The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-06

pertaining exactly how this favorable re-
suit was attained. The plan Of action
was proposed by DR.. Gilbert: II was car
ried out by NJ. Louis Brindeau. the
mayor. aided by the sub-prefect. NJ.
Lardin de Musset, and the ether authori-
ties. On the mayor fell the principal
legal responsibilities. and 1t required. I'M
der the circumstances man OF nerve.
prompt decision and courage. Thirty-four
medical men were enrolled in the service
OF the municipality. Six police stations
were converted into sanitary posts.
Every medical man received strict or
ders to report all cases Of cholera TO the
nearest police station. Any one and
every one who might suspect the exist
ence OF a case of cholera was urged to
report the fact to the nearest police sta
ton. Eight doctors were attached to
these police stations. and had TO call at
the station at least once In every three
hours IL any case had been reported
they at once proceeded to the house. ac-
companed by a police agent. Should 1t
prove 10 be a genuine case OF cholera the
policeman at once went and telephoned
for the ambulance and for the disinfec-
tors
III very short time. sometimes in a
few minutes the ambulance was at the
door end the patient taken 10 the hospi-
tai. Immediately after the disinfecting
stove diove up and in it was placed the
bedding, soiled linen, etc, which was dis
infected by steam superhC ated under
pressure Thest stoves, manufactured by
Messrs Geneste & HcrscheT, are now used
throughout Europe and in many other
parts OF the world. The heat attained is
generally Us degrees CCntigrade. In the
room of the patient the disinfectors do
not burn sulphur. es is the general prac-
tice in England, but have an apparatus.
a sort Of hand-pump by which spray OF
considerable penetrating power is pro-
duced. With this they saturate the walls
and furniture with n mercurial solution.
This is all done by the police.
After that, the town architect comes
on the scene with another staff Of disin-
fectOrs. They remove the paper from the
walls, wash the walls and floor with
disinfectant. and whitewash the premises.
The architect reports on defects OF con-
struction. and also sees to the disinfec-
ton Of the drains. Nor is this all. For
the narrow streets. the courts and alleys,
the services OF the Fire Brigade were
brought to bear. With steam engine
and fire hose they flushed out the drains.
washed the outer walls and even the
roofs OF the houses. and sometimes in
troduced their hoses into the staircases,
which they drenched in a manner that
greatly startled the inhabitants. Never
had there been in the memory Of man
such scrubbing and such cleaning.
This is not all. Cholera is the result
of misery as well as Of dirt and bad
hygiene. The town opened its purse wide
for the relief of the poor. The State
and private charity helped. Soup
kitchens were organized in all directions.
While the houses of poor people were
being cleaned out and disinfected. the
inhabitants were taken off to a sani-
tarium. established in large dock shed
lent for this purpose by the chambers
Of commerce. On entering the people
were made TO strip and wash, clothes
were given to them. and their own
clothes dsinfected. In the sanitarium
they were fed and had beds provided
gratuitously. AS rule. they were even
allowed TO take away the clothes lent
them during tehir sojourn at the sani-
tarum. Indeed, so much was done TO
help those who were menaced by the
epidemic, that all manner Of vagabonds
began TO speculate on public charity
Poor person came from a considerable
distance to HaVre. and pretended TO be
distressed natives Of the town, so as 10
obtain relief But in little while in
quiries were instituted and these impos
tors weeded out. Such were the principal
measures instituted to combat the cpl
demic. They may be summed up briefly
by laying down as the first the compul-
sorry, and above all, the immediate nou-
fcation of all suspicious cases; the organ
izatiOn Of a staff of medical men, paid by
the municipality, 10 proceed at once TO
verify the cases; the immediate removal
of such cases to n special hospital, and the
prompt and thorough disinfection
of the clothes worn and the drains. ChOl- |
era must be treated exactly like a fire, |
and the same rapidity Of action displayed !
I'm securing the complete isolation Of the |
patient and the dislnfection Of his clothes, |
bedding. and the room or rooms likely TO |
be contaminated. All this must be done |
gratuitousy. The public must be made TO |
feel that they have nothing to lose in !
helping to combat the epidemic 1t is no |
use arguing that money spent in disinfec !
ton is money saved. Some are too poor, |
others are too ignorant or too selfish, to |
take these arguments to heart. Also. all !
such measures are essentially taken in the !
public interest, are to the advantage of |
the public as a whole, and should be paid |
for by the public
These principles have been well under
stood by the authorities at Havre. Many
years ago. for instance, they bought back
from a private company the wafer works
IF the town. The inhabitants of Havre
are no longer at the mercy OF private
company and its money interests for their
supply Of drinking water. The first ac-
ioa OF the town was TO place water at a
'heaper rate at the disposal of the people.
The water is now distributed in any house
1t the rate Of 100 litres per day for four
lollars a year; and there are fountains in
almost all the streets, where unlimited
Quantities of water can be obtained for
lOthing. To American travellers, who
axe the French steamers that cross from
Iavre to New York, this question Of the
water supply is OF the utmost importance
his water is brought to America; it is
trunk during the passage by all on board
IN its purity depends not only the health
f the person In the ship, but also Of the
ort where the ship casts anchor.
There has not been sufficient attention
aid TO the question of the water carried
rom country to country by the ships.
he danger is even greater with regard
D river and canal navigation than with
aspect 10 ocean going steamers. In Ger
many and in Belgium the cholera has
cen conveyed from place to place by
argos and the water on those barges.
his is a matter Of urgent Importance.
20 ship should be allowed to take on
GARD, TO town should be allowed TO de-
yer. anything but the purest water
fortunately the port OF HaVre answers
D these conditions. The water of Havre
captured at the springs of the lit
lie river known the st. Laurent. 1t !
brought in n closed acqueduct to the
own of Havre and delivered from the
Mains under a strong pressure. Though
OmeWhat CalCareOus and therefore hard