The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-31

The alarm about the possible spread OF
cholera in this country has now completely
subsidized Medical men may be appre-
hensiye, but the public are not. Yet there
may well be reason for alarm II THE opin-
ion Of a French savant, NJ. Tholozan. ex-
pressed before the Academy Of Sciences in
Paris is correct The supposition has here
tofore been accepted that the germs of
cholera come from India whenever there is
an outbreak in Europe, but NJ. TholoZan
maintains that the scourge is becoming
endemic in Europe, owing to the recurrence
of the disease and the germs being pre-
served for several years. There is some
evidence 10 support this contention in out
breaks In Spain and France, and possibly in
Russia and Germany tins year. The spread
of the disease may have originated In the
far East. but IL is obtaining a permanent
settlement in the countries 1t visits. It is
limited that the spread OF the disease next
year may be much worse than thiS--a very
dismal prediction for Russia and North
Germany. But the outlook is much worse
if cholera should obtain permanent settle
ment in Europe.
As Russia is the most ignorant country
in Europe the mind is prepared to accept
the most astonishing stories about the
proper methods of dealing with the cholera
1t does not shock US. therefore, TO read that
in a Siberian village "the elders and wise
men, after much deliberation, selected
twelve maideDs and ordered them 10 march
round the village at midnight twelve times
with torches in their hands. The girls wers
accompanied by twelve men, who, on the
completion Of each of the circuits of the
village, fired off guns, while the girls sang
some sort of incantation." This preventive
cure is apt TO spread the disease, as if it had
been designed TO propagate IL. Should the
IL in hC.l,, rfa
there will be no surprise IN western Europe.
and in the United States we must be pre-
pared to accept il with meek Iesig nation
at least after quarantine.
The term ''parcel post" is very elastic in
Great Britain. 1t seems to include the
transmission Of everything by mail except
high explosives. The express service of
other countries is practically superseded,
except In the matter of cheapness. Geese,
turkeys, fowls, game of any feathered kind.
may be forwarded by mail even without
packing. provided the feathers are dry.
But If the feathers are eff a canvass cover
ing is required. in order that other parcels
may not be soiled. Fruits, eggs, flowers,
shrubs and dwarf trees are similarly ac-
ceptable 10 the British Posto flee, but to
insure tender treatment and prompt deliv-
cry description Of the consignment, and,
should appear on the label But parcels
must not exceed 3 feet inches in length
nor feet in girth and length combined
The advantage OF this Government system
lies in the parcel post applying to the whole
United Kingdom at a uniform rate. A par
eel costs the same going from one end of
London to the other as from London to
Edinburgh or Dublin, or vice versa. The
great cities with numerous railroad faeili-
ties have no advantage over the meanest
village in England or in the wilds of Scot
land or Ireland.
Chicago has In one district fuel gas
system open to decided objections il fifty
deaths by asphyxiation can be traced to it
in one year. The fuel gas referred TO is
evidently not the carburetted hydrogen or
dnarily supplied from the mains, but the
odOrless gas obtained by passing steam over
incandescent iron in furnaces. The process
has been patented, and has some value, but
for household consumption Ii has the defect
OF producing an iluminant which may be
inhaled without giving any warning to the
senses, and which is just as deadly as
laudanum in inflictiDg death. In Chicago
II IS said the supply has lacked pressure in
the mains. 80 that those who have left jet
burning nj night find that tile liz hit goes out,
and that afterward the gas pours into a
room without combustion and unperceived.
10 render this gas perceptible to smell,
some odornus mixture requires TO be added,
and even that sometimes fails.
Speculation is active as to why there
should be so large an increase In the Ger
man army. Does it menace the peace of
Europe either east. west or south? There is
no apparent cause of disagreement with
Russia, and France. while Boosting of
strength. is quiet. A reason may be found
10 the weakened financial position of Aus
tria and Italy. They cannot DO forced to
increase their ornaments. 1t is also a