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19
Although much alarm was created by the presence of Cholera
on the Continent and within a few hours sail of the Port of
London, only a few typical cases occurred in England, and one
case alone of a undoubtable Asiatic type was introduced into
Lambeth. As the nature of the disease in this case was fully
investigated by the Physician at St. Thomas's, under whose care
he was retained and the Pathologist of the Hospital, the following
particulars relating to the history of the attack, and the means
taken to prevent the spread the infection are of interest.
On Monday, October 3rd, a letter was received from the
Resident Physician of St. Thomas's Hospital, stating that on the
previous morning, at an early hour, a person suffering from a
complaint resembling Cholera, had been removed from a house
situated in the Parish of Lambeth and admitted into the Hospital.
On visiting the ward in which the patient was lying, and after
observation of the symptoms and microscopical examination of
the diarrhœl discharge, the Medical Officer was of opinion that
most stringent precautions should be taken by disinfection and
other available methods to prevent any extension in the Parish of
that which he regarded as a dangerous infectious disease.
The patient, Henry William Passfield, occupied the position of
a captain in charge of a river tug plying between Woolwich and
Becton, and his business consisted in loading, unloading, and towing
from place to place the cargoes of ships. Usually, his
engagements prevented him from visiting home more frequently
than at weekly intervals. On the evening of Friday, two days
before his admission into the Hospital, he arrived home and complained
of feeling unwell. Refusing food, he went to bed. On
Saturday morning he left home for business. On Saturday evening
at 9 o'clock he returned. At this time his symptoms were
acute, his wife became alarmed and sought the advice of a local
Medical practitioner, who visited and prescribed for the patient.
The severity of his symptoms increasing, he was removed to St.
Thorn . Hospital at one o'clock on Sunday morning.
On the receipt of the first intimation, the residence of the
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