[ 388 J [Oct. 



" CONSOLATIONS IN CHOLERA. 



That the cholera will cross the Channel before the reform -bill shall 

 have passed the House of Lords, or before certain noble senators have 

 exhausted their eloquence in defending the assassin of the old Marquis de 

 Louie, or before the iion-illmninated have caused the broken windows of 

 their mansions to be mended, can scarcely admit of much doubt, when 

 we look at the rapid strides this greatest of all reformers has already 

 made into the heart of Germany. At all events it may be quite as well, 

 even if it never reaches our own shores, to turn a greater share of our at- 

 tention to the means of opposing the progress of this malady, and whilst 

 scientific men are yet at variance respecting its contagious or non-con- 

 tagious qualities, to adopt all the means placed within our power, to 

 prevent the sacrifice of human life to the yet unsettled opinions of its 

 nature. 



If during the fierce disputes which have always, and ever avIU prevail, 

 on the subject of epidemics, the common consent of all the disputants 

 could but be obtained to a system of precaution, which would include 

 the resistance of attacks either from contagion or infection, then, with- 

 out any derogation to science, the epidemics which so often ravage 

 Europe, and particularly the Mediterranean coast of Spain, might pos- 

 sibly be attended with a much smaller loss of life ; but unfortunately 

 theorists have hitherto found a pride in maintaining doctrines formed 

 previous to any entrance on the arena of the malady, where alone cir- 

 cumstances should assist in forming their conclusions, which are too often 

 the cherished decision of closet-studies, or, what is still worse, interested 

 views. Such was the variety of opinions regarding the nature of the 

 late epidemic at Gibraltar, that one physician daily swallowed the " vomito 

 negro" to prove its non-contagious power, Avhilst another conversed with 

 his patients at the end of a long stick, and with averted head, lest a 

 nearer approach should communicate the disease. Experiments accord- 

 ing to the notions of each particular party were consequently practised, 

 and no single combined system of cure observed, because prejudice could 

 not be conquered.* 



If it be not too hazardous a step to pronounce an opinion derived from 

 mere experience, amidst the conflict of scientific ones which exist, the 

 precaution might not be found without its use, nor totally disregai'dful 

 of the health of the people of these realms, if the cholera morbus were 

 considered as a disease communicable, either from the breath of infected 

 persons, or by means of conducting substances, such as hemp, wool, &c., 

 from which effluvia may arise to poison the atmosphere, and propa- 

 gate the pestilence. In this light it becomes the legislature not only to 

 enforce quarantine regulations against passengers, but also to cause a 



• Until Dr. Pym's arrival in Gibraltar in 1828 no uniform system of cure or 

 precaution was adopted. It is curious to reflect on the composition of the board of 

 inquiry <rovernment instituted at this time, to consider the nature of the disease. 

 Two of tlie members of tliis board were the town major and the captain of the port. 

 In case the fever had been pronounced indigenous, the town major would have been 

 displaced for suffering a surplus population to collect in the garrison. If imported, 

 the captain of the port would have been equally disgraced for a relaxation of the 

 quarantine laws. Yet amidst this heterogeneous mixture government hoped to 

 elicit impartial opinions. 



