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its attack, so appalling in its symptoms, so great in
its fatality, that its approach within a few days' sail
of our shores, can hardly fail to excite a certain
amount of apprehension and alarm.
It is satisfactory, however, to know that the
most effective means against its spread are precisely
those sanitary measures which are steadily adopted
year by year and have been found efficacious in
lessening the fatality of Enteric fever and other
kindred diseases. They include whatever tends
to promote the health of individuals viz., cleanliness,
exercise, moderation in food and drink, warm
clothing and regularity of habits.
They include also, whatever tends to promote
the healthiness of our dwellings, such as free ventilation
by means of open windows; the removal
of all vegetable and animal refuse; the avoidance
of damp, by properly concreted or paved basements,
cellars, yards and areas; the cleansing and
lime-whiting of everv dark or dirty nook or corner;
the maintenance of an efficient system of drainage
by well constructed drains, and effectivelytrapped
sinks and gulleys; the avoidance of all
offensive closets by constant cleanliness and frequent
flushing. The obtaining an abundant supply of
pure water, and preventing its subsequent contamination,
by regularly cleansing the cisterns, keeping
them covered as a protection from impurities
floating in the air, and above all, by preventing any
possible pollution of the water which is used for
drinking purposes, through the absorption of sewer
gas. All waste pipes should be severed from any
direct communication with the drain, and be made
to open in the air over a trapped gulley. A