The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-09-08
The Cholera.

While it is manifestly unwise and wrong
to unduly excite the popular apprehension
on such topic As this, it is nevertheless a
mistaken preeaution that ignores its dis
cussion entirely. Good advice. timely
precaution, personal attention to common
sanitary rules, will have a beneficial effect
upon the community. From all the intel
ligence to be had, it may be seen that the
pestllence is making its slow but sure way
toward the West 1t originated as be-
fore, in the burning plains of India, when
the people, weakened by famine, were un-
able to resist its influence With the
trains OF tanatical devotees which tray
ersed the deserts, and came to offer wor-
ship at the shrine Of the false Prophet, it
came into Egypt. There is something
impressive in the progress of
these swarthy pilgrims, men, women and
children moving across the arid wastes,
while the shadow of the destroying angel
hung over and gathered around them. or
followed in their path with remorselesS
persistence. In Alexandria. in Cairo. in
Const;lntinoplc. in the sacred city itself.
they fell in mcounted thousands. and from
their unburied bodies the peStilence stalked
forth anew. After some weeks the poison
that surcharged the air moved on. In
Alexandria and lis vicinity the number of
deaths abated. In July the violence of
the disease was extraordinary in the vii
laseS of the BoSphoruS it moved west
ward and was manifested in Malta. Sicily
and Italy. 1t run the quarantine and
prevailed in Catania and Palermo. 1t
rlotei in the hot. blazing sun that pour>
down into the streets of MarseilleS. and
took now and then a lazy sailor in the
ports OF Spain. Now we are told that
the peculiar influence that Is recognized "a
the vanguard OF cholera Is prevalent in
England. Diseases of the bowels. more
malignant IN form. approximate TO the
greater disease. Victims fall III the crowd
ed towns-the poor. the i'll fed, the i'll
temperate seem to be in peculiar danger
Towns famous for cleanliness congratulate
their citizens that they are we'll prepared
and hope Tor exemption. Cities infamous
for neglect take the poor comfort of think
in@ that in spite OF all precautions the foe
makes hl- assaults in the most unexpected
quarters.
I'VE feel sure. saws the London Times.
THAT if the cholera comes this way. no
quarantine. no dctcn>ion>. no iumi.atiom.
10 lines OF 'icmarc,tion will keep it out
The disease will appear in many different
places al once. many mile, from one an
other. and all far away from the tradition
al sailor landed at ROthcrnithe. We
well remember the sporadic appearance OF
the disease all over England in 1852. in
villages, in situations high and dry. 81
lected for health, i'll par,onagc> wher.
contagIon and infection Were impo>>ibili-
ties
Such statements ;,> this do not convey
the whole truth. Il cannot be denied that
the greatest raNages oi cholera hnye taken
place amid dense Populations. where o,.ni-
tary precautions, are neglected and the
physical condition OF the people waS ~
bad az ii could he. When We consider
how many among those tina; have ample
means live in open neglect of all wise pre-
cautions. and triie with health as though
it We're 4 thing of little value. we shall
see that the numbers dying among the
classes in better circumstances can consti-
tute no just exception to the rule.
Although the present epidemic has not
visited Russia and Poland. we have no
reason to suppose that lis usual course
will be further vlriel, by not visiting
America. Under the circumstances.
therefore, 1t Is every mans duty to take
what reasonable precautions he NAV.
Without waiting tor the slow action OF
boards of health, ii should he the busi-
ness of every citizen i'll town or country
to secure cleanliness about his house an;
his place oi business; if the removal of 4
nuisance requires the united action OF scy-
eral, or il ii can only be reached by LEGAL
means. let such means be re>ortcd to with
out delay. Reform in this. us in all Other
cases in which it is called for. should he.
Gin at home. If the cholera should pas.
by or stop short of us, such labor woufj
be by no means useless II ii comes. W,
should meet ii without morbid fear, an,
having discharged both il private obliga
ton and u public duty, trust the event il
the hands OF God-Botou .journuL