Saint Mary's beacon., 1892-09-01
Saint Marv's Beacon
PREVENTION AND RESTRICTION on
CHOLERA.
To Torn authorities, Local Boards
Of Health and the Public /:

Asiatic Cholera is advancing rap
idly along the great commercial
highways Of the East, and has al.
ready reached Western Europe.
There is yet plenty of time for tn.
disease to visit our shores before
cold weather, and it therefore be-
comes the duty Of the State Board
of Health TO call attention to the
best methods of preventing its in.
vasion.
BY reason Of the tide of immi.
grafton. cholera may at any time bt
brought to the larger cities OF this
country, and it is not improbable
that it may be introduced into any
inland town by some traveller, i'm.
migrant, or returning tourist, even
before it appears on the seaboard.
No locality can be regarded as safe
from menace so long as we receive
immigrants and travellers from in
fected districts.
Experience has demonstrated the
fact that cleanliness is the best pro.
lection against cholera. When once
introduced into q community It'd
rayages are most severe and most
fatal in the unsanitary localities,
while the maintainance of good hy.
gienic conditions contributes to les
sen its fatality. But even if there
were no danger from cholera. il
should be remembered that every
thing which is done in the direction
OF sanitary improvement benefits
the general health, reduces the
amount of sickness and lessons the
death rate.
An obvious duty rests at all times,
but more urgently at present, upon
those charged with the administra-
tion of public health affairs to take
such steps as may be necessary to
remedy any defects in existing san
itary conditions. With pure water
supply, great outbreak of cholera
would be next to impossible; with
q reasonably careful modes"
age disposal the risk from OF sew
wonld be greatly lessene nc disease
pure water, complete wh''e win
proper disinfectissS CLEANLINESS ana
.<E<4 d fhepecplsson only isolated
Gases could occur. To enforce
cleanliness only when the danger
is present is false and dangerous
proceeding, and has much the ap-
pearance of the comedy after the
tragedy.
The most prolific medium for the
spread of the cholera is, undoubt-
ly, the water supply. All public
supplies should be carefully locked
after by town and health authorities
especially in localities whore imper-
feet sewerage and draining render
such sources liable to contamina-
tion. Private wells and springs
should should be protected against
pollution, by cleanliness of sur
roundings and by promptly and
properly taking care of all the waste
matters of the household. The
powers of local health officers to
prevent the pollution Of water sup
plies are clearly defined, aud il any
resistance is offered immediate steps
should be taken to show offenders
that the public good is paramount
to individual notions.
Within the domain of the house
hold the opportunity of doing much
for both public and private protec-
ton is very great. Good ventila'
tion, pure water, substantial aud
healthfnl food, scrupulous neatness
about the premises, personal clean
illness, regular hours and habits, in
fact. every factor which contributes
towards perfect health are the
strongest barriers against cholera.
II the disease should unhappily
reach our shores and become prev
alent in our midst. it is important
for every one to remember that he
is responsible for doing his share in
warding Off the common enemy.
Cleanliness and courage are h'
strongest tcsapoRs against cholera
6Hh aud fear are the the rsry rOrsf
Avoid panic. Fewer persons fal
victims to cholera than to either
typhoid fever. diphtheria or choler'
infantum. IL We did our best K
prevent these diseases there would
be little danger from Asiatic chole
"a. With popular cooperation
to diminish the constant slaughter
from other zymotic diseases, there
would be no occasion for popular