23
of the past twelve months, as recorded in Dr. Montgomery's Mortuary Reports for that
period, would tend to dissipate the idea, that the disease is properly regarded as being
due, either to any inherent property in the soil or to any personal habits or peculiari-
ties of constitution on the part of the permanent residents of the town.
Arrangement of subject of
enquiry.
21. There is little doubt that the chief points of practical importance, to
which the attention of Government may now with the great-
est advantage be directed, are those which refer to :—
(1.) The primary origination of a cholera epidemic ;
(2.) The method of the diffusion of the disease ;
(3,) The prevention of circumstances favorable to this diffusion ; and,
(4,) The dissipation of the disease when established in an epidemic form.
Method of enquiry proposed
in the present Report.
22. We believe that the object of our present report will be best carried
out if we confine our observations to the practical details
upon which the orders of Government may be required; or
in other words, if we submit a brief statement of the circumstances under which
Cholera usually assumes an epidemic form, and of the regulations by which we
believe that the appearance and dissemination of the disease may possibly be
prevented.
Origination of epidemics
due chiefly to contagion from
pilgrimages.
23. All the evidence in our possession, whether derived from the Cholera
Congress or from our own enquiries, seem to point so distinct-
ly to the contagiousness of the disease, that the most practi-
cal use to which we can apply this knowledge is to investi-
gate the origination and progress of the disease, under the different circumstances
wherein it has been observed, as affecting masses of the community. The frequency
with which epidemic cholera has originated from religious pilgrimages and fairs, has
been already sufficiently investigated in our report regarding the " Control of Pilgrim-
ages" in this Presidency.
The subject of pilgrimages
has been sufficiently discuss-
ed.
24. This, the most notable condition under which Cholera, would seem to be
originated and propagated has already been fully reported
upon by us, and the Sanitary Commissioner has been so good
as to lay before us his further report on the same subject.
From these papers Government will have learned the general principles upon which
the measures for the prevention of epidemic cholera should be based.
Additional subjects to be
now considered.
25. "We do not think it necessary therefore again to enter upon the discus-
sion of the points therein set forth ; but turn in preference to
a practical consideration of the circumstances other than
those connected with pilgrimages, under which this disease
has been known to occur. Many of these appear to us equally to indicate means by which,
possibly, the appearance of the disease may be prevented, or its dissemination arrested.
The results of experience
regarding the transmission of
the disease claim especial at-
tention.
26. We therefore at once pass to the consideration of the transmissibility and
propagation of the disease. On this subject the Congress
stated :—
" That all facts hitherto ascertained demonstrate that cholera is propagated
by man, and with a speed proportioned to the amount and rapidity of his emigration