Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-08-12
SPREAD OF THE CHOLERA AND sAEI-
TARY REFORM.

1t seems incredible that the report of the
dispatches regarding the cholera panic in
Northern Italy can be true. Itissad so great
is the alarm that parents have fed leaving
their children uncared for. The wild beasts
of the forests will not thus desert their young
in the hour of danger. But the cholera
has terrors for men that seem to unseat
reason and blot out every humane instinct
The late abatement Of the cholera has been
followed by well known characteristic of
the epidemic-renewcd virulencc 1t is
now spreading in Europe with amazing
rapiditY; physicians are agreed that i'll its
effects il is more horrible and deadly than
In any former visitation Evidently the
epidemic has passed beyond the control of
the health authorities IL has reached
Lyons, swept through southern France
into northern Italy, ovcrleNpcd the rigid
military quarantine and barrier on the Dor
der has crossed To Algicrs, and will I'M
questionabiy spread throughout the whole
south Mediterranean coast. A vessel has
reached Havana and been placed in quar-
there occurred thirty cases Of cholera and
twenty Of the stricken died. This brings
the disease very near home 10 us. There
are fOur months yet in which the plague
may invade the country; when il
broke out first in California it was
Is late rs October. There is every
reason, therefore. to push the work of sani-
tary inspection with vitor. We cannot
afford to take chances. II is lamentable
fact that ignorance, superstition and rank
prejudice are throwing up barriers in the
way Of the health officials. 1t is known to be
a fact, that few insane and foolish people
have absolutely attempted TO rouse class
prciudices, and have declared that the
officials are attempting 70 prosecute the
people Of one nationality in enforcing
health regulations. A more prepOsterous
and insane idea never entered into human
conception. But these things must bc ex-
pected. The people, in the meantime, who
know thatitis just and right 20 compel A to
b. clcaniy about his premises, that Il,
WHOSE house and lot arc properly kept,
may not suffer 10y As neglect or refusal,
must stand by the health officers and up
hold their hands. There never was q hap
pier plan hit upon. than that of District
Citizens Committees Ia aid tho sanitary in
spectcrs. They have been towers OF
whenever assailed. II the work goes on as
now begun, this city. in common with San
Francisco, will soon toe placed in such a
condition as to render any assault by any
epidemic comparatively weak. There must
beno haltesingi in the good work, but renewed
vigo7, and still greater CELEBRITY of action.
There should at once be an increase Of the
force Of inspectors; the three mon have not
vet gone over onc-sixth Of the city. Ono
problem is the abatement Of that abOmin-
able nuisance Chinatown. With but - few
exceptions every house in it Is a pest
breeder. The people have a right 90 be
protected against them. The arm of author
ity is not certainly 50 tied up with red tape
and poor law, that it cannot be stretched
forth at once. If it shall so prove how
ever, there is reason 10 fear that indigDa-
ton viii oYerleap duty, and serious trouble
will result. For the sake Of the city's credit,
the honor Of the community and common
humanity this should be avcrted. Yet
every thoughtful citizen knows it to he the
simple truth. that if dangerous epidemic
disease should reach this State, no man
would be so insane as to insure the perms-
nency for single day of the iilth-reeking
tenements of the Chinese quarter. The re-
suit would be greater difficulty in purify
ing the grounds thin now presents