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under other circumstances, that one case of the disease has
occurred, by carrying out well-known sanitary principles, it
would be nipped in the bud.
1873.—But too little is thought of spreading infection
to others, and frequent communication is kept up between
the sick and the healthy; wearing apparel, bed linen, &c., is
sent to the laundress without preliminary disinfection, and is
mixed up with the clothing of the healthy, or in some
instances is washed and got up in the very room in which
the sick person is lying.
1873.—These dangers would in a great measure be
avoided if the Officers of the Hoard were put into possession
of information as to the occurrence of every case of infectious
disease, for in many instances the patient might be removed
to the hospital provided for such emergencies.
Forms of circulars for affording this information were
supplied to the medical men of this neighbourhood, but for
many reasons were not much used; and frequently the only
information which reached the Officers of the Board as to the
occurrence of infectious disease is tho return of the Registrar
of Deaths. What can be done in the way of cleansing and
disinfecting is then done; but probably the disease has
gained time to be started upon its course, and cannot be
rooted out suddenly.
Foci of Epidemic Disease.—Epidemic disease almost
invariably takes its origin in filthy localities; but its virulence
is not necessarily expended there; and when once
it commences there is no prejudging the amount of suffering
and mortality which may take place, nor the amount of
pauperism and expense that may be charged upon the parish,
probably to be avoided entirely by timely and judicious
attention and outlay.
Ambulance.
1857.—Ambulance.—I may take the opportunity of
reminding you of the extreme danger incurred by conveying
patients suffering from infectious diseases in the public