The record-union., 1894-09-10
HYGIENIC CONGRESS.
Interesting Paper Relating to Cholera
by DIR. Ernest Harris.

Interesting Paper Relating to Cholera
by DR.. Ernest Harris.
BUDA-PEsTH, Sept. 9.-At the session of
the Hygieuic Congress an interesting
paper on cholera was read by DR.. Ernest
HarUs. He argued that the disease came
from the valley of the Ganges, where
there is an utter disregard of sanitary
precautions, and where the people habit
ually drink polluted water. DIR. Harts
said it seemed persons could even touch
and rub cholera patients with impunity,
The danger consisted of the swallowing
of the bacillus, which, the doctor con-
tended, lived two lives, one in the human
body, multiplying within the patient,
and proved by him abundantly. and the
other outside the body in damp ground,
dirty water, etc., to be swallowed by
some one else in order to start again its
destructive course. Cholera, he said, is
spread broadcast by pilgrims to Mecca
and elsewhere. The Government of In
dia must watch the festivals in that coun-
try, and Europe, by international agree
ment, should guard the pilgrim track by
isolating early cases. The sultan of Tur-
key ought to adopt measures for the thor
ough sanitation of that area, which is a
nursery of cholera.
Upon the conclusion Of the reading of
the paper resolution was adopted ex-
pressing the full approval of the congress
OF the Dresden Convention.
Some disagreement ensued regarding'a
number of resolutions submitted owing
TO the fact that many of them were not
translated, and were apparently not un-
derstood by majority ofthose present.
AT an early stage of the discussion DR..
Billings, who represents the American
Government and several scientific bodies,
energetically protested against the whole
sale adoption of resolutions that were un-
i -,
and urged that an international con-
gress Of this kind should only pass reso-
lutions regarding which general con-
census of opinion existed. He would
object to every resolution and challenge
the batch. The voting had increased the
confusion, and resolutions were now re-
jected for no apparent reason. DIR. Bill
lings then read his protest, and said that
while there were $50 members of the con-
gress, resolutions would be passed by
vote of 80. He demanded the number of
votes on each resolution to be recorded.
He therefore ordered a count of the dele
gates, and found Sc were present.
DR.. Low of Vienna said in its present
conduct the meeting was simply destroy
ing the work of years. Important reso-
lutions were rejected because only few
delegates were acquainted with the SUBJ
jects. a resolution was adopted relating
to the compulsory insurance OF cattle.
III. DILIluSS pIObSottd tDdt tuto was NV
a hygienic but commercial question.
The question was rejected.
The proposal to appoint national COM
mittee to make studies for an interna-
tional pharmacopoia was submitted.
DIR. Billings stated that this was not
medical but a pharmaceutical congress.
The congress. he declared, might as well
propose to pass resolutions bearing on
international law.
The resolution was rejected.
The attendance at the session gradually
dwindled until to-day. when adjourn-
ment was had, it was less than fifty.
AT the final sitting Herr Won Hony-
mere, Minister of the Interior. presided.
All the foreign Ministers were present on
the platform.
1t was decided to hold the next con-
gress in Madrid.