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it will occur only in small local outbreaks, and that
Londoners generally have no serious cause for alarm.
The history of the disease in this country, which
I have given at some length, points strongly to this
conclusion. It was to sewage-contaminated water
that all our larger outbreaks were formerly due.
And the water which is now supplied by our water
companies is (as furnished to us by them) reasonably
free from danger of sewage-contamination.
Indeed, excepting the outbreak of Cholera in the
East of London during the epidemic of 1866,
I know of no dissemination of disease by means
of our water companies since their intake has been
removed from the Thames in London.
Of course, in the case of a disease like Cholera,
of which our practical experience is very small,
conditions may be present or may arise to falsify
all our preconceived opinions; and after all the
epidemic may become both general and severe.
I repeat, however, that all our present knowledge
and present experience points to the opposite conclusion.
Let me add, in conclusion, without at present
going into minute details: that pure water, well
filtered and carefully guarded from faecal contamination,
thorough domestic cleanliness, and where