28 Dr. Henry's further Experiments on the 



ratus and fuel, I am unable to supply ; but much observation 

 of the use of steam, on a large scale, induces me to believe 

 that the cost of producing and of applying it to this purpose 

 -would be far more than compensated, by the great and mani- 

 fest advantages of abridging the duration of quarantine, — per- 

 haps of supplanting it altogether. I do not, however, con- 

 sider steam as an essential vehicle of heat for disinfecting 

 purposes. Temperature, in whatever manner it may be raised, 

 will doubtless be found adequate to the effect. It is probable 

 that a current of air, heated within a safe point, on the plan 

 invented by the late ingenious Mr. Strutt, of Derby, and now 

 applied to so many useful purposes in manufactures and do- 

 mestic economy, might accomplish the end at much less 

 expense of time and money *. All that I attempt is to furnish 

 the principle; its application I leave to experienced engineers 

 in this and other countries. After the most attentive conside- 

 ration, I can myself discover no objection to the execution of 

 the plan, that may not be surmounted by a reasonable share 

 of zeal and perseverance ; and without the exertion of those 

 qualities, no important improvement was ever carried through 

 all its stages, — from its first suggestion to its final and com- 

 plete establishment. 



That the quarantine laws of every civilized country require 

 to be carefully revised, and to be entirely re-modelled bi/ mutual 

 agreement bet'ween different natiotis, does not admit of a doubt. 

 In their present state, they are both oppressive and inadequate. 

 They demand observances that are of no use, and overlook 

 others that would be really efficacious. They impose grievous 

 and needless restraints on personal freedom ; they fetter com- 

 merce and navigation ; they abridge the demand for produce 

 and manufactures; and thus, by making scant the means of 

 life over wide and populous districts, they nourish discontent, 

 increase all the sufferings attendant on poverty, and give 

 rise to inborn diseases, far more spreading, and scarcely less 

 severe, than those against which they are intended to act as 

 barriers. 



The basis, however, of a wise and beneficial system of qua- 

 rantine laws, — of such a system as, while it affords all needful 

 security against the introduction of contagious diseases, shall 

 trespass no more than is absolutely unavoidable on the vital in- 

 terests of trade and commerce, — can only be found in a collec- 

 tion of well ascertained facts respecting contagion. Of these it is 



• See " the Philosophy of Domestic Economy," by Charles Sylvester, 

 which contains a full account of Mr. Strutt's plans, as carried into effect 

 at the Derbyshire General Infirmary, 1 vol. thin 4to. Published by Long- 

 man and Co., London, 1819. 



not 



