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TO THE
LIMEHOUSE BOARD OF WORKS.
Gentlemen,
At the close of June and early part of July, from the unusual state of
the weather, the excessive heat, in connexion with almost a stagnation of the
atmosphere, little or no wind for days together, and the more than usual depression
generally felt by a summer temperature, I was led to expect as the
result, from experience of previous years, an epidemic of fever. But on the
outbreak of Cholera in its stead, and finding it more especially selecting the
fever haunts for its victims, I was strongly disposed to watch it, as of course
in a limited sense, a substitutionary or vicarious disease, modified by circumstances
which I was unable to apprehend. Then the Register General's views
became known touching the epidemic, the suggestion of the foul water poison
as the cause, conveyed through the mains of the East London Company at
Old Ford. At the time this hypothesis was plausible, seemed almost conclusive,
and I, among the rest, living in the very heart of the cholera field, was
inclined to acquiesce. But facts daily become more prominent. I hesitated,
paused again and again, until at length I was convinced that the water had
little or nothing to do with the Cholera. Then a difficulty arose on a point
of decorum, in withstanding the opinion of the Register General, whose
courtesy to the medical profession has at all times been gratefully appreciated.
There was yet another difficulty in the way—either to fall in with the general
opinion, for terror had made all unanimous, or stifle the expression of my own
convictions. The terms on which I hold my office under the Metropolis
Local Management Act marked out the line of duty. The 123rd Section,
defining the vocations of the medical officer, says he is "to take cognizance of
the existence of contagious or epidemic diseases, and to point out the most
efficient mode of checking and preventing such diseases.' In this spirit I have
already communicated some information to the Registrar General, and availing
myself of a further invitation, I will indirectly now point to some facts ot a
practical character.