The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-21
THEY FEAR CHOLERA
.xo <nr wORKING 10 PREyENT
IT rROn sPREdDINd
s,ouid :, Unfortunately Appear In Nir-
rinia-The chamber Of Commerce ana
the Board OF Health.

Tho chamber OF Commerce mas issued
,naor date Of June 10Th. /e following
,.,rcuisrs The nrst. which is signed by
n / Alfriond. chairman, IS as follows
Calling your attention 20 the accompa-
- circular OF the State Board OF
stealth. the Chamber Of Commerce re-
,nocthilly requests your aid In Inaugural
INC the very important work Of this BODY
for the following considerations:
THAT there exists grave apprehension
IN the part OF our most prominent phy-
.icians that this country will be visited
aurinp the present year by an epidemic
90 ctolcra. that while IN case OF such
x1si,aflon tho municipal authorities might
rnake adequate provision Tor thc Woih
~ their local boards. there 'wouln DE
lack Of cooperation between them' ana
many questions. requiring the existence
Of an active and well-equipped STATE
Board Of Health 10 establish proper ana
effective measures and precautions coulH
not be dealt with as they should be IN any
state not having such board
That while the Governor OF virginia
under the authority Of the law. has APP
"a
with important powers. no provision
whatever for the execution 81 those
bowers IS made fra the law creating this
orgauizatlon Under such circumstances
nne locality might take every precaution'
hut II the adjoining or even more distant
localities failed 10 be equally Vigilant
The efforts Of the first might be rendered
entirely uugatory. For instance: Rich
rnond might do everything which was
possible I'm the premises. but n Chester
field or Honrlco failed 20 take similar
action pcstilence might be bred In those
counties which would be as destructive
to Richmond SIS 80 themselves.
That I'm the event Of cholera not coming
20 the United States the functions Of this
board would be equally useful IN respect
10 many other scourges and epidemics
20 which we are annually exposed, such
ms typhoid fever. diphtheria, etc.
That IN addition 10 the necessity for
such an organization for the due protec-
lion OF life and health. we. as business
men and citizens. are greatly interested
In the proper establishment and func-
tioDs Of such a board. whose duty il
would be 10 see 10 the adoption Of such
precautions as might prevent the origin
md dissemination Of disease. thus tend
ing 10 avoid all such unnecessary alarms
guarantees and cmbargOes as would use
Iesslv stop business and intercourse be-
tween different localities. which are liable
20 occur where no uniform and authorize
tive source Of information or action eX-
fists.
Finally. your generous response TO this
appeal IS asked because the Chamber
was primarily instrumental In the reOr-
ganization OF this board; and while Il
regrets to call upon a public too often
expected 10 do more than itshroper share.
A. feels that I'm the present instance the
cause for which aid is asked Is one Of
such importance and the circumstances
are go peculiar that each good citizen
will do well 10 respond I'm accordance with
his ability.
II is expected that some 5000 will he re-
auired by this board. and that the ex-
ample Of Richmond in making a liberal
subscription will be productive Of similar
contributions on the part Of the other
communities iu the State to assist In the
work II this state Board until the meeting
Of the next Legislature.
The city has been distrlcted. and the
Subcommittee from your district will call
upon you in a few days when II is hoped
you will be able 90 contribute from your
means 10 this important work.
The committee on health and sanitation
and the special committee cooperating.
From The Board.
The second circular IS from the State
Board Of Health and is as follows:
Dear Sir.-National and State sanitary
and quarantine officials are keenly alive
20 the danger Of am invasion by cholera
in the near future. Active efforts 10 pre-
vent its entrance and limit its spread are
municipal authorities. The National Gov
eminent. most OF the states, and many Of
the alert city governments are doing all
that can be done by spending money free
~ and by a thorough police surveillance.
The history Of every epidemic teaches
The benefit Of being forewarned and fore
armed. and in no way can this be ac-
complshed so well as through an active
State Board Of Health
His Excenency the Governor Of Virginia
has commissioned us members of the Nir-
glnla State Board Of Health. The Leeis-
laturc enacted the law creating a State
Board Of Health in 1S7l-'72. but omitted to
appropriate the money absolutely needed
90 carry ont the mission OF such a board
10 its highest possible end "In view Of
the disastrous consequences incident TO
an invasion by cholera. which seems so
seriously % threaten u.s." the Virginia
State Board of Health has no alternative
other than 90 apply TO the people for he
means with which 10 avert the threatened
danger We ask your cooperation in this
work. and To that end enclose subscrip-
tion form for Yourself and others
Iawicy W. Martin. NJ. D.. president;
Robert j. Preston. NJ. H.. Paul y. Bar
ringer NJ. d.. James Parrish. NJ. D..
fandon Is. Edwards. Nj. r., Hugh NJ.
Taylor NJ. D.. Paulus A. Irving, NJ. D.,
secretary and treasurer.