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58
visitational system for arresting its progress. In
the fifteenth week, however, the Corporation of the
City undertook the unperformed duty, not legally
devolving on them, and requested me to make
arrangements for the purpose of its execution.
With assistance of the several Medical Officers of
the City Unions, I immediately organised the
requisite staff, and from that moment to the close
of the epidemic there continued under my superintendence
a systematic visitation of the poor, with
beneficial, though tardy and imperfect, results.
Recalling these incidents to the recollection of
your Honourable Court, I would beg to observe that
no similar endeavour can fully succeed, except as a
system—well considered beforehand, and adjusted
to the various circumstances which may require its
application. Uncertainties of responsibility and
conflicts of jurisdiction would inevitably occasion a
sacrifice of life; and therefore, before the time when
Cholera is likely to become epidemic, it should be
definitively settled who is to undertake this organisation.
Your Commission can have no jurisdiction
in the matter; and the interference of the Corporation
would be only at its own option. The legal
responsibility rests solely with the Boards of
Guardians: and it seems to me indispensable that,
before the time for action arrives, the Corporation
should determine its intentions; in order that the
Boards of Guardians, if again called upon to
organise arrangements of the kind in question, may
know distinctly—either that the Corporation has