The morning call., 1893-07-19
ARRESTING CHOLERA.

According to DR.. Walter Kempster and
Surgeon Fairfax, who are making nvesti-
cations abroad with reference to cholera
in connection with the Marine Hospital
service, Jerusalem Is in fair way to be-
come plague spot like unto Mecca. But
the travellers who 60 to Jerusalem would
like to improve its water supply and Sani-
tation, and would even do so at their own
expense if the Turks would permit OF the
innovation OF cleanliness in any part OF the
Sultan's realm. Pilgrims and Russian iD-
migrants in filthy garb and OF squaiid
habits have been pouring into the capital
of Judea of late in considerable numbers,
and the American and English residents
have been quickened in apprehension OF
danger il sanitary precautions are not en-
forced. knowing that the Turk wonld do
nothing of his own accord they petltioned
the Sultan to be allowed TO keep Jeru-
salem clean and supplied with pure water
without plaster Of expense to the Gov
ernment. But Turkey was as obdurate
and unapproachabls on the matter as if 1t
had been proposed to absorb revenue.
Just as Rome to-day enjoys the benefit OF
the magnificent aqueducts constructed by
the ancient Romans so Jerusalem may
have at little cost the benefit Of the still
sound sewers and water-supDly pipes laid
down iii King Solomon's time. The water
supply now goes to waste. but it is ample
for all purposes if utilized. So Jerusalem
is filthy through the stupendOus folly OF
Turkey.
Constantinople is notoriously foul. and
as an agent in the spread Of disease will
always be menace to Europe, because OF
its commerce. Its heterogeneous intercourse
of races and the rooted notion that all
quarantine and sanitary measures must be
founded upon the teachings of the Koran,
and if not found there are supertuOus If
not pernicious. The present visitation of
cholera has not come through Constanti-
nople, but has drifted past and around it,
Cholera comes from India, its true indus,
and its track lies along the paths of com.
merce. 1t soon reaches Mecca and Persia.
and then it crosses the Caspian and
gets into Southern Russia. Egypt
| has good quarantine, but this
year cholera has got inside the line
and may strike in all directions from a
port like Alexandria. The disease in
Marseilles is believed to have come from
Russia by the expulsion of Hebrews from
infected districts. AS the in Intercourse with
England is very intimate from France and
all the Mediterranean countries. Dr.
kempster and Surgeon Fairfax point out
the danger Of importation of disease into
the United States. Immigrants are now
showing preference for English ports In
reaching the United States. under the
belief that they can escape the rigid exam
nations of the Marine Hospital service
But the English. Scotch and Irish ports
are carefully watched by United States
officials, and while this vigilance is main
tained there is DO occasion for alarm.
The New York Times advocates the sup
preston of cholera in Europe by the CO.
operation of the powers in rigid and
effective sanitary organization and quar-
antine inspection. Cholera could be kept
out of Europe if measures were taken
quite independently of the Sultan OF
Turkey and the Shah of Persia. and all the
| roads of travel were guarded. The Sultan
and the Shah would have to submit if
Europe spoke with united voice. Mecca
itself would require sanitary council.
| Probably some action will be taken
eventually TO confne cholera to India,
where it is inerad cable