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47
have been supplied to this parish. That the work has
been costly, no one can deny : that it will afford the rate-
payers an equivalent return for the outlay in the saving of
ife, and in depriving disease of much of its former
virulence, there can be scarcely two opinions. Let us hope,
too, that the efficiency of this measure, will not be without
its influence in arresting the approach of a disease much
to be dreaded by all communities—I mean Cholera.
For some time past there have been the most unmistakeable
indications of the approach of this disease, but it
is satisfactory to find both the medical profession, and the
public entertaining such views of the nature of the
threatened epidemic as are calculated to allay many of the
worst fears, with which the advent of the malady was
formerly regarded. Unquestionably, also, are we much
better prepared than we were a few years since, to oppose
the invasion of the district by Cholera and by many other
diseases; but it cannot be disputed that, although our
progress in sanitation has hitherto been satisfactory, there
remains much to be accomplished, and that many well
devised and vigorous measures, necessary to combat overcrowding,
deficient water supply, and bad house-drainage,
have yet to be carried out.
Cholera, it is true, has not visited us severely since 1854,
and it is possible may not again appear in this country under
quite the same alarming conditions as it then did. As a
public writer has well observed, "We are exposed, no doubt,
to certain risks, but these risks are not, to all appearance
alarming, whilst the measures recommended by actual experience
may be easily distinguished from suggestions
originating in causeless panic." Most medical and sanitary
authorities agree in viewing the conditions under which
the disease has lately made its appearance at some few of
our ports, and in certain emigrant vessels, as bearing but
little resemblance to those of former epidemics. Be this, however
as it may, it would reflect but little credit upon us were
we to neglect the usual reasonable precautions against the
spread of this destructive malady, now that we have a
willing Legislature to second our efforts, and Acts of
Parliament to justify our measures; and it should never