The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-07

boon tho Same. The Western Continent has
never escaped. In 1S49. In 1896. and in 1873
the scourge OF Europe became tho scourge
Of America There is no reason to suppose that
cholera will not knock at our doors now. Our
hope lies in tho immense gain In efficiency In
our quarantine service since the last vista
ton. and in the increased efficiency OF our To-
cal health authorities.
The danger has been recognized both In
England and the United States. The last
numbers OF the great British medical journals.
whose conservatism is universally recognized.
have contained considerable discussions Of
the subject. and have advised tho adoption OF
prompt and efficient defensive measures. The
medical journals on this side OF the Atlantic
have followed in the same vein.
Very lately Supervising SurGeon-General
Wyman OF the Marine Hospital service sent
communication to the Secretary OF the Treas
ury. asking that the Government mako sre-
cial preparations to meet the plague In case it
appears. In his letter lie said
"A serious matter for consideration Is tho
baggage OF immigrants arriving at the port OF
New York coming directly from the infected
districts or from districts contiguous thereto.
Under the present arrangement the baggage
OF all immigrants passes without detention
through New York to points Of destination.
being notified when this baggage comes from
suspected localities. have now to urge that
the baggage OF tho kind just mentioned DO
thoroughly disinfected on Ellis Island before
being permitted to be sent forward. For this
purpose there should BIO two or three large
steam disinfecting chambers established. for
which there Is ample room on the island. and
would respectfully urge that steps be immo-
diately taken for the establishment OF such q
plant"
He also sent out circular to surgeons In
charge OF quarantine stations on the Atlantic
| and Gulf coasts ordering that no vessel from
ports through which cholerh can reach us be
| passed without special distinction after pre-
scribed methods. Meantime he has asked the
Secretary OF State to cable Consuls In the az
fected districts directing them to publish the
| fact that rigid disinfecHon will be enforced nj
our ports. and to discourage shipments by all
lawful methods The local Board OF Health o
this city is also maxim: preparations.
| Such precautions against II plague which IL
| MS yet scarcely nearer to us than tho opposite
side OF the globe may seem needless to many
| whose information is gathered from the dis
| connected cable reports In tho daily papers
That they arc warranted by the situation
however. is fully shown by tho history OF the
present and OF past eridemics OF cholera
THE HOME OF CHOLERA.
There Is always cholera In India. 1t begar
there before history. and has become verl
Part OF the land and the civilization. Its seet
is In tho earth. and Its breath Is In the air. III
sway is undisputed by the swarming people
who lilo down at its coming and die withou
effort or protest against their fate. The no
sun and the humid. feverish atmosphere hav'
much to do with its unchecked presence ant
occasional violent outbreaks. but the civiliza
tion Of the land does more. Superstition ant
uncleanliness prevail to nm almost unbeliev
able extent. The cities and towns OF the In
dian hills are undrained. unwatered. and hlthy
The people live In state OF degradation whicl
appeals moro strongly to the nose even than t.
the eye. Under such conditions the plague
thrives and fattens upon unnumbered victims
Travelling Is done by caravans. which. II
themselves, are hotbeds OF disease. and sprea'
1t far and wide. The hordes OF pilgrims which
yearly sock the sacred cities. marching II
struggling armies OF thousands upon thou
sands, serve to propagate and spread
it; Lastly. the great fairs and festivals
visitors from the pttermost parts OF india m,
from Persia. Afghanistan;,o and nelgh6orln'
sIs pttSR s SrsSt fsas
Jusg efnaus and Hurdwar. which occur at in
n OF twsySS million nd pe STs
can't can't fact that each Of tho greater epl
aS%es ons Sn,fn N tSs soSo have
mated wh ssva 3ne wef Ss hesea
reached re- US si in 1852 began. 50 Violent was t6
e d s1 ssoua
dragged around for lack Of able Lea, men. It, TIL
which reached us 10 asgS ressiss
the same festival began the present epidemic