The record-union., 1892-08-27
CHOLERA AND rrs PREVENTION,

Inc report from Europe that Dr. Han-
kline has discovered a preventive for
cholera will excite great deal of interest.
The claim is that by incubation with
attenuated virus of the cholera the patient
experiences but slight change from the
normal condition, and becomes, after a
days sickness, proof against the plague.
/ DR.. Hatfkine experimental upon ami
mals at first, and becoming satisfied of
the efficacy Of the treatment, he used the
virus unattenuated upon himself, and
without such sickness as to greatly in
commode him. 1t is not stated, however,
whether the doctor then exposed himself
to the cholera. Unless he ui,. 30 ne test
was not complete
|. incubation IS a preventive Of small
poa has long been il practice. Nearly a
hun ed years ago the English practiced
it grrrs deal, and it is continued to a
,onsio..,.Sle extent to this time. The
'inese for centuries have inoculated
,Aeir children with the virus of small
pox; varioloid follows this treatment, and,
from DR.. Hatfkine's statements, it would
seem that a very mild form Of cholera
follows inoculation with the virus of that
| disease.
DR.. Haffkine is a student of Pasteur's
system of preventives for hydrophobia
| and some other violent diseases, and he
! expresses himself as confident that his
discovery regarding cholera is genuine
and that it will prove an invaluable boon
to humanity.
While the cholera is abating in France
it appears to be increasing in viruIence
and spreading with alarming rapidity in
to learn that the principal steamers be-
tween Hamburg and the United States
and England are to be withdrawn, and
| that the authorities in our own country
| are taking the most active steps to pre-
vent the introduction of the plague. Cam
ada has set up barriers upon her coast,
and many interior cities of both the
United States and the Dominion have be-
gun to enforce stringent sanitary precau-
tions. 1t would be we'll for the cities of
California to take similar action. Our
climate. SO far from being barrier, is in
the hot valleys especially an invitation to
the disease. We ought therefore to pro-
ceed as if climatic conditions had nothing
to do with the case. We should institute
at once rigid inspection system, and en-
force health ordinances with such vigor
that compliance cannot be evaded. In the
meantime let the people remember that
fear induces a condition favorable to
cholera; that placidity of mind tends to
fortify the body. Intemperance in eating
and drinking invites choleraic assaults:
on the other hand too rigid abstinence
weakens bodily defenses and enervates
the man. As a rule the drinker of much
liquor is most likely to be attacked, and
when he is 1t is all but impossible to save
him, because remedies are refused by the
condition Of his system. Cleanliness is a
guard, and avoidance of too much of
laxative food is wise. In short, to keep
the system in an even state of content
and vigor is the wise thing to do in all
epidemic periods-it is scarcely necessary
to add, and at all other times.
There is very little faith to be placed in
disintectants for drains, cesspooIs and
| closets that simply destroy i'll smells.
The disinfectant to use is that which is
gerTmicidal, which destroys the breeding
spots of diseases and neutralizes the
agencies that foster the breeding. II
should not be necessary to say to anyone
that filth, foul drains, moldy cellars,
unYentilated sub-foor spaces, rotting
vegetable matter and such like, are bad
at any time, and infinitely worse in
a season when the plague moves upon
the wings Of the wind, seeking congenial
spots to lodge and do its deadly work.
The householder has in the abominable
cesspool system the greatest danger tc
contend With, for it is receptacle diff
cult TO cleanse. However diligent one may
be upon his own premises in keeping
the place clean, he can have no assurance
that his neighbor is doing his duty in the
matter of drains and cesspools. Here is
where the municipal and town authori-
tiles must interfere and by force of law
compel the scornful and negligent tc
keep their premises in good sanitary con.
dition. A mans house is not his castle
to the extent that he may make it the
means of destroying the life or comfort ot
his neighbor.
PRIOR TO the railroad era San Francisco
| hn nr1r diS4r -