716 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



prevent invasion; the poison of the disease is subtle, and may effect an entrance 

 into the country at some unguarded point. The funds necessary to the stamping 

 out of the disease in a particular locality, and to the prevention of its spread to 

 other localities might in some instances be borne by the municipality or State 

 affected ; but should the disease occur in a locality which has failed or is unable 

 ■to make provision for the occurrence, its spread to other cities and States would 

 be imminent. The want of means at the infected point would be disastrous to 

 many others. Congress has recognized the necessity for aid to State and local 

 boards of health under similar conditions in the case of yellow-fever. In 1879 

 the sum of $500,000 was appropriated and placed at the disposal of the National 

 Board of Health; and the records show that of this sum $160,000 was employed 

 in combating the epidemic of that year. We therefore recommend that the influ- 

 ence of this Conference be used with the view of having appropriated by the 

 National Legislature the sum of $500,000, to be used, or as much thereof as may 

 be needful, in case of a cholera invasion, in stamping out the disease from the 

 infected localities, and in preventing its spread from state to state. 



The removal of local unsanitary conditions favorable to the development 

 of cholera is the especial work of state and local boards of health. Much has 

 been done already in some states, but much remains which should receive imme- 

 diate attention. Where it can be done. State Sanitary Inspectors should be 

 appointed to visit all the towns and cities specially liable to the disease, to coun- 

 sel with the local authorities as to the best methods of prevention. This work 

 should be vigorously prosecuted before the disease reaches our shores. 



The cause of cholera is contained in the discharges of persons affected by 

 the disease, or in things infected by such discharges. Should the disease reach 

 ■our shores, the first case, and after this the first case which reaches any given 

 community, should be strictly isolated ; all infected material from those and 

 from any subsequent casses shonld be destroyed in such manner as to stamp 

 •out the disease. Intelligent sanitary precautions beforehand and scientific dis- 

 infection and treatment in the presence of the disease should take the place of 

 necessary cruelties in case of a panic. In case any city or town is infected, the 

 same principles of isolation should in general be applied to the city as to the 

 infected individual. Intercourse with other places and cities should be under 

 sanitary supervision, substantially as set forth in the rules and regulations of the 

 National Board of Health, respecting the inspection of travelers, disinfection of 

 effects, vehicles, etc. 



Health officers and inspectors appointed by state or provincial boards of 

 health should, in addition to other sanitary work, see that the localities have set 

 .apart, erected, or planned to be set apart or erected, structures which shall 

 possess the sanitary requirements of an isolation hospital. But as regards all 

 necessary work by local boards of health, most state and provincial ^boards of 

 health have printed and issued documents which give ample instructions. 



