, 1865-09-08

" Y JhC l. ~ fSiLIdi iiLl i NV :
Above all, is il not simply monstrous
that no place of isolation ~houli bc pro-
cured for so contagious and fatal a disease,
but that the general hospital should be
used for this purpose, and a room select
Ell therein Immediately aAioining the main
gatemay, through mhich pahjrMts constantly
pass from, anu TO all parts Of the Torn and
Country, by whom the infection may thus
be disseminated broadcast over the Island;
and which, being situated likewise imme-
diately under the windows of the Militia
ry department, must also expose the SOL
diers 10 infection?
Is it TO be wondered at that the people,
knowing the want OF care that exists, are
most unwilling that their friends should
be carried to such a place, and therefore
endeavnr, by every metnS, to conceal
the existence of the disease SO much so
that there seems 10 be good grounds tor
very strong suspicion that several cases
have been successful ly concealed IN the
Town whereby of course greater danger
to the community is cngrndcred?
And who, Mr., Editor, is responsible
for all this / do not pretend, or Ven
ture, to answer this question; but Ger
tainly whoever the responsible larty may
be, he is in no very envlable position.
Let me however protest against any has
ty or unjust Judgment on so delicate u
point. Some are inclined to lay the
blame on our local health Officer | am
far from being of that number. 1t should
be remembered that his authority / such
a matter is not final, that on The contrary
he has only the power of recommending
proper measures, which it rests with
Others to put into execution. This, his
duty, | believe he has repeatedly and
faithfully performed aud my own coufi-
dence in his excellent judgment, and
earnest deSire to do always what is for
the public good, couviuces me that The
onus in this matter rests entirely with
others.
And, as the final question, what can be
the motive win which The common pre-
cautions necessary to project the conmu-
nifty from the ravages of this dreadful
scourge, are omitted? 1t is whispered to
be ec0n0my. 1t is said, we understand,
that if a separate hospital Is proyIicd f04
this disease, the same thing must be done
WheneVersuch other contagious diseases as
scarlet fever &c. make their appearance
among us, aud that this would be toe
great and unreasonable Il dram on the
public Treasury. But surely The greater
viruIence and deadlInrss of this disease
makes it an exception in this respect
and if this is really the motive by which
this matter has been regulated, then, in
the name of the Taxpayers, who surely
have the best right to he heard on such a
subject, let me protest against such in
human, and false economy as This. Eco
Monty, or the greatest possible reduction
in our present enormous public expendi-
ture, is undoubtedly the first rpquiSit" to
the financial prosperity flour Island bul
in the name of all that is really polite
in the name of all that is hum,ne-Iet
that economy commence in the manifold
quarters where it can he advantagecu<Iy
and justly applied, and not with that
which s" deeply involves the very lives
and happiness of all C asses of our com
munlty, as does the spread of this loath-
some disease among us.
| an, Mr.. Editor,
Your obedient Servant,