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ferent character generally prevail, to which our population and the
crowded parts of the district are more exposed. It behoves us to be
especially on our guard, with regard to the possible increase of Small
Pox. This disease it is well known is in the highest degree contagious,
and although it can at all times, and in all temperatures,
become engendered, yet during a period when there is heat and
closeness of the atmosphere, it is most likely to increase in intensity
and malignity, and also become more extensively propagated. I
have been grieved to find lately, that precautions which formerly
were taken for the prevention of the spreading of this disease, are
now in a great measure neglected. I have witnessed and met with
persons who were only just recovering from the Small Pox, and
from whom contagion would undoubtedly go forth to those who
were unprotected or predisposed, not only in the public streets but
in omnibuses and in railway carriages. One the driver of a cab,
another a toll-gate collector. I know of one instance where a gentleman
took the Small Pox from a child in an omnibus, had the disease
most severely and, although he recovered, one of his servants took it
from him and died. I have also recognized whilst riding in a cab,
the peculiar odour which is known to attend the worst forms of this
disease, —those who have noticed and are acquainted with this singular
smell, which cannot well be described, can readily detect it. On my
charging the driver with having conveyed a Small Pox patient, and
at the same time telling him that I was a doctor, he admitted the
fact. Now it has been well said, "That it may be doubtful how far
in this free country it is justifiable to compel a person to take care
of his own life, or that of his offspring; it can scarcely be disputed,
that no one has a right to put in jeopardy the lives of his fellow subjects.
" The principle of so using one's own as not to injure another's
is one which has always been recognized, in our legislation as
regards property and personal nuisances; and it is but an extension
of this principle to apply it to the questions of health and life.
There is a necessity for further legislative powers on this subject.
No one who has been attacked by Small Pox should come back to
the community till the lapse of at least twenty-one days after the
turn or crisis of the malady.
It occurs to me, that one available precaution may be at once
adopted by the Vestry. —I advise that a notice be sent to every
Marine-store shop keeper in the district, to at once clear out their
stock of rags, and lime-wash, and otherwise cleanse and purify their
shops. I believe that next to personal communication with the
infected, contact with clothes worn, to be a most prolific source of
contagton.