The Sun.
London, England, 1869-10-09 00:00:00

SCARLET FEVER.

Though unable tostate to what extent scarlet fever,
i
from which London s now suffering, prevails through-
out the country, the fact that the disease was even
more fatal lest week in Liverpool than in London,
and almost as much BO in Sheffield and Leeds,
gives says the Lancet, very strong indica-
tion that we are passing through one of those
periodical epidemics which reveal all the weak
places of the country—an advantage which is far too
dearly purchased at a lamentable cost of human life.
The same journal mentions that a conviction under
the Sanitary Act has been obtained by the Liverpool
health officer against the owner of a house for alrow-
ing the goods of a tenant who had scarlatina in his
family, which goods had been seized under a distress
for rent, to be removed to a broker's where they were
sale ; the broker was also proceeded
exagpaionsaedt for
and convicted for so exposing infected
articles.

TUB FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
In presenting his monthly report to the vestry of
Marylehone, Dr. Whitmore, the medical officer of
health for the district drew attention to the extent
to which the,
and its effect upon the food of .she foot and mouth disease amongst cattle
is
peopte. 404 cows kept in Marylebone, 310 have
been attacked by the diStaBf) in addition to 85 or 40
others that were removed either on the first appear-
ance of symptoms or soon after recovery. In several
sheds the disease assumed its most formidable char-
acter, and avery.cow was attacked by it. Dr. Whit-
more has not a doubt that the disease is intensely
contagious, and is largely spread through the medium of
sheep. The secretion of milk does not stop altogether
except in the most severe cases when cows are at-
tacked, and most cowkeepers frankly admit that this
milk is mixed with that of healthy cows and sold to
their customers. The probability, therefore, is that
the inhabitants not only of Marylebone, but of all
other districts of London, have been drinking milk
from infected animals for some time past ; but as
the weekly returns of sickness from charitable insti-
tutions show no appearance of disease amongst chil-
dren, the doctor comes to the conclusion that the
risk or danger of drinking such milk is very small.
He, however, states it as his duty to urge the wisdom
and policy of always throwing away the milk from
infected animals.

GUAUDIANS AGAIN.
Attention is called in the Lancet to another instance
,
of the consideration of guardians for the poor under
their car©, The authorilaa of the Bridgivator Union
have lately undertaken ro find quinine and cod-liver
oil for the sick poor • but as every person will
be obliged to go for them to the druggist
who lives in the town, the boon will be to a
large extent valueless, many of the poor living as far
away as twenty or twenty-four miles One of the
medical officer; has written to complain of this al-lurl
arrangement, but the board have decided that they
will not interfere with their present plan.

THE SUEZ CANAL.

Some authorities are beginning to feel dubious as
to the opening of the Suez Canal for immediate
traffic. No doubt the inauguration will take place as
appointed, but it is questioned whether the pasEage
will speedily be fit for the regular operation of com-
merce. It is said that a Liverpool firm sent an agent
expressly to survey and report, and, according to his
account, the depth of water throughout the canal is
very uneaual. $' An Eavntian corvette recently went

upIL short distance and stueir last, but In anticipation
of such a mishap she had been sent stern foremost,
and so came back without difficulty."
_ _

THE ALBERT COMPANY.

A joint meeting of the London and. Provincial
Committee of the Albert Life Assurance Company
was held in London on Thursday. Notwithstanding
the opposition which has beon shown in some parts of
the provinces the bulk of the policy-holders appear
to approve of the scheme for working the Albert
account by the Alliance Company. The result of
Thursday's meeting was that a sub-committee was
appointed to conduct negotiations with the Alliance
'W
Company. Lord illiam Hay is the chairman of
the sub-committee.