The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-09-21 00:00:00

HEALTH OF THE. TO-ViEN

We are gratified to be able to state, that the returns of
,fever cases show the malady to be decidedly on the decline,
and that the town is fast returning to its ordinary state of
health. Since-the first week in August =the number has
been gradually decreasing, and during the weekending on
Saturday last, the mortality from all causes was lower by
51 than during the week preceding. The aggregate num-
ber of deaths for the latter period was 405; and the former
354. Of these,.there were from
This week. Last week.
Fever .128' 144
Diarrhoea, &c 75 80
Smallpox 8 7
Measles.
_ _ .

Of the deaths from fever, 54 took placein the public
hospitals, and aat the patients' dwellings. The last in-
cludes the cases of a medical practitioner, of a gentleman
and his wife resident in St. Anne-street; and of several
others in good circumstances. Twenty-three out of the 74
occurred in Vauxhall Ward, 18 in Scotland Ward; 10 in
'Exchange Ward, 8 in Exchange Ward, B.in Great George
Ward, and 15 in the remaining eight wards of the parish.
In the extra-parochial wards the mortalitrappears to have
been somewhat higher than during the former week ; but
in the worst district of Toxteth-park the new cases of fever
have been fewer than before. The deaths-in the four wards
have been
This week. Last week.
From al( causes lll 90
~ fever
diarrhoea, &c 34 25
An interestin€, table, or chart, has been prepared by
Dr. Duncan, exhibiting in a very clear and compendious
manner the progressive rate of mortality, both from fever
raid from ordinary causes, since the commencement of the
year. From this it appears, that starting from first week
in January, when the number of cases was under half a
dozen, the epidemic made but little progress till the end
of March, when the weekly deaths were from 25 to 30.
During the next two months the mortality rapidly in-
creased, the deaths during the last week in May amounting
to nearly 150. The following week showed a slight de-
crease, the numoer being somewhat under 140: but from
that period to the third week in June the disease seems to
have raged with its greatest violence, the weekly number
of deaths. having risen from 140 to 215. This was the
climax of the disorder. In the first week of July there was
a considerable abatement, the number of deaths being
190. Subsequent returns were various, but on the whole
favourable, until the first week in August, when the num-
ber of deaths was 200. Since that time there has been a
rapid and progressive decrease, the number of deaths
during the last week, as already stated, having been 128.
The general mortality has, on the whole, kept much
the same course as that from fever. Contrary to the pre-
vailing notion, which makes the winter months the most
fatal period of the year, it reached its highest point in
August, when the weekly number of deaths, exclusive of
those from fever, amounted to 320, whereas, during the
first week in January, it did not exceed 140. In the
month of June, when the mortality from fever was at its
maximum, the general mortality was less by eighty than
during the second week in August.

THE LATE DR. ANDREW COMBE ON THE
MORTALITY IN EMIGRANT VESSELS, ITS
CAUSES, AND MODE OF PREVENTION.

The excessive mortality which has assailed our emigrant
pauper population in their efforts to escape destitution
and fever at home, for the abundance and salubrity which
they have been taught to believe was to be found in trans-
atlantic climes, has excited the sympathy of the British
people ; and has called forth the efforts of the legislature
to provide a remedy. Grants have been ordered to be
made to the poor people on their landing in the British
colonies ; fever sheds have been provided for the sick, and
arrangements liberally made for forwarding into the in-
terior, in search of employment, all those capable of tra-
velling. Lord Grey and Mr. Hawes have further pro-
mised to prepare a bill for the next session of parliament,
to consolidate and amend the present emigration regula-
lations ; to provide (if practicable) that every emigrant
ship should be provided with a surgeon on board, and to
insure in future that additional means should be taken to
relieve the sufferings of emigrants arriving in a state of
sickness.
As far as they go, these efforts are valuable in their
character ; but they do not reach the evil ; and they do
not affect at all the case of emigrants to the United States,
amongst whom, although the regulations insisted upon by
the American government, with respect to emigrants ar-
riving in American ships, are infinitely better than our
own, disease has nevertheless prevailed to a distressing
extent during the past season. An interesting letter—in-
teresting not only from the information and sound views
of our shortcomings of this matter which it contains, but
as well, and especially from its being the last production
of an eminent man, Dr. Combe, of Edinburgh, lately de-
ceased, prepared in his last hours and committed to the
charge of his nephew, Mr. Robert Cox, for revision and
publication in the columns of the London Times, has
just appeared. Dr. Combe has brought to the elucidation
of the subject, his experience derived from a recent voy-
age to New York in a Liverpool packet ship, in which
were, in addition to cabin passengers, 360 emigrants,
chiefly Irish, as well as the fruits of extensive inquiries
made during a short stay in New York.
The cause of the mortality which has been so rife
amongst the emigrant passengers on board ship—called
ship fever—is first treated of by the doctor. This disease,
he says, is a variety of typhus - and like that .fever springs
from the combined influence of imperfect nutrition, viti-
ated air, filth, and moral depression. To meet the effect
of these causes, instead of adopting means only for miti-
gating the sufferings of emigrants on their arrival in
Canada, should be the chief objects of government. The
most influential causes of ship fever are the low physical
condition of the emigrants when going on board, and their
inadequate sustenance during the voyage. Of the low
physical condition of the Irish Dr. Combe speaks from
personal observation of the passengers mustered on deck
before his ship left the Mersey ; the inadequate sustenance
he proceeds to explain ;
"By the usual agreement for a steerage passage in an emi-
grant ship, the passenger undertakes, or at least is expected, to
furnish his own provisions for the voyage, the ship supplying
only fuel for cooking and three quarts of water daily. In
ordinary seasons, when food is plentiful and cheap, the emi-
grants embark in good plight, and bring along with them a
considerable supply of potatoes or oatmeal ; though, as the
captain has no means of compelling them to lay in a sufficient
store for even a voyage of average length, the supply is generally
below what is necessary. In order to guard, therefore, against
their actual starvation, either from their own improvidence or
from a very protracted voyage, the ship is bound to furnish
daily to each steerage passenger (besides at least three quarts
of water) Ilb of bread, flour, rice, or oatmeal—it being pro-
vided that at least one-half of the quantity of these provisions
shall consist of bread or biscuit, and that potatoes may be
given to the extent of one-half the supply, 51bs. of potatoes
being computed as equal to llb of the. other articles. Every
ship is compelled by law to lay in provisions for 10 weeks, (the
average passage to New York or the St. Lawrence being about
six or seven) ; and, I believe, it is not till the emigrant's own
store is exhausted, that he is entitled to demand a supply from
the captain. Hence, in ordinary years, the average mortality
on the passage, according to Mr. Hawes, is only one half per
cent. This season, however, when food has been scarce, and
the price of both meal and potatoes so high as to put them vir,
tually beyond reach, most of the emigrants have embarked
without supplies of any description, and consequently have
from the first been thrown on the stinted allowance which the
Government kindly intend to be merely a resource in an emer-
gency against actual starvation. That this destitution was the
case with almost all the poor Irish on board the ship in which
I crossed the Atlantic, I was positively assured, and I have
every reason to believe and no one who considers that the
miserable allowance above mentioned is the sole support of
men reduced by previous want to a state but ill calculated to
resist the additional unwholesome influences which they en-
counter at sea, can be much suprised at the excessive mortality
which is now occurring."
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compelled to find a supply of food to be made available
when the private supplies of the passengers fail. The
latter ought to be compelled to be larger in quantity and
should be more strictly examined ; for we know that, in
many instances, such passengers are rather disposed to
enconomize their means to the starvation point rather
than pay the ship for an allowance sufficient to sustain .
health.

The second cause of disease which Dr. Combe notices
is the noxious atmosphere which the emigrants are com-
pelled to breathe between decks, caused by the effluvia
created by human beings when in a confined state, and
neglectful of cleanliness. This is especially a strong in-
ducing cause of disease, where passengers are dirty in their
habits, and are compelled to keep much below by bad
weather. In addition to physical inducements of disease,
in such cases a moral apathy is created, which renders
the sufferers indifferent, both to their own comfort and
to their own safety. Dr. Combe says :
" There are two ways in which the purity of the air may be
promoted in emigrant ships. The first is to limit still more
the number of passengers allowed to a given space, so that less
air may be consumed, and a smaller quantity of impurities be
given out. The proportion of passengers to tonnage allowed
by the existing law (namely, 60 for every 100 tons, deducting
the crew), may not be too great for most voyages, or for per-
sons in sound health ; but when the system is enfeebled, atmo-
spheric purity becomes more and more indispensable for the
preservation of health; and hence, when, as is now the case.
most of the emigrants are impaired in constitution and prone
to disease, a larger space ought to be assigned to each than
would be sufficient in better circumstances. But as some ships
are much better constructed and more. easily ventilated than
others a discretionary power on this point might safely be en-
trusted to a well constituted board of health, provided certain
limits were laid down, which must in no instance be trans-
gressed. Even under favourable circumstances, however, the
number of passengers now allowed by law might with great
advantage be reduced."
It may be remarked that, as we diminish the number of
passengers in proportion to tonnage which a vessel is
allowed to carry, we add to the cost of the passage, and
thus impose a bar against emigration. How far the state,
in interposing to prevent overcrowding, and thus increas-
ing the cost of emigration, may be justified in taxing the
country for such extra cost, we shall not venture an
opinion.
Compulsory ventilation of emigration is the doctors'
third specific. This he considers :would not be difficult.
We admit that an approach to thorough ventilation might
be achieved ; but in rough weather no material improve-
ment is possible. When the hatches . are kept down,
through stress of weather, any other kind of ventilation
would be difficult, inasmuch as air is a fluid not less pene-
trating than water. Undoubtedly, however,' in ordinary
weather, ventilation is quite practicable. The steerage
might be kept thoroughly ventilated for passengers who,

from or apathy, cannot come on deck ; and here
a vast good would be realized.
A third cause of disease on board ship Dr. Combs- finds
to be the gross personal: uncleanliness, of the Irish poor
especially. This is increased by the apathy arising from
want of physical strength and of proper food. The latter-
inducement is undoubtedly remediable, if we could insist
that every emigrant should be well fed for a month. be-
fore sailing. The uncleanliness complained of is, how-
ever, constitutional. Irish, servants even, in our own-
eountry seem to have an instinctive abhorrence of personal
ablution'and of change of clothing. Irish paupers—lrish.
reapers, who are semi-paupers—some even of that people
who visit our shores, not fairy entitled to the term neces-
sitous, seem to cling with a feelir, of love to their old and
filthy clothing. Witness the patched attire of thousands
whom we see in our streets—the coats which seem to have
descended from sire to son—the nether garments fastened
on by all manner of skewers, pegs and other fastenings, as
if never meant to be reling,uished until they drop off from'
the effects of age. It would indeed require " a firm hand,
directed by much benevolence and sound sense to enable
the master of an emigrant shipto keep the nuisance within
bounds." But in addition to these aids which Dr. Combe•
thinks would be sufficient, we are confident that some-
thing more would be required. A little schooling of the
Irish peasant in habits of cleanliness at home would not
be amiss. Dr. Combe says
A fourth and far from inactive cause, also in a great mea-
sure removable, is the moral depression and want of elasticity
of intellect and feeling almost inseparable from long continued
physical deterioration-. and which renders it difficult to with-
stand the inroads of disease. The Irishman may not become
gloomy or despondent; but he loses his bounding hilarity: the
spring of life is weakened, and he falls a victim to di.sease,
where in happier circumstances he would have escaped unin-
jured. To restore him be must be fed ; and to allow him to go•
to sea with food only•sufficient to keep soul and body together
under favourable circumstances, is to leave him exposed to the-
inroads of disease, whenever bad weather, crowding, or neglect
may chance to add its adverse influence to the many other
evils under which he is already suffering. In the navy all this
is well understood,.and it only requires the vigorous applica-
tion of the same principles to the protection of emigrants, to
ensure for them the same safety which is enjoyed in her
Majesty's ships.'"
The subject is well worthy of the attention of govern-
ment ; and, although we are afraid that it will be found
impossible to effect all that the benevolent doctor has-
propounded as desirable, we feel convinced that something
very beneficial to our poor emigrant fellow-countrymen
may be achieved, and at all events ought to be attempted.

TO A WRITER IN THE LIVERPOOL MERCURY,
SIGNING " A CATHOLIC."

LETTER 11.

SlR,—Your remark about the many divisions m the
Church of England is a stale one, and to boast of your
vests ch"..a. " .eso tm0.1.14..1 c. c.s y .
You know, sir, were Ito number up the divisions, the
turmoils, the factions, that have distracted the Church of
Rome—popes against priests, and priests against popes—
aye, and even popes against popes, when three fought for
the precedency, and three heads ruled, or tried to rule, over
the Church of Rome; the heresies encouraged and set on foot
by popes themselves, and the uncertainty to which they have
been consigned ever since they deserted the anchor of the
.faith—the Bible—and went in spite of the laws and
judgments and creeds of Catholic antiquity ; you know I
should number up such a black catalogue as should for
ever frighten a reasonable being into silence about Romish
unity, and the peace resulting from Romish infallibility.
I am glad to be able to disbelieve your assertion that the
Church of England totters to her fall, far I believe that
never stood she on a prouder pedestal—never did she
evince more signs of life and health and vigour, whilst
she is strengthening her cords, striking her roots, spread-
ing her arms, and marching forth, with true catholic and
apostolic spirit and determination, over the whole civilised
and uncivilised globe.
Your remark concerning celibacy and marriage is of a
piece with your other perverse attempts at reasoning and
argument. Dr. APNeile affirms his belief that it is un-
lawful, unscriptural, and highly injurious, to require celi-
bacy from bishops, priests, and deacons. You accuse
him of contradicting our Saviour, when, say you, he
commends those who have made themselves eunuchs for
the kingdom of heaven's sake ; and also St. Paul, who,
" whilst advising those who cannot contain themselves to
marry, nevertheless expresses a wish that all were like
himself—thg is, unmarried." I ask, where is the con-
nection here—where the point of application ? How
does Dr. Wisteile contradict the Saviour and his Apostle?
Does the Saviour, does the Apostle sanction the imposing
of celibacy upon the Christian ministry ? On the con-
trary, the former sanctions marriage, and the latter
boasted of his power to lead about a wife, whilst many
of the Apostolic college availed themselves of the privi-
lege. No, sir ; the Saviour commends, and St. Paul
commends him who, for the sake of the kingdom of
heaven, forewent a privilege which he undoubtedly had ;
and Dr. M‘Neile and the Church of England do not dare
to rob any one of this commendation. Nor, sir, does the
Church of England dare to rob bishops, priests, and dea-
cons of that undoubted right which God conferred upon
them, and God has never taken away. To assume such
a power would indeed be in the highest degree tyrannical
and unjust, and, let me say most solemnly, blasphe-
mously defying the authority of the God that instituted
marriage. She commends the consideration of such a
momentous point to every candidate for her orders, in the
sight of God ; and, following St. Paul's precept, leaves it
open to them as they, imploring the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, shall judge best for their own spiritual welfare and
the welfare of God's Church, " over which the Holy
Ghost has made them overseers." "If they cannot con-
tain themselves, let them marry." It may be for the
welfare of the Church and the individual, in many cases,
that he should marry ; and the Church of England does
not presume to enter a man's heart, or to ascertain his
hidden nature. If it be necessary, perhaps I may bring
history to attest to the crime and the infamy with which
this unjust Romish regulation has deluged the world
and the Romish Church.

And now, sir, I think I have followed you pretty closely
through the sinuosities of your wiry course. Some idle
remarks upon the 39 Articles and Oaths contain no argu-
ment, and therefore need no refutation ; no charge
bearing the appearance of respectability, and therefore
are unworthy notice. You again harp on the old theme
of the novelty of the Church of England ; but this I have
already refuted, and you might as well tell us of the no-
velty of Christianity itself. I grant that the " blasphe-
mous fables and dangerous deceits " of Popery were im-
posed upon the faithful, and confided in by the deluded,
before Luther was born, as Luther was God's instrument
in beginning the work of sweeping the holy place of those
unscriptural, uncatholic, and therefore heretical abomina-
tions ; but the Church of England—l glory in the bold
confession I am about to make—flourished in this the
country of my fathers, in apostolic purity, ages before
Rome corrupted and defiled the faith once delivered to
the saints. Founded by an Apostle of Christ, blest with
the guidance of heaven-directed ministers, and endowed
with the graces communicated to " all churches of the
saints," for many ages she stood an unflinching wit-
ness for the truth, and a " shining light to lighten the
Gentiles" ; her brightness undimmed, her splendour un-
sullied, her purity untarnished, her fidelity incorrupt, she
nobly won for herself the commendations of a good and
faithful servant, and claimed the title bestowed by inspi-
ration—" The house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." But it
was your Church, the Church of Rome, the infallible, the
indefectible, that, after heaping upon the faith heresies,
fables, and deceits, touched with her contagious hand the
Church of this country, and made it almost like herself—
a sink of Pagan abominations and heathen corruption.
But—" I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the
knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth
which hath not kissed him"—it pleased the Head of the
Church that within this once faithful Church a revivifying
power should burst forth, and that she should again, by
casting down the idols set up in her temples, and
rooting out the corruptions grown within her, emerge in
splendour and purity, and throw from off her the shackles
of foreign bondage, and the tyranny of her adulterous
sister, and would-be mistress, of Rome. And now she
exists in all the essential features which characterised her
in the primitive ages I have alluded to : she has indeed
gone through the fire and the contagion, and surely it is
the Lord's work and marvellous in our eyes," that she
should have come out so little impaired and so little in-
fected.

With haste, sir, I must conclude. I know not whether
Dr. M`Neile has to be thankful to you for your forbear-
ance, or whether he and I, and all good Protestants,
should have wished you to have employed at least a co-
lumn more in evincing your inability to overthrow his
positions, and :the impotence of casuistry and sophistry
when opposed to reason and truth ; that you had still pro-
ceeded after the manner of those victims of the writing
furor, who, we are told,

" Plunged for their sense, but found no bottom there ;
Then wrote and floundered on in mere despair."

Believe me, sir, one sentence of argument would have
more weight than many tirades of abuse, and an attempt
to prove your charges than multiplied insinuations and
uncharitable inference. How can you hope that your
precepts should have a beneficial effect upon Dr. M`Neile,
after the example you have set him ? or that he should
be induced to mend in charity, by your bitterness and
virulence. Yours, &c.,
September 10th, 1847. NIGEL.