The morning call., 1892-09-09
TIE BATTLE WIN THE PLAGUE.

The battle with the cholera RACES with
the ebb and flow Of battle between armies.
Zach days news brings something by way
OF comfort. but likewise something that
quickens alarm. Il is much that the wall
which has been erected at the New York
quarantine should have thus far kept the
disease out of New York City, but not so
agreeable TO observe that new cases and
several deaths continue to occur daily on
the vessels detained of Hoffman Island.
From Eul ope the news is not as comforting
as might be wished. The cholera has evil
IDENTIFY secured a foothold in Paris. and is
growing worse at Havre. There IS no I'M
provement at Hamburg. A case Is reported
in London; the patient apparently con-
JTacted the disease at Havre.
Perhaps the most valuable Of the recent
contributions to the literature Of cholera is
the interview with DR.. Vrchow, published
in the New York Herald. Professor Viz
chow will be remembered as the surgeon
who attended the late Emperor of Germany
in his last Illness and who had the famous
controversy with Sir Morell Mackenzie. He
is a man of vast knowledge and experience.
He says, without reservation, that cholera
cannot be transmitted through the air."
excretion, or with the breath, or with soiled
hands, or soiled linen, boots and shoes. In
other words there must be actual contact or
close proximity with cholera patient for
disease germ to reach a person who is in
good health. Ii there be no such contact
or proximity the disease cannot pass. The
doctor illustrates this theory by observing
that if a quarantine could be made hermeti-
belonging to an infected person could pos
sbly break through the barrier, the cholera
could not get into a city protected by the
quarantine. OF course so heTmetical quar-
aRtine could not be established.
It is for the doctors to decide whether
Virehow is right or not. There is a pretty
general belief that cholera 'ean be trans
mitted through the air." perhaps not for
great distances. but still from town to
town and village to village. It is difficult
TO explain the advance Of the present epi.
demic from tie shore of the Caspian TO St.
Petersburg except on that theory 1t is not
known what DR.. Virchow's opinions are on
the subject of bacteriologY. but the faculty
8s a rule hold that there is a cholera germ
which floats in the air in places which are
infected. and which is carried in the atmos-
phere TO other localities. The germ is OF
course more abundant in the vicinity of
cholera patients and their clothes than In
places where cases have not occurred. But
the doctors do not generally hold with Vir-
chow that actual contact with the patient
or with objects which have been in actual
contact with him is necessary TO cause in
feetioD, but nothing is known.
Our boards of health in this State are
wise in pointing out that here the danger
VIII come from the East. There was one
instance when the cholera reached San
Francisco from Panama; but on this occa-
sion, If the epidemic breaks out there. we
shall lrobably suspect the steamship SER
vice between this port and the isthmus
That would leave US the railroad routes
only to guard. Of these there are several.
railroad enters the State at Yuma, and
another at Cisco. But the California and
Oregon line connects with the Union and
the Northern Pacific, which carry passen-
gers and goods into Portland. and steamers
connect with the Canadian Pacific at Van
cOuyer. At all these points barbados
would have to be raised to be effectual. In
deed the cushions and carpets of a sleeping
car are just as likely to carry disease germs
as the clothing Of infected travellers; so
that the quarantine to serve would have to
exclude the train bodily.
The subject is one that will bear good
deal OF investigation. A defeat OF the cpl
demic in the bay of New York this year by
10 means guarantees the country against its
return next year if it continues to rage in
Europe. We have often seen year elapse
between It's worst outbreaks in France ard
England and its temperance in the cpl
demic form in this country. 1t is consollBg
10 remember that after all cholera is less
dangerous and less destructive in the long
run than diphtheria.