The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-06

JAMES KELLY, Chm, h7,.5.
d dhkFIE. ' %ESS Sanitary 9 +.
EDWIN D. MORGAN, Board Of Health.
ROBERT A. SANDS, If, -
JACOB r. OAKLEY, iai 5tt.,ls
New Yolx, June 8, 1S4o.
In reporting to the Sanitary Committee in relation
TO the eholers at present prevailing In our city the
gradually .xssndns among u.s. yet in its general
character 10 much mtlder than 1t when II visited
this eyn 1897 that it under the control Of
remedes and that the proportion Of deaths 10 smaller
hearts Of our .sDs To. d sns Of
The underignsd would also state, that whatev.r
opinions be- entertained in relation the abstract
question to whether the cholera Is Ia not con-
tsgous disease no evidence has appeared, thus far,
in single case been produced by oontagion; on the
contrary everything connected with its history proves
that Its origin and diffusion have been dependent upon
entirely different The simultaneous
Of In different and distant parts Of the city, be-
tween whom ne sort Of communication could be traced
tercourse with the sick In cholera hospital are
facts which establish this point beyond tho possibility
physician nurse ysiter Of our cholera been
known to contract the disease These facts should
dispel entirely from the minds Of our citizens ell fear
In attending their friends and relations who may be
attached with the disease and at the time dissi
pate whatever approximations may hitherto have ex-
listed In the public mind In relation to the establish
ment of cholera hospitals in any part Of city
called for by the demands Of necessity and humanity
exists in the atmosphere and that the whole commu
nifty at less under the influence Of
this peculiar condition Of the atmoephereand in this
predspssed to the disease. To deveope the dis
tase however. exciting necessary and these
are to be found in all those things which have ten
dency to disorder the bowels With regard to the Pc
culiar condition of the atmosphere which predisposes
to the disease, we know nothing Human skill and
agency, therefore, do nothing in meeting this diff
Guilty. The exciting causes the contrary, are In
great measure under our control, and by properly
guarding against these much very much may be done
ntvtat srnt Hnxo
JOSEPH M. SMITH, NJ. D. Medical Medical
SAM'L. w. MOORE, NJ ID. 0ounsei'
SETH GEER, NJ D., Resident Physician
RICH L. MORRIS, M. D., Health Commissioner
We think the foregoing very useful document, and
entirely concur in the doctrine Of non- sontAgen All
experience both in this country and in Europe goes
demonstrate Its truth We regret, however, that the
medical counsel. In reporting to the Sanitary Com
mittee have not touched upon two points which
appear to us Of the utmost Importance. They have
said nothing Of the flththe sbeminabls nlh Of the
city, that is sufficient Of itself to produce plague,
acting exciting cause Of this fearful disease
though the majority OF the have from those
parts Of the city that abound in putrd animal and
vegetable matter There Is another point OF great in
terest and Importance they have left untouched-i is
the mode Of treatment 1t is notorious that the mode
oftreatment adopted In private practice Is variable
to bring dissredit the faculty One set Of ply
sicans purgng the patients to death with large
doses Of eaoms another set adopt the very contrary
practice and sndeavor to arrest ct the discharge
from the bowels, at the same time giving small doses
Of ealomcl and opium. This latter il the practice
adopted in the hospital and generally In Europe Why
is 1t not universally followed here 1t be the best
treatment! why do the physicians not meet
body, and pass resolutions binding the minority to
adopt the treatment approved Of by the majority! II
Is no trning matter, where 80 many human lives
at stake, and the question ought not to b. left to
chance the caprice Of individuals There ought to
be treatment promulgated with authorlty for both
modes cannot be right. II is calculated to cure,
the other is certainly calculated to kill.