughtful men to the law of this dis- ease - which is, that the number of deaf and dumb, imbeciles, and idiots is in direct keeping with the degree of consanguinity. With such a law and exhibit before us, would not a legislative inquiry into the subject, with the view of adopting preventive means, be a wise step? The evil is fear- ful ; the cause is plain ; so, too, is the remedy."

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS.

This institution is situated on the banks of the Fox river, at Waukesha, and was organized in 1860. The whole number of the inmates since it was opened in July, 1860, to October 10, 1876, was 1,291. The whole number of inmates for 1876 was 415. Of these, since the period of opening up to date, October, 1876, 25 have died : 8, of typhoid fever; I, of typhoid erysipelas ; I, of gastric fever ; 3, of brain fever; I, nervous fever ; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive chills; 5, of consumption; I of dropsy ; and I of inflammatory rheumatism.

. THE STATE PRISON.

This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1876, there were 266 inmates. But one death from natural causes occurred during the year. The health of the prisoners has been unusually good, the prevalent affections attendant upon the seasons, of a mild and manageable character.

STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.

This institution, located near Madison, was opened for patients in July, 1860. The total number of admissions down to the year 1877, was 1,227 males, 1, 122 females, total 2,349. Over one half of these have been improved ; nearly one third recovered ; while less than one quarter have been discharged unimproved. Total number of deaths, 288. At the commencement of the year, October 1, 1875, there were in the hospital. 376 patients. In the report for the year ending September 30, 1876, we find the past year has been one of unusual health in the hospital. No serious epidemic has prevailed, although 20 deaths have been reported, 7 fatally ill before admis- sion, 4 worn-out cases, etc. Insanity, coming as it does, under this head of an article on State Health, is of the highest interest from a state point of view, not only because so much may be done to remedy it, but that still more can and ought to be done by the state to prevent it. Our insane amount to 1 in 700 of the whole population, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and prisons being in round numbers 1,400. It is a striking fact, calling for our earnest consideration, that the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians import and transmit more insanity - three to one- than the American-born population produce. The causes assigned for this disparity, are, as affecting importation, that those in whom there is an hereditary tendency to disease constitute the migratory class, for the reason that those who are sound and in the full possession of their powers are most apt to contend successfully in the struggle to live and maintain their position at home ; while those who are most unsound and unequal to life's contests are unable to migrate. In other words, the strongest will not leave, the weakest can not leave. By this, the character of the migratory is defined. As affects transmission, poverty is a most fruitful parent of insanity, so too is poor land. Says Dr. Boughton, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane :

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HEALTH OF WISCONSIN

Wisconsin is characterized by a large poor class, especially in the northern part of the state, where people without means have settled on new and poorly paying farms, where their life is made up of hard work, exposure to a severe climate, bad and insufficient diet, cheerless homes, etc., etc. These causes are prolific in the production of insanity. It is easy, therefore, to trace the causes that give us so large a per cent. of insane in many of the counties of the state. Nor is it of less interest to know, as Dr. B. adds : We draw our patients from those families where phthisis pulmonalis, rheumatism and insanity prevail. Insanity and rheumatism are interchange- able in hereditary cases, so too are insanity and phithisis. What may be accomplished by intel- ligent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state ? Much. Early treatment is one means, this is of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated in table No. 10 of the annual report of Dr. Boughton, for 1876, where it is seen that 45.33 of males, and 44.59 of the females who had been sent to the State Hospital having been insane but three months before admission, were cured, the proportion of cures becoming less in proportion to the longer duration of insanity before admission. As a preventive means, the dissemination of the kind of knowledge that shows indisputably that insanity is largely hereditary, and conse- quently that intermarriage with families so tainted should on the one hand be avoided by the citizen, and on the other hand, perhaps, prevented by the state, (congress at the same time restraining or preventing as far as possible persons so tainted from settling in this country.) By the state, inasmuch as the great burthen of caring for the insane falls upon the state. Still other preventive means are found in the improved cultivation of our lands and in our improved education ; in fact, in whatever lessens the trials of the poor and lifts them out of ignorance and pauperism. It is only by culture, says Hufeland, that man acquires perfection, morally, mentally and physically. His whole organization is so ordered that he may either become nothing or anything, hyperculture and the want of cultivation being alike destructive.

THE NORTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.

This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1873. The total number under treatment September 30, 1876 was - males 246, females 257, total 503. No ailment of an epidemic charac- ter has affected the health of the household, which has been generally good. The report of Dr. Kempster is full of suggestive matter for the legislator and sociologist.

CITY OF MILWAUKEE.

Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all the health statistics which properly belong to us, we now take up those of Milwaukee, the only city in Wisconsin, so far as we know, that has kept up a system of statistics of its diseases. The city is built on each side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi- gan in lat. 43º 3' 45" N., long. 87º 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate. The board of health has furnished us with its report for 1870 and downward. The character of its mortality from June 19, 1869, to March 31, 1870, is thus summarized : In children under five years of age, 758 out of 1,249 deaths, consumption,. 93 ; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum, 59; diarrhœa, 128; scarlet fever, 132; typhoid fever, 52; inflammation of the lungs, 41 ; still- born, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a laxity of morals. The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 71/2 out of every 100, one third less out of a like number of deaths than in San Francisco, in which city, in 4,000 deaths, 441 died of con- sumption, being II out of every 100 deaths for the year ending July, 1869. The deaths for 1870 numbered 1,655, the population being at the last census report, 71,636.

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The history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, containing an account of settlement, growth, development and resources biographical sketches the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 36

Author: Western historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 840

Author: Western historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 840