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Where dangerous conditions of residence cannot be promptly
remedied, it will be best that the inmates, while unattacked by
disease, remove to some safer lodging.
13. Privation, as predisposing to disease, may require special
measures of relief.
14. In certain cases special medical arrangements are necessary.
For instance, as cases of cholera in this country sometimes begin
somewhat gradually in the comparatively tractable form of what is
called "premonitory diarrhoea," it is essential that, where cholera has
appeared, arrangements should be made for affording medical relief
without delay to persons attacked, even slightly, with looseness of
bowels. So, again, where small-pox is the prevailing disease, it is
essential that all unvaccinated persons (unless they previously have
had small-pox) should very promptly be vaccinated; and that revaccination
should be performed in cases properly requiring it.
15. It is always to be desired that the people should, as far as
possible, know what real precavitions they can take against the
disease which threatens them, what vigilance is needful with regard
to its early symptoms, and what (if any) special arrangements have
been made for giving medical assistance within the district. For
the purpose of such information, printed hand-bills or placards may
usefully be employed, and in cases where danger is great,
house-to-house visitation by discreet and competent persons may be
of the utmost service, both in quieting unreasonable alarm and in
leading or assisting the less educated and the destitute parts of the
population to do what is needful for safety.
16. The present memorandum relates to occasions of emergency.
Therefore the measures suggested in it are essentially of an extemporaneous
kind; and permanent provisions for securing the public
health have, in express terms, been but little insisted on. It is to be
remembered, however, that in proportion as a district is habitually
well cared for by its Sanitary Authority, the more formidable
emergencies of epidemic disease are not likely to arise in it.
17. Provision by the public authority for disinfection by heat of
bulky articles, and of those which cannot without injury be exposed
to chemical agencies, ought always to be in readiness. Without such
provision no complete disinfection can be effected. Partial and
nominal disinfection, besides being wasteful, may be mischievous, as
giving rise to a false security.
18. The following system of domestic disinfection may be commended
to Sanitary Authorities who have already provided adequate
public means for the disinfection and for the disposal of infected
matters and things:—
(a) For the purposes of the sick room, such as the reception of