Disease
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Relief

Letter from Dr. Wm. Jas. Anderson of Pictou describing the outbreak of a fever at a nearby Mi'kmaq camp. Letter reported that many fell ill to the fever, and at the time of the letter, one person had died. Fever had also spread at Merigomish, and it was reported that it began with a white family named 'Manning' who had visited Big Island and had signs of fever. Anderson asked for relief from the Government of Nova Scotia.

1846-06-27
1846-06-27

William James Anderson (Secretary Board of Health) (Author)
Sir Rupert George (Recipient)

Letter

“Pictou 27th June 1846 The Honorable Sir Rupert George Provincial Secretary Sir I am directed by the Board of Health of this place to report to you for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, the lamentable condition of the Indians in this neighbourhood; during the past week a letter was received in Pictou, from the Rev. Mr. O’Reilly, Roman Catholic Priest of the district, detailing the sickness and distress that prevailed in consequence of this, several of the magistrates met together in the courthouse and after consultation requested the health officers to visit the encampment and ascertain by personal inspection the actual condition of the Indians – the Health officers accordingly proceeded to the camp and on their return reported that they had visited upwards of twenty wigwams, that in them they found few individuals affected with a very serious form of fever, which the Indians informed them had devastated the encampment at Big Island, Merigomish, and other Indians were under great apprehensions of taking [pg.2] Taking the fever, and were consequentially not willing to hold communications with their sick friends; the health officers also reported that the sick Indians were in want of everything. The magistrates immediately authorized the Health Officers to procure a batch of oatmeal and some molasses to supply their immediate wants, and requested them to continue their attendance. Yesterday Dr. Johnston reported that there were then sixteen cases of fever, and this day a meeting of the Board of Health was held at which Dr. Anderson reported that on visiting them this afternoon, he found, one dead, about thirst prostrated with the fever, and about twenty more complaining of premonitory symptoms. Dr. Anderson also reported that all the Indians from Big Island (including the sick) had arrived at this encampment; which now consists of upwards of thirty wigwams – that all the sick Indians were in a state of destitution, and that those in health had a difficulty in procuring necessaries on account of the increasing unwillingness of the white inhabitants to hold communications with them. Under the circumstances, the Board have requested the Health officers to visit the encampment today and to see that the Indians are supplied with all absolute necessaries, until such time as they receive further [Pg.3] Further instructions from His Excellency. It has been stated by the Rev. Mr. O’Reilly that before the Indians left Merigomish, a white family by the name Manning, who had been in communication with them, had been attacked with the fever. Trusting that it will be in the power of His Excellency to issue such instructions to the Board as will enable them to relieve the existing distress and to prevent the spread of the fever in this district. I have the honor to remain Your most ob. Servant, By order of the Board Wm. Jas. Anderson Secretary, Board of Health

eng

Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 111.