1867.] The Public Health. 453 



With regard to the first question, the conference was unani- 

 mously of opinion that cholera is spread hy means of a poison. Of 

 the nature of the poison, there was not sufficient evidence to arrive 

 at any definite conclusion. Dr. Klob, of Vienna, and Dr. Thome, 

 of Cologne, both exhibited specimens of low organisms that they 

 had discovered in the dejections of cholera patients. These forms were 

 cellular, and produced by germination fungoid growths similar to 

 those found in moulds. The Conference received with much caution 

 these communications. It will be remembered that in this country 

 in 1848, Drs. Britton and Swayne, of Bristol, discovered germs of a 

 similar nature in cholera investigations. There was every reason to 

 believe that the organisms then found were not peculiar to cholera, 

 but that they were organic bodies of various kinds that had 

 probably been taken into the intestines by food. Too much caution 

 cannot be exercised in coming to conclusions with regard to the 

 significance of these so-called cholera-spores. With regard to the 

 propagation of cholera by drinking-water, Mr, Simon brought 

 before the Conference the experience of London in the three last 

 epidemics. The demonstration of water conveying the poison has 

 not been apparently so complete anywhere as in London. Pro- 

 fessor Pettenkofer laid his researches upon the influence of soil on the 

 production of cholera before the Conference. He maintains that 

 soil overflowing with sewage, and suddenly becoming exposed from 

 the sinking of the ground-water, is a nidus for the spread of 

 cholera-poison. This subject was one which the Conference agreed 

 required further investigation before any fixed laws could be laid. 

 On the second point, the utility of disinfection, the Conference was 

 quite agreed. Where disinfectants had not succeeded, the causes 

 were clearly pointed out, as in the movements of troops, thoroughly 

 bad buildings, and overloaded drains and cesspools, or the use of 

 impure drinking water. The disinfectants especially recommended 

 by the Conference were carbolic acid and sulphate of iron. The 

 latter disinfectant has not been much used in England, but it has 

 one qualification that has led to its being recommended by Pro- 

 fessor Pettenkofer, and that is its permanency and acid reaction. 

 Other disinfectants, as chlorine, carbolic acid, and the permanganates, 

 act well immediately, but lose their power in the course of a little 

 time. The Conference recommend a mixture of carbolic acid and 

 sulphate of iron for ordinary disinfection. For soiled linen it was 

 recommended that it should be boiled, and then dipped in a solution 

 of sulphate of zinc. This should be constantly used for water- 

 closets, drains, cesspools, and accumulations of vegetable and 

 animal matter. 



The Conference recommended that attention should be given to 

 the following points: — 1. To lower organisms in reference to 

 cholera. 2. To the influence of drinking-water. 3. The con- 



