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7
as the most infectious stage, and indeed throughout its course,
there arc many who do not even suffer pain or inconvrnicnce.
'I hey follow the tenor of their ordinary occupations. They travel
in the public conveyances and visit the places of public amusement
They arc found in the class-rooms of schools, in the playground,
in the shops, and in the streets. It is by these persons
who apparently have little or nothing the matter with them, that
the disease is chiefly propagated; and it is in consequence of the
unrestrained movement of these that the epidemic attains such
large proportions. The organised efforts of a Sanitary Authority
are powerless in dealing with this section of infected persons by
reason of their multitude, and the shadowy character of their
ailment. It it true, those who arc more severely affected may be
subjected to notification, isolation, and disinfection. But any
success which might result from such action must be in a great
measure neutralized through the dissemination of iufection by that
larger section with whose movements the Vestry has no ability to
interfere. There is no course the Vestry can be recommended to
lake which holds out any reasonable hope of effectual interference
with the course of the epidemic.
In such periods as this through which we are now
parsing, there is often manifest a general feeling of apprehension
and alarm resulting from ignorance of the true facts and
circumstances of the situation, and it is a matter of observation
that efforts which have for their object the enlightenment
of the people tend towards the allayment of panic and
extravagant fear. Unfortunately a theory is entertained by a
large number that free indulgence in stimulating liquor is advantageous
in the prevention of attack, and when the disease is
already acquired, in allaying the severity of the symptoms. A
society of ladies, imbued with these mischievous views, has
lately been engaged in distributing large quantities of whiskey and
brandy among the poor. I beg to recommend—if such
action be in accordance with the views of your Committee—
that a short statement, having reference to the nature of the