The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-11-10

corrupt atmosphere, however obnoxious other. :.
wise. will not produce the disorder. But, II
the germs be present, defectiye drains and
cesspools become the potent distributors of
disease and death. Corrupted cir may pro-
mote an epidemic, but cannot produce it, On
the other hand, through the transport OF the
special germ or virus, disease may develop
itself in regions where the drainage Is good
thistle growing In your field, you feel sure
that it's seed has been waited thither. just
as sure does 1t seem that the contagious mat
ter Of epidemic disease has been transplanted
to the place where it newly appears"
"There is nothing in pure chemistry which
resembles the power OF self-multipltcatlo
possessed by the matter which produces
epidemic disease. Ii yon SOW wheat you 90
not get barley; II you SOW smallpox you 90
ly multiplied and nothing else; and may
add, II you SOW bilious fever you do not get
yellow fever. "The matter Of each contagious
disease reproduces itself as rigidly as il it
were cat or dog.
The town of Natohez is another conspicu-
Gus example Of the immunity afforded by an
absolute quarantine. With the disease rag
ing at Vlcksburg. Port Hudson and many
other towns on the Mississippi river, Natchez
with her rigid quarantine has not had o case.
Every condition that applied to Yicksburg
would apply to Natchez, save that Vicksburg
allowed steamboats, with yellow fever patients
to land, and Natchez would not. But though
tIlpBSbOH ttnu tt6 pbDple Vi lb&hS uHVp GIuS5
for congratulation at the success Of their
quarantine in keeping out infection this
year, as one who has had some expert
ence in the board of health, and after
having witnessed the gratifying results from
the policy Of total non-intercourse with in-
fected cities, do not hesitate to declare that
our present system is defective to great de-
gree, and / would gladly hail the change from
such quarantine as Is now enforced by the
authorities OF Galveston, to policy Of total
non-intercourse with foreign gulf, West In
dia and South American ports, from May un-
til November enforced by the national gov
ernment. Local boards of health cannot al
ways be depended upon to keep out Infection.
They are liable in the interests OF commerce,
and with the best intentions, to commit mis-
takes, which may prove fatal to the lives of
the people. The only absolutely safe policy
Is non-intercOurse for certain months, en-
forced by the power of the general govern
ment. 1t Is the duty of that government to
and greed OF making money, by trading with
infected countries, and in infected goods,
should be SO far restrained by the govern
ment as to be powerless in the future to
spread SO much suffering and death among
the people Of the South and West.
True medicine should now strip herself Of
all mere pretenses to cure this disease, and
stand boldly forward to declare as higher
philosophy it's prevention. In the doctrine of
prevention medicine would take all the world
with her. In this respect science would be in
advance Of legislation, and that is her true
place-the pioneers place. Legislation will
surely follow whore science leads the way,
and points to prevention as the only absolute
relief from this incurable agent, so potent for
evil. L. G. FISHER.
Galveston. October 10, 1873