The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-11-23
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1884.
Measure. for Warding on Cholera.

Az the conference OF physicians and SAM
.arians which WIS held here last week to
discuss measures for preventing cholera
epidemic, resohticns were passed urging q
rigid inspection by United States agents
abroad ui persons, baggage, md cargoes on
vessels sailing for the United States, and q
vigilaut quarantine Mt all our domestic ports.
This action was taken because, in order to
ward of cholera. we must first and mainly
rely on the efficiency Of the means adopted
TO prevent lts importation into this country
The sanitary precautions OF the local Boards
VI Health are important also, but they are OF
only secondary value Experience, too, has
proved that we have hitherto had complete
SUCCESS in avoiding cholera epidemic by n
rigid quarantine, With that precedent be-
iore liz wo ought not to allow any general
spread Of tho disease next year, although
here and thore single cases may occur which
the Boards Of Health can deal with SO that
thoy shall! not bc more than sporadic.
In the early part of 1871 cholera rcappeared
IN eastern Europe, and gradually extended
westward. As soon us our health officers
heard OF its presence In st. Petersburg meas
ures for roltectiDg the system Of quarantine
were adopted, and the sanitary condition Of
Now York was looked after with especial
care. The result was that the deaths from
cholera Ia TIC city numbered only six for the
entire year
The waning ~ the possible and probable
approach. - the disease has been much more
iinprea sive this year than it was then. Since
The appearance If cholera on the Mediterra-
rran coast both at Quarantine and In the
Health department there has been q con-
slant watch for imported eases, and although
none hos been found in the city, the recent
spread OF tie epidemic to Paris has stimu.
lated aud justified renewed vigilance.
The conference Of which we hayo spoken
encourages TIA" expectation that there will
hc concerted efforts or the part OF all quar-
ant!ne UihGors al home and of representa-
tivcs OF the Government abroad to protect
us against the importation of the disease ;
aud meantime every local Health Board is on
its guard against its coming. Under such
circumstances there /. good reason to hope
that tn. experience Of 1871 will 10 repeated
In 1885,
AT the same time the European Govern
mcnts Will not tc less active in applying
prompt measures to prevent tho dreaded
peStilence next year. 1t Is true that the
problem before them is much more difficult
than our own for cholera has already gained
a footh"id there, and will be moro readily
carried from one State to another than it
can DO brought into this country, to which it
must be imported from across the sea. But
up to the present ii has not been general
European epidemic having boen confined TO
comparatively few districts and towns, and
those the ones most likely to invite its stay
because Of their poor sanitary condition
In Paris. where it has so lately appeared,
II has not started great epidemic. and the
cases ci cholera have been found only in
quarters OF the capital which dctled the laws
OF cleanliness and health. England has re-
manned free from it, and we observe no indi-
cations that there is great alarm in that
country az 10 Il cholera visitation next year.