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us to fear, indeed to be almost certain, that great as our
increase is, we shall have in the ensuing anil probably
subsequent years a still greater increase in the prevalence
and fatality of this disease, for it is scarcely likely that
surrounded as we are by parishes suffering even more
severely than ourselves, we shall escape with the really
severe, but relatively slight increase which has occurred
this year. I think it right to state that, at his own
suggestion and with my wish and sanction, Dr. Stevens has
been endeavouring to discover the source of the aggravation
of this disease. It is almost needless to say that the results
of his enquiry are up to the present time of no great value.
The subject is exceedingly difficult, and especially difficult
for any one who wishes rather to ascertain the actual truths,
than to support popular theories or to write a sensational
report.
(IV.) ASIATIC CHOLERA.
With respect to this disease I have little to add to
what I said in the appendix to my last report. It
prevailed here and there on the continent during the year;
a few cases were brought on board ship to some of our
seaport towns; and there appear to have been a few local
outbreaks in England due to some of these cases. Indeed
there is reason to believe that a case or two occurred in
London. All this is very interesting and satisfactory: first,
as showing that cholera was on the whole very satisfactorily
dealt with by the port sanitary authorities acting under the
directions of the Local Government Board; and second, as
indicating that even if cholera finds its way into our
country the sanitary conditions are now for the most part