Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-08-30
. From the Charleston Courier.

The Committee to whom was referred
the letter of the Honorable the Intcn-
dant of the City Of Charleston, request
ing the Medical Society to "consider
and report such measures as they may
deem most advisable and efficient TO
preserve health OF the city, or to pre-
vent the spread of the Cholera, should
it break out amongst US" respectfully
submit the following
REPORT:
The preservation of health in n com
munity, is evidently Il matter ofthe high
est Importance. 1t is the right and duty
governments to establish such munich
pal regulations as they may deem expe-
dient to prevent the introduction of dis
ease, and to eradicate its causes when
they exist. Quarantine and santa ry
laws are enacted by all civilized nations.
Such regulations are good evidences of
an improved state of society, and Of the
direct influence Of the sciences upon the
well-being, and even the existence Of ma
tions. Your Committee have, therefore
with pleasure, at the instance ofthe pub
lie authorities, discharged the duties as
signed them, and prepared, for public
consideration and observance, the follow
ing sanitary rules.
1. All municipal regulations Of a sani-
tary nature, within the jurisdiction Of the
City Council, and of the proper officers
on the Neck, should be made fixed laws,
and their rigid enforcement enjoined up
on every ciiizec.
III. The number ofthe Commissioners
Of Health should be temporarily increas-
ed; each member should be assigned a
special duty; the Commissioners should
meet often, and every Committee report
regularly. EpIdcmics are aggravated
by the neglect of hygenic rules. The
necessity Of every mans doing his duty,
is too apparent to need argument. Ne
glect must be attended by danger to the
community, and disgrace to the indvid-
ual. At least one physician should be
appointed on each committee.
ILL., All offensive and noxious matter
should be removed from the city. AS.
decomposing vegetable substances are
considered peculiarly delcterious to-
health, it is proper that every yard, gar
den, and oul-building be inspected, and
such substances removed therefrom.-
The large gardens Of the wealthy, and
the novels Of the INDECENT, demand par
ticular attention.
Nv. Low lots ought to be filled up or
drained moist ground exposed to trop-
ical sun, is hot-bed of disease.
V. Cellars should be well aired and
cleaned. There is a great accumulation
of filth in these places, in the alleys and
narrow streets. Daily ventilation should
he enjoined in good weather. When the
water rests long, and the smell is disa-
grecable, the cellar should be paved, or
filled up, and the odour removed by ire-
quently using chloride Of lime and soda.
VI. If the disease appears in the city,
a temporary hospital should be provided
1t should be properly furnished, and sup
filled with carriages, clothes, food, &c.
Admission to all hospitals should be ia
ciltated; and the number Of Dispensary
Physicians increased. The cleansing Of
cloacD, Common sewcrs) wells, and old
ceptacles of filth, should be prohibited
during the continuance of the disease.
VII. Quarantine upon clean vessels
should be entirely abolished. All ycs-
sells, and particularly those coming from
places where the cholera prevails, should
be carefully inspected. Those requlr-
ing it, should be purified.
Your Committee are Of opinion after
a diligent and careful perusal of the nu-
merous documents to which they have
had access, that the Epidemic Cholera IS
not contagious; that is to say, there is no
animal poison contained within the sys-
tenn of ono affected with cholera, which
is communicable by contact, aud without
the action ofthe respiratory apparatus