Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-07-12
CHOLE RA. "a


vert the introduction Of the cholera, have
been the subject Of much speculation,
not only here but elsewhere. While
many are ready to support the Board in
the measures they deem expedient for
the preservation Of the health Of the
town, there are those on the other hand
who, entertaining different views, as well
as those who are actuated by Interested
motives as prompt to condemn them. We
are aware that the Board Of Health Of
this town have been much censured for
the rigid non-intercourse laws they have
adopted in relation to the cholera: but let
us inquire if they have done what has
not been done in any other town, or CT
ty, OH the approach Of that terrible
scourge9 Was not New York and AL
bany, Immediately after the cholera
was known to be in Quebec and Mont
real, guarded at every point, by land
and by water, as well Us every interme-
date town from thence to Canada? Did
they no. even send out the militia TO stop
the communication between those places
and the places infected with cholera?--
Yet after all this we admit, it cannot be
denied that it has found its way amongst
them. If the malady be not contagious
then we are not at loss to account for
its appearance IN those places; but if it
be contagious, or can be communicated d
from one person TO another, then have
their regulations been inefficient, or In
some shape disregarded. We are GER
tain however, that the cholera did not
break out in any place between New
York and Canada previous to its appear
ance in Quebec; and that it did not ap-
pear in New York before it broke out in
Pattsburgh--and VIC are also assured
that it did not break out in any Of the
towns between Canada and Pittsburgh,
previous to the cmigrants passing through
them. Wherever the tide of emgrants
has set, the cholera has invariably sprung
up. These facts we have reason to be-
lieve, are true, the non-contagion doc
trine to the contrary notwithstanding =
Most medical men, we are sensible, en-
courage the belief that the cholera is not
c contagious, with now and then an excep-
tion-but they are as much puzzled to
get at the facts in regard to it, as they
are to control its terrible progress. We
are not amongst those who would con-
demn the Board of Health for what they
have done, for we are of the opinion that
they have done what they conscientious
y believed to be for the best interest of
his community, and if they have erred
hey have erred in the performance OF
what they felt convinced in their own
minds to be their bounden duty.
The Boston Patriot of Saturday last
contains Ell article il reference to the
Health and quarantine regulations ofthis
place, and at the conclusion Of the para
graph, the editor very kindly remarks-I
''it is to be hoped that the good people Of
Newport will not be frightened to death"
The worthy editor of that paper must
have forgotten that not many months ago,
!. vessel arrived in the port Of Boston
rom Smyrna, where the cholera was
raging, and that she was not only quar-
lntined, but was white washed, smoked,
md we believe finally scuHled--and all
his was done, (Which was proper enough)
o vessel that had come from a place
'ome thousands of miles distant infected
With cholera; and now, when the cholera
s within days sail Of Us, or less, il is
hoped that we shall not be
frightened to DEATH" because our au-
horities are doing what they deem to oe
roper to prevent its introduction amongst
IS. We will take occasion here also to
id, by way of refreshing the memories
f our kind Boston friends, particularly,
nat in 1919, when the yellow fever was
revalent in this town, the authorities Of
Boston despatched a physician to this
lace to ascertain whether il was cxpedi-
Mt or not to interdict all communicated
etwecn them and us--and if we mistake
OF the same thing was done in Work,
nd likewise Providence.
We do not think that the inhabitants Of
Newport, are more easily frightened with