The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-03 00:00:00

THE CHOLERA.

(From the Times' Correspondent.)

SOUTHAMPTON, Monday Evening.
I regret to have to announce that since my last
report another fatal case of Asiatic cholera has oc-
curred in this town. The unhappy victim was a
highly respectable man, 62 years of age named Henry
Westcott, residing at No. 11, Anglesea-terrace,
Chapel. After a slight attack of diarrhoea, extending
over two or three days, Dr. Bencraft was called in on
Thursday evening, and he almost immmediately came
to the conclusion that it was a case of Asiatic cholera.
On Friday the poor fellow was seen by Dr. Wiblin,
M.R.C.S., medical officer of quarantine at South-
ampton ; Professor Parkes, of Netley Hospital ; and
Dr. Cooper, the medical officer of health, but, not-
withstanding all the aid that could be rendered, he
died at tyen minutes to five on Friday evening.
The cause of death was certified by Dr. Bencraft
as " Asiatic cholera," and I am informed by some of
the medical gentlemen named that every symptom of
the genuine form of that dreadful disease was present
in this case—such as vomiting, purging, cramping
in all the limbs, ricewater evacuations, marked cho-
leraic voice, sunken eyes, and the peculiar shrivelled
appearance of the hands and extremities. This case,
with the fact that others with premonitory symptoms
are occurring, has been communicated by the autho-
rities to the medical department of the Privy
Council, who I understand intend to despatch an
inspector to Southampton to co-operate with the
mayor and to take such steps as may be necessary to
preserve the health of the town.
In connexion with this subject I have still greater
regret in announcing to you that during the last few
days there has been an outbreak of cholera at Sholing -
common and at Bitterne, situate relatively about
four and two miles from Southampton, both healthy
districts, situate on a gravelly soil, abundantly sup-
plied with good water, and on former visitations of
this epidemic totally free from any attacks. They
are situate on the south-eastern side of the river
Itchen. The two cases at Sholing-common have
proved fatal ; of seven cases at Bitterne two have
proved fatal—the other patients are, it is hoped,
improving. The four deaths have been certified by
Dr. Osborne, who attended all the cases, as " cho-
lera." There is also a marked prevalence of diarrhoea
all over the district of Bitterne.

This sad visitation has, as might be expected, ex-
cited much alarm in the neighbourhood, and this
afternoon a public meeting has been held at Bitterne,
presided over by the rector, the Rev. Mr. Usborne,
to devise remedial measures. The meeting was at-
tended by nearly a hundred of the resident gentry,
landowners, and other inhabitants.

Dr. OSBORNE opened the proceedings by detailing
the circumstances of the sad visitation, and urged
on the wealthy and influential inhabitants the ne-
cessity of entering into a public subscription, more
especially for the purpose of purchasing every
requisite that might be necessary for disin-

fecting and deodorizing the premises of the
poorer population, and giving them such necessaries
and comforts as may be required. He read a num-

ber of rules which had been drawn up by Professor
Parkes and himself for the purpose of directing the
people how to act in the event of their being attacked
by diarrhcea.

Dr. PARKES, of the Royal Military Hospital,
Netley, then addressed the meeting, and gave some
valuable Indian details, as well as those collected
from the Board of Health returns, as to the invalu-
able system of house-to-house visitation. He re-
commended the appointment of a committee, con-
sisting of gentlemen who would take upon them-
selves the duty of visiting and examining the water-
closets and cesspools of the poorer people, and dis-
tributing among them disinfecting and deodorizing
preparations. Among other suggestions, he laid
particular stress upon one, that the inhabitants should
be supplied with pure water, conveyed daily to the
dwellings of the poor.
Mr. J. HOARE next spoke, proposing the forma-
tion of a committee, and named several gentlemen,
who all acquiesced in giving gratuitous aid. He
then introduced

Dr. WIBLIN, of Southampton, who said he had
seen several visitations of cholera, and had consi-
derable experience in .that fearful disease. He had

seen some of these cases at Bitterne with Dr. Os-

borne, and speaking, as he did, of the nature of the
disease in his own locality (Southampton), he did

not consider it proper to use eany degree of reticence

on the nature of the complaint which had made
its appearance. Ile had taken a very active part
in the treatment of Asiatic cholera in three severe

visitations of the disease, and he had no hesitation