The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-07
CONSUL MAS0N's REPORT OF THE
EPIDEMIC AT TOULON
AND MARSEILLES.
Sketch of Natural, Artificial and
Sanitary Surroundings
The Consul's Views.
An Experience of Centuries in
the RaVages of Plaques
and PeStilenceS.
The Present Epidemic in Mar
seilles Laid to Imperfect
Sewerage, Etc.

| bdIJ u SGctG6 LIDS I0GtlNcu liOIl SOlSl1
Mason long report on the cholera
epidemic now prevailing at Toulon
and MarsellleS. The consul says, in
the report: "Both MarseilleS and
Toulon suffered terribly in the cholera
epidemic of 1865. During the nine
teen years that have elapsed since
then, Marseilles has been, in
several important respects, almost
rebuilt. Her pavements, her
sewerage system, her water supply
and method of cleaning the streets
and removing night soil, inspecting
and regulating the markets, her quar-
antine reg Ilat1ons and hospital facili-
ties are all probably unsurpassed in
excellence by those of any European
Or American city. The old quarters
of the city ofancient Marseilles, which
was scourged so sharply by the plague
in former centuries, has been
pierced with broad avenues;
streams of pure running water
flow down the cutters. The narrower
streets and alleys and pavements of
the principal thoroughfares are wash
ed and swept with care and fire.
quency which leaves nothing to be
desired. The terrible lesson of former
epidemicS has been well learned by
the municipal government, and loDg
before the first rumor OF trouble at
EoulOn, MarSeilleS was cleaned and
made ready for the summer heat.
But with all the intelligent liberal
ity which the city has evinced in the
construction Of her drainage system
there is an insurmountable difficulty
which all Mediterranean cities are
alike compelled to face. Their sewers
flow in tidelesS and generally placid /
sea. The harbor of Marseilles is al |
N ost entirely artificial. The old port |
is simply an estuary of small creek |
dredg9d out into large dock, with a |
narrow outlet, to the sea. The new |
ports are spacious harbors enclosed by |
miles OF breakWater and deepened |
to navigabIe depths by dredging |
and excavations. Into these en-
closed ports which extend along |
two-thirds of the shore front |
of the city the entire volume of sew
erage is poured; and, as there is only |
surplus of pure, fresh water of the |
city hydrants to dilute this turbid |
flow, and, as there is no tide to main |
tain circulation of sea water through
out the enclosed ports, the inevitable |
result is the latter grows foul and |
pestilent.
The same conditions unmitigated |
by equally careless sanitary measures |
prevailed at Toulon, and it is thought |
it was the dredging of a disused |
dock there during the months
of April and May. that develop
ed the seeds of the present |
epidemic at MarseiJles. The govern
ment relies solely upon the most rigid |
and searching enforcement of recog-
niZed sanitary measures. Dredging the |
ports has been stopped, and that
source of miasma, as far as possible, |
abated.
During the summer, since the out
break in Toulon, the whole city has |
been literally washed with water and |
diSinfectants used not once merely, |
but daily and nightly ;the markets were |
carefully inspected, and immense |
quantities OF stale and unripe fruit |
and vegetables were seized and des- |
troyed. Railway cars, stations, omni- |
buses and street cars, even hackney |
carriages fumigated, and the smell of |
chlorides, sulphates and corbollc acid |
is everywhere. In spite OF this, a |
number of deaths occurred in he |
cleanest and handsomest portion; Of |
MarseilIes.
The attack of cholera has been, this |
year, far more vigorous anu fatal than |
in the great epidemic of nineteen |
years ago, and all present Indications |
point to summer of gloom and suf
fering for the people of Toulon and |
Marseilles.
All that energy and science could
suggest, has been done but the pesti-
lence is here and defies restraint
The present situation may be sum-
married. as follows: The epidemic
which prevails at Marseilles and Tou-
Ion is Asiatic cholera, imported, be-
yond reasonable doubt, from Saigon,
China, by the French transport
Sarthe, to the port of Toulon. AT
first the disease was of the type medi-
cally classified as "Benign" but its
malignity has since increased and de-
veloped under the influence of the
continued hot weather.
In compliance with Instructions
from the department, this consulate
has ascertained from official sources
that no emigrants have recently left
either Toulon or Marseilles, by sea
for the United States. 1t should he
added, however. that few emigFants
for American ports ever embark here,
as steamers leaving Marseilles usually
touch at one or more Mediterranean
stations before leaving their final
point of departure. and emigrants
usually go by sail to this ultimate
point of departure to embark for the
United States. 1t is, therefore, respect
fully suggested that all vessels bring
ing emigrants or baggage to the Uni
ted States, from Bordeaux. Havre, or
any French port, not declared infect
ed, should be subjected to the most
careful sanitary regulations. Clean
bills of health have been refused at
this consulate, to all vessels clearing
for ports in the United States, since
the 10Th of June, and none such will
be granted until Marseilles is officially
| declared free from all contagion.