The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-16

SPREAD OF CHOLERA.

1t is unsafe to attach implicit credit to all
the dispatches concerning the cholera. II
the latest reports from Paris are TO be be-
lieved, the epidemic has made a leap from
Astrachan to the French capital. fifty de-
grees Of longitude, without striking any in
termediate point. We're this SO, quarantine
would seem to be of little value il it were
not true that individuals might convey the
disease. The idea OF germs being carried in
the air cannot be rccOnciled with scientific
opinion, nor does it tally with the recorded
accounts of previous vistations of the dis
ease. 1t will probably turn out that the
Paris cases are cases of cholerine, though
the Madrid faculty declares that they are
not. A disease closely resembling Asiatlc
cholera in many Of its features always pre-
walls in large cities. 1t is only by its sud-
den spread that it is identified with the
Asiatic pestilence Still. Paris is taking
measures of precaution, and is erecting
cholera hospitals in the suburbs. with all the
modern improvements. Attention is espe-
cially directed to the water drunk by the
people.
In the cradles Of cholera in Hindostan
people get their water from siagnant pools
in which the sewage is discharged. The
first cases reported in Paris occurred in An
tains water from the Seine just below
point where ffty-two sewers empty their
contents. 1t is stated that on examination
this water is found to contain 81, 900 bacteria
to the cubic centimeler. The city authoTi-
ties are discussing the subject with a view
TO the establishment of new water works
supplied from springs uupolluted by sew
age, but the damage, if any comes, will be
done long before the new works can be In
operation. y few years ago London was
terrified by the announcement that the
Thames was polluted. and that L0udoners
were drinking diluted sewage" but an
official analysis of the water showed that IL
was pure after il had been filtered.
The severe mortality which is occurring
in the Russian provinces bordering on the
Caspian has led to the usual disturbances.
At Astraehan The workmen broke out in
revolt, murdered the hospital doctors and
burned the hospital Some crank started
the story that milk was a sure cure for the
disease, and numbers who drank ii fell
victims to the disease. Again at SaratOv,
which is considerable town on the Volga,
the same class rose, destroyed the hospitals,
killed some Of the doctors and proceeded
with the work of destruction until troops
arrived on the scene and dispersed the mob
with repeated yolleys. Wherever q pesti-
jence breaks out among an ignorant people
mobs, maddered by fear and terrOriZed by
the presence Of death, resort to violence.
Every one rtmemDe the shocking Incl
dents Of The cholera epidemic in Spain a
few years ago. Tie authorities had nearly
as hard work TO suppress the mObs as the
disease.
Doctors agree that cholera germs are
carried from place to place in the clothing
and baggage Of travellers. That was shown
10 be the case in this country in 1919
Hence the stories, which are not authenti-
Gated, Of eases appearing at the seap0rts of
Asia Minor and at Brindisi. In Italy, may
be founded on fact. The surgeon-general
OF the Hospital Bureau of the United States
IS acting upon the theory, and has procured
from the Treasury Department an order re-
curing the disnfection Of all vessels com
ing from infected countries before cargo or
passengers can be landed ar any port in the
United States. Two or three vast disin-
feCting chambers are being provided on
Ellis Island, in the harbOr of New York,
and in these il is proposed to subject the
baggage and clothing Of immigrants to a
process Of steam dsnfection. The whole
process, including the laundrying OF the
clothing. only takes a hours. When 1t has
been completed it is assumed that no bac-
terra can be carried on shore from the vessel
treated. The weak spot in the system is
the difficulty of ascertaining what countries
are infected. 1t is very simple TO qGaran-
tine travellers from Astrachan or Baku. but
ii the cholera is in Paris shall all passengers
from France be ordered into the disnfect-
Ing cham bers?