Thoughts on the best means of lessening the destructive progress of cholera : in a letter addressed to the Right Honourable Viscount Melbourne / by Joshua Brookes.

  • Brookes, Joshua, 1761-1833.
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thoughts on the best means of lessening the destructive progress of cholera : in a letter addressed to the Right Honourable Viscount Melbourne / by Joshua Brookes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to presume, that the excess of carbonic acid generated in the common air, breathed by numbers of individuals, may contribute peculiarly to the reception of the poison. Again, as to the influence of poverty, Dr. Bisset Hawkins, in his 4 Elements of Medical Statistics,’ has proved beyond a doubt how deeply this cause is concerned in the extension of epidemics.” The able Editor of the Lancet, after detailing many ob¬ vious omissions of sound policy, and a variety of salutary observations and necessary regulations to be observed on the breaking out of Cholera, proceeds thus. “ Attention will then doubtless be directed to many, perhaps all of the preceding defects which we have pointed out. Examples will occur in which heaps of human beings, nestling in filth, and in a state of extreme poverty, are detected wal¬ lowing in their hovels. Adulterations of bread and beer will be pointed out; offensive sinks and drains will be mentioned; and statements will perhaps be made of habita¬ tions rendered noisome by stenches proceeding from un¬ discovered sources. Lists of sickly and unemployed per¬ sons will be handed in; general defects in day and night clothing and prevailing filthiness will be remarked. “ To meet all these evils, there are obvious measures which we need not dwell on, further than to recommend that pauper lodging-houses should be thinned of their inhabit¬ ants by parochial laws, &c.; that the adulterations of food, and the sale of unwholesome articles of diet, such as stale or spoiled fruit, vegetables, &c., should receive particular attention. The white-washing of houses with caustic or quick lime; the digging up of earthen floors, and mixing them with lime; the assiduous search after the causes of offensive smells should not be forgotten; premiums should be given for the encouragement of cleanliness. If blankets or clothing be issued, an inspection of the articles should (in order to prevent their transmutation into gin) take place by a visitor at uncertain periods; or they might b<e