Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-11-23
RUTLAND HERALD.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1865.
The Cholera.

Surgeon General Thayer has recently
>ade a communication to Mayor Catlin
At Burlington concerning the cholera
and the means necessary TO be used by
she authorities to guard against Its APP
nroach. The communication is timely, |
and abounds in excellent suggestions,
which, although intended more particu'
laylv for Burlington, we think viii apply
with nearly equal force to many other
places in the State.
We give below the material portions
OF the communication. We learn that
In nearly all the large towns of Massa-
chusetts, the people are making diligent
preparations for the approach of this
unwelcome visitor. Are the people in
this State doing all that a wise forecast
would dictate to avert or mitigate the
impending evil
aa STATE OF VERMONT, }
eFPIcB OF THE SURGEON GENERAL,
Montpelier, Nov. 2, 1865.
TSlHS Honor, Albert L. Catlin, Mayor Of
Burlington
RI have the honor to transmit to
YOU a copy of "a State Documents con-
corning Asiatic Cholera" and most res
pectfully to invite your attention to the
subject.
We will not discuss the contagiousness
of the disease as communicated from
person TO person. Although we hold In
hiph estimation the authors OF the
trans Atlantic communications, we most
respectfully disagree with them in
! the opinions therein expressed, and
consider the publication and wide spread
distribution of such opinions from such
sources, to be productive of great inju-
nv, by exciting the fears of the people,
inducing the disease, and interfering
with the proper care of the sick.
Cholera, IN its westward course, is
rapidly approaching this continent, and
In a few months more may be sweeping
over this country more fatal and wide
spread than ever before.
.. Although heretofore all quarantine
regulations, however perfect and thor
oughly enforced, have failed in arresting
the onward progress Of cholera, much
very much has been done to limit its ex'
tent and mitigate it's severity.
Two conditions are necessary for the
development and prevalence of cholera,
D. without both of which the disease can
not originate nor continue.
First, Cholera Seea.-A peculiar pesti'
lential condition of the atmosphere, SC
mysterious and subtle in its character
that science has failed to define 1t or de
tect its presence. 40.
Second, Cholera SoR.-Filth of persons
and places, and impure air. "a.
With the first it is useless to contend
lit is beyond our control, like wave
it moves here and there onward from
east to west, from country to country
city to city, and across oceans from one
continent to another, taking root wher
ever is found soil suited to its develop
ment and growth, there to yield the
harvest of death. u'
The second cause Of cholera which
without the first would he .s""pa,"
tlveIy powerless in producing that In
q stead Of other diseases, is, to certall
b extent, under our control, and 1t Is II
that direction our efforts should b
promptly and energetically made, AM
In way to afford to our citizens abso
lutte immunity from the disease.
q In considering this subject my atter
OF sion has been directed to the sanitar
'gd condition of several Of the larger town
CO. of this State, and l find the soil pr
)h pared, and by unmistakable odors, il
q viting the pestilence to come and brin
forth its fruit.
The communication closes with q
M earnest request that the Authorities a
a point a Health Officer, who shall be a.
thorized and required to make a tho
y ough inspection and report at an ear
y date, with such suggestions and recoi
'o nendations as are in his opinion nece
no sary for the public safety.