The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-01-29 00:00:00

THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT AND THE

HEALTH OF THE NAVY.
To the Editor.

In connection with the above subject, the following
=r3Ahas RO the round of the Preis :—" The advert-
M the C xitagious Demme Acts are sticeini by •
comparison of the five ports in which them are in force,
as compared with other five where they do not prevail."
Is reply to this, it appears that the comparison referred
to was supplied to Parliament in July last, on the motion
of Sir Harcourt Johnstone, M.P., who has charge of the
Bill for the Repeal of thee. Acts. The writer of the above
peraiqrt has not taken the trouble to investigate facts
and very closely, or be could not have presumed to
claim or the Ace those advantages which appear on •
superficial view of the comparison between the five port.
subjected and the fire porta not subjected to the Acts.
The Maisel Seguin,' for December 15th, 157, contains
an elaborate analysis of this comparison, which clearly
shows that in the five protected ports, via., Plymouth,
Portsmouth, Queenstown, Dartmouth and Southamp-
ton, contagious disown consequent upon vice 'screwed
during the last five yeara while the Contagious
Diseases Acts have been in complete operation, by al=
per 1,000 men, and have thus caused 349 men yearly (as
en ..pjes eesrme ship's crew) to be laid up with these
demises "more than is the previous five years when
these Acts were not in complete operation." Not only is
the number of mai inmeseed, but the severity of devisee
also; for secondary disease has in.:reamed in these five
parts protected by the Acts, and the mast common form
of dimes "ha. more than doubled," Further, the
average &trail= of the cases ham risen from 18 days when
the Acta first berm to
against this
to 116 days now that
they are in their most perfect operation. The only
advantage to Os set this serious increase of
disease, is • fal of 413 per 1.000 in that form of disease
which is of In unimportant chareeter ; for the disease
which affects the constitution has Increased,,. is shown
by the increase of constitutional disease amongst the men
during the five years in the five ports referred to se under
ths Acta

st—ce-raful examination of the tabka of comparison
referred to :Isarly shows further that the presence of the
Acts does on prevent the loathes of disease, and their
absence permit' entire freedom from disease ; and from
the above tables it is clear that it is immaterial as regards
the amount of disease, both in the army sod navy,
whether the Acts are in fcetse or not. It is to other
causes that we must look for an explanation oi the
difference between different posts, end not to the presence
or absence of this Istiothdoll,

MR EDWARDS'S TREAT AT THE WORKHOUSE.
Joyful were the poor souls at the Unionhouse, when
they lammed that Kr. Edwards had not forgotten them,
for most of them knew what that meant—having either
ezrienced or learnt by report that it included son,.-
thing ier the evening, as the gilt of our much.
loved =bar of Parliament, and not only that, but they
knew it would be brought to them by kind friends who I
take an earnest interest in their welfare, and who delight '
in being the alownien of ME Edwards'. bounty. We
need scarcely say that Mr. R. Thomas, who always
thinks about, talks about, and plans for the poor people.
ae tars. Is consistent with the ratepayer's interest was
" to the front " in this matter, on Tuesday night, and he
was assisted by Mr. Polly Hooper, Mr. W. J. Harker,
whose littk girl at once established friendly relations
with some poor children, and Dr. Simpson, who cheerily
bore the good things, re if to the pleasure born. Sundry
jogs sad cans, with scores of pannikias, filled with
foaming beer, were brought to light & box revealed
oranges by the hundred, a tea chest, wee heaped with
brown paper packages and Mr. Thomas had a specially
delightful pac.ket for the children, whence Lammed bete
and halls, wickets, racquets, dolls, cats and mice,
bonbons in pretty cases, and so on with the varied toys
dear to chi's Merle. For all them and other
" material guarantees" for enjoyment that evening, they
were indebted to the goodness and liberal curse of Mr.
H. Edwards, who thus showed that he wants the hearts
of the Weymouth people of every rank.
The little group then made the round of the wards,
personally to distribute the good things, and to speak •
kind word to the inmates They bore—for each man, a
pint of beer, two *moss of tobacco, and a pipe ; for each
woman a quarter-pound of tea, and • pound of lump
sugar, while thole who were still coteries of the sueethin
mull had as much snuff es they liked. The old
woman's day ward was first entered, exude quite
lively with many picture., end here the tea and sugar
were most highly valued. these ancient mothers showerinp
their blemines on Mr. Edwards. The old women.
dormitory, sad their infirmary were entered next in
order. and here the elderly dames, though feeble, were
not so far gene but that they managed to take their
packets, the three in bed, and three sitting up being
equally ready to receive. Old Mrs Falle, who dropped
her bundles of comfort at last year's visits, has since
dhr2"dverythfe.wbedYin ittr Mtn: telodienr-gheartedwomenklthinern,rmarvwith
I large experience, Wad charmed to see the clean and
contented little baby sucking at its bottle. That baby
was born on Christmas Day, and It. mother died three
weeks Liter, stricken with paralysis from the brain all
down the left side. Eight peer wretches from the streete
they have had in there, end six have gone back to their
evil way ; but two go to-morrow to • Rescue Home, Mr.
Thome. gave them good advice—Shameful was the
conduct of a fellow woman to one of these girls; the child
had been got into • place of service from the Union;
wilful, she would not stay in one situation, and wag
decoted by • vile woman, into Portland, where her sister
and some friends found the had been robbed of nearly an
her clothes, and reduced to the basest degradation,—
Visiting the old women's minor room, we go to the
" Nursery? This is nicely boarded and here the
old women take case of the little children, while
their mothers ere away working about the house.
The men's infirmary among other awes still conking the
three imbecile brothers, artful enmesh to know when
things are given away, but tumble to walk or feed them-
selves ; no doubt this unhappy two will get no more beer
than Ie good for them ; but even they are interested at the
unwonted donations The old men's infirmary and the
old mess sitting room are next visited, and in the latter
the eighteen grave seniors give "three cheers for It,,
Edwards," in proem style,
_and "Here's wishing him •
happy new year sad long life,' and cheers come for Mr.
I Thomas also.—ln the ablebodied women's kitchen, &eked
I with festoons and picture*, the kind mistrals, Mre.
Bishop, shows us 18 girl, under Min Ayles, and 19 boys
under Mr. Staunton, industrial trainer, and we bear these
children are not only clean and happy-looking, as we note,
but they are well taught. They are drawn up Ins semi-
circle, and "good ermine coins from each in a sort of
chorus Near are some of the imbteiles and not • few of
the women, and the whole are to be treated to • =mein
lantern show. But first Mr. Thomas produces his
toys, and bonbons, at which the &Seining eye weer.=
anthemen are delighted to hand round the gifts
This doungtolinew.ic lantern is set up, and the pictures
are shown the white wall of the kitchen, with
effect as as on a lecture room curtain. Next we
accompany the active and business-like madder, Mr. Bishop,
late his affios, for s further supply of beer and tobacco
this time for the able-bodied men--; but the children hound
are merry, and as we turn our backs we hear gleeful
sounds proceeding from those girls and boys, after they
have shouted cheers for Mr. Edwards, Hr. Thomas, and
Mr. Harker, great in the matter of sweeties In the able-
bodied mess ward, Mr. Thomas inked them to drink Mr.
Edward?s good health. Mr. Edwards had been kind
, enough to remember them once again, and he did it in the
hope that they would here a little- enjoyment, and to let
I them know that among the meanest and the lowest of the
Place be represented, nom were foramina by him, Kr.
, Edward?. health was drunk with three-times-three,
I followed by a mannered rem of cheers, and" one more as
you like him. Then came the turn of "Mr. Thomas" and
"the doctor."—Mr. Monne said he was very much obliged
to them; and proceeded to speak of the merdians, when
he was interrupted by "three cheers for Mrs. Thomas,"
for which he thanked them remarking that she often
spoke to him about them. He trusted they would always
remember that the guardians cared for them; but the,
most net expect then caseate to be consulted ; that only
applied to the need sad infirm end whilst peewee in the
workhouse are able-bodied theyought not to expect the
„gem.s at large to minister to their suisport. Soak,
be feared, ought not to be there, and be thought it wee
a great shams that they should tax persons no better off
than themselves. One there be knew could darn 1:9 •
week, another could awn his (WINS • week, while another
could have constant employment but would not take it.
He hoped those who could go out and earn their own
living would
there
do es (Hee!, hear.)—Mr. Thomas next
enquired .
were say osesaler Although it was
yet early, one stray wanderer was ;he was from
Daaterbure. sad hi, ergs Mined wide at Choosiest of •
pint of hem, sad the promise of Mom Ia the neamins.
That man will carry away a kindly recollection of Mr.
Edwerds's name, and his curious custom sit the Weymouth
Workhouse. Some poor fellows in • sick ward were
finally Crested, and the result of the whole wee that about
79 men. 10 women, and 49 children readied pleamre from
Mr. Edwards's gifts, and wished clo all Way.
mouthinen—• hemp, new year.