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xvi. " The detailed evidence respecting the practice of quarantine in Malta and
Gibraltar during 1865 and 1866, contained in the recently-published reports from
the War Office on the visitation of cholera in these colonies, affords a strong argument
as to the necessity for a comprehensive investigation of the whole subject.
xvii. " No country is so deeply concerned in the right solution of this difficult
question of state medicine as Great Britain with her colonies. Besides the magnitude
of her commercial relations with every part of the world, the interests of her army
and navy, scattered as these are over the face of the globe, and liable to be subjected,
By the operation of quarantine regulations, to serious inconveniences, in moving from
one place or station to another, demand such an inquiry at the present time.
xviii. " It is, moreover, confidently believed that the well-considered expression of
opinion by this country, after a searching investigation, could not fail to have great
influence with most Continental States, as well as with all our colonies, and would
eventually lead to the adoption of a more judicious system of defence against the
introduction of foreign disease than is at present generally relied upon.
xix. " In view of the above considerations, it is submitted that it is extremely
desirable, in the interests of the national welfare, that a thorough examination of the
subject of quarantine—in its bearings on public health, commerce, and the military
and naval services—should be made by a Royal Commission, which could call for and
collect evidence from all suitable sources, and after mature deliberation, might thus
be enabled to adopt such practical conclusions as would serve for safe guidance in
future."
86. In consideration therefore of the aspect so recently given to this ques-
tion, and in the absence of sufficient experience derived and derivable from the history of
this Presidency, we refrain from expressing a positive opinion upon the advantages to
be derived from, or the necessity that exists for, the imposition of the rigorous mea-
sures of quarantine recommended by the Constantinople Conference ; but proceed to no-
tice, briefly, the measures adopted at the port of Madras, and at other ports in this Pre-
sidency, against the importation of cholera by ships arriving from infected localities or
in which the disease may have manifested itself at sea.
Rules in force at Madras.
87. At Madras a Medical Officer with the designation of Port and Marine
Surgeon, is charged with the duty of visiting all vessels arriv-
ing in the " Roads" with troops, and of reporting upon the
health of them and the crew before the former are landed,
or the latter permitted to hold any communication with the shore. Upon the report of
this official, the action of Government is taken. In the event of cholera prevailing
amongst the troops or crew, the vessel is ordered to Ennore, about ten miles north of
Madras, there to undergo quarantine, and where a Cholera camp is formed, the troops
being landed and the camp, as far as possible, isolated and placed under strict observa-
tion. The ship and crew are detained till a report is received of the cessation of the
disease—ten days being the minimum allowed from the occurrence of the last case of
sickness.
88. The same rules are followed in the case of emigrant ships arriving
with return coolies from the Mauritius or elsewhere.