1866. | and its National Danger. 313 
He stated further, that “he thought it would be better to leave 
the matter in the hands of the local authorities, as there was a 
general objection throughout the country to Government inter- 
ference ;” and also, that “the best security against the disease was 
for the local authorities to supply their towns with pure water, 
and to thoroughly clean and drain their houses.”* 
‘The Times’ newspaper reviewed the subject. in a leader on the 
day when these remarks were reported in its columns, and thus 
disposed of the whole question : 
“ Better stop the imports ” (of emigrants) “at Hull.” 
Before we state briefly to our readers what is known to science 
of the march of cholera, we will just extract from the preceding 
observations the opinions of the Legislature and of the Press on the 
subject : 
1. They believe that it is impossible to enforce quarantine ; and 
if it were, the disease is so capricious in making its appearence in 
individuals that it would be useless to do so.—In other words, 7¢ ds 
impossible to prevent the importation of cases of continental cholera. 
2. The local authorities object to Government interference ; and 
it is for them, by the employment of sanitary measures, to render 
it innocuous when it touches our shores. 
3. Nevertheless ‘The Times,’ which may be said on such a 
question to reflect public opinion, recommends the stoppage of the 
passenger traffic, and by that means the exclusion of the cholera. 
From this summary our readers will be able to form their own 
opinion as to the amount and value of the advice and assistance 
likely to be afforded by the State in case of an outbreak of 
epidemic disease more virulent than that which already exists in 
the country ! 
Now it happens, fortunately for those who like to avail them- 
selves of that channel for information, that Dr. Francis E. Anstie, 
the senior assistant-physician to the Westminster Hospital, has 
just published a most valuable little book on Epidemics, intended 
“for the use of the public,’t in which the whole question is con- 
cisely and ably reviewed, and we have marked the following obser- 
vations for extract, as they will convey to our readers all that will 
be requisite for our consideration at the present time. 
First, as regards Typhus :— 
“'Typhus first makes its ‘nest,’ to use a cant word which is 
dismally prevalent just now, in the courts and alleys inhabited by the 
very poor, Unlike relapsing fever, it is a very mortal disease ; and, 
moreover, the contagion is much stronger than that of relapsing 
fever.” 
#* * Times,’ May 15, 1866. 
+ ‘Notes on Epidemics. By F. E. Anstie, M.D., F.R.C.P. Jackson, 
Walford, & Hodder, 1866. t Ibid., p. 44. 
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