The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-09-22
TEE DREADED SCOURdEE.
An Interesting Address Thereon by
DR.. w. R. CIuness.
He Tells OF the History and Progress
OF Cholera-How to Avoid 1t,
and Its Treatment.

DR.. w. r. Cluness, member of the
State Board of Health, delivered an adj
dress at the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION rooms last night, at which a
large number of young men were pres
ent, on the subject, Cholera, and How to
Prevent It's
The doctor was introduced by Felix
Tracy in few brief remarks, who COM
plimented him by stating that those
present were fortunate in hearing one of
the best authorities in the State on sub
ject of great significance. Mr.. Tracy also
stated that fifteen young men, members
of the association, have volunteered to
aid and assist the health officers in case
of need.
DR.. Cluness made the topic very in
teresting one, and at its conclusion he
was heartily applauded and congratu-
lated. He stated at the close Of his re-
marks that he would gladly answer any
questions upon the subject, and re-
sponded to number, giving many valu-
able suggestions bearing upon the Symp-
toms, prevention and cure OF the dreaded
disease. He said:
I'VE have assembled this evening at
the suggestion OF Mr.. Spears, General
Secretary of the Young Mems Christian
Association, to talk over the question ofthe
cholera, to give you our views as to the
probability OF It's reaching the Pacific
Coast, to instruct you how to prevent it
and how to treat it should it unfortunately
secure foothold amongst us. The prob
abilities are, however, that most of you
are familiar with the subject, for the cur
rent literature of the day has contained
about all that is known, and those of you
road
what has been said know about as much
as do regarding it. But eternal vigilance
being the price of liberty we cannot be
too often, or too forcibly, impressed with
the necessity of watchfulnesS from the
tower. The enemy is wary, the prize is
worth his best efforts, the season most
opportune for an attack, and you may
depend upon it you are in imminent dam
ger of being caught mapping.
But let me tell you very briefly how
rapidly cholera has travelled during the
present epidemic. May Sth it broke out
actively at kashmire, Hindostan; June
4th it reached Askabad, after traversing
Afghanistan. Thence IL travelled west
ward along the TranscaSpian Railway
TO Baku, which it reached June 9th.
Thence along the transcaucasian railway
to Tifiis, June Goth. June Goth it reached
Astrakan, at the mouth Of the Nolga,
whence it was conveyed by steamship to
kasan. August 9Th it reached Moscow,
not far from the center of Russia, and on
the 18th it reached ST. Petersburg, stu
ated, as you know, at the eastern eX-
tremity of the Gulf Of Finland. an arm
of the Baltic Sea.
'From Russia it was doubtless con-
veyed by immigrants to Germany (al-
though this has been denied), locating it
self, in accordance with its previous his
tory, in Hamburg. Thence it spread
rapidly to Havre and other maritime
ports of France, Holland and Belgium
having daily steamship communication
with English ports. August 18th two
cases were reported to have been brought
to Glasgow, Scotland, and on the follow
ing day deaths occurred at Gravesend,
Swansea, Glasgow and Dundee, towns in
England, Wales and Scotland. August
3lst the Moravia, from Hamburg, arrived
in New York harbor with cholera on
board, twenty-five deaths having oc-
Cured from the disease during her voy-
age of thirteen days. September 18th the
authorities of New York City acknowI-
edged its presence amongst them, and
there can be no doubt that it has been
slowly spreading since the 9th, the date
on which the first suspected case
was discovered on shore. Thus it
will be observed cholera has followed
the lines of railway, river and ocean
navigation in accordance with its invaria-
bile habit And thus you are confronted
Will q hhONISdSt VI Vic ldCI IldI Sluc0
May Sth cholera has travelled from it's
home, its eternal abiding place on the
sacred Ganges in far-off India, westward
through Hindostan, through Persia, max
ing a slight detour nortnward through
Russia, but again taking its original course
until 1t reached Germany, Holland, Bel
GUM, the British Isles, and even the met
'ropolis of America. And now we upon
lthe western border of our fair land al
though still 5000 miles from the point at
which it has gained entrance to our coun-
try, have met to devise ways and means
for its prevention, if possible, it's treat
,lnenu and the amelioration of it's dire eff
,'fects if necessary.
Optimism, the doctrine that God has
ordered all things in nature for the best,
and that Whatever occurs Is Tor the good
of mankind, is well enough in it's way;
but God never intended that his last and
highest creation should make no effort to
prevent impending danger, or that he
should remain passive when the spoiler,
death, like stern trident on his heartlcss
errand, was stalking around and knock
ing at our doors, eager to rob us of life
and the store of our hopes. No, no! A
thousand times no! God helps those who
try to help themselves. We have been
violating Gods laws, and therefore has
He sent us message warning US of ap-
preaching danger.
Far be it for me to play the role of an
alarmist; but | do desire to say that a
deadly plague is rapidly approaching us,
and that it will be little short OF a miracle