EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
445 
nature and mode of treatment of cholera, must be convinced that 
some systematic plan must be adopted to ascertain what means 
have proved the most successful in its treatment, up to the present 
period. 
It is considered that no existing medical body, medical society, 
or otherwise, can carry the objects of your correspondent fairly 
out ; not from want of inclination, which has been shewn by the 
zeal displayed in the discussions on cholera, and by the exertions 
of the cholera committee of the College of Physicians, but for the 
want, it is presumed, of pecuniary power. The medical institu- 
tions and societies in this country are self-supporting; how, then, 
can it be expected by the public that medical men can “ grapple 
with the whole,” unaided by the public purse, or by Government] 
There never has been a medical society in this country which 
has devoted itself solely to the investigation of epidemic diseases ; 
had there been such an one before the late visitation, some more 
settled plan of treatment might long since have been resolved 
upon. Those who had never seen cholera before might have been 
spared much anxiety, as they would have been enabled to act on 
more fixed principles, and on recent and good authority : the pub- 
lic could not then have said that the profession “ knew not what 
they were about.” 
Can it be said that the cholera has left us 1 Where is it now 1 
Even when it is no longer heard of, may it not be lying in ambush, 
awaiting a fitting opportunity to attack us again 1 
After having lost so many thousands of our countrymen by the 
devastating foe, we must first learn with what weapons we have 
been beaten, before we can well prepare ourselves for another 
attack. 
It is painful to have to confess, that up to this day we neither 
know the real cause, the means of prevention nor cure of this aw- 
ful malady; but, it is hoped, by the combination of talent in all 
branches of the profession meeting together under one roof, formed 
into one body for one good, one national cause, that what is pos- 
sible for man to effect shall not much longer “ remain a mystery.” 
Having accomplished as much as this (aided by other countries) 
can effect with respect to Asiatic cholera, we shall still have to 
combat with other enemies to the human race, which at this mo- 
ment are thought but little of. — Scarlet fever, typhus fever, small- 
pox, measles, &c. are said to have slain 12,000 annually in London 
alone. These also are diseases which require further investigation 
and discussions on the various modes of treatment, so as to test 
which are the most effective. 
It is thought that the formation and working of such a society 
would give the highest satisfaction to the public, who anxiously 
VOL. XXIII. 3 o 
