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trumpeted forth by one-to be denounced in its use, by a second, as amounting
to little better than unjustifiable homicide.
With all these perplexities of practical men, along with that of many
others from all civilized nations, whose experience has been gained in all
quarters of the globe, ere venturing on the expression of their opinions—it is
almost too much to bo called upon at length to take for granted all that is
found in a "Blue Book" on Cholera, and the Cholera "explosion" at the
East End of London, without note or comment from merely official authority,
for the statements to pass unchallenged, and for the conclusions ro receive
an acquiescence as inevitable and indisputable,
I am very well aware it has been said that the Cholera "explosion"
question has been settled by some four or five, or (is it ?) six independent
authorities. But nothing can bo considered for a moment "settled," so long
as it remains a subject of controverted medicine. Nor does the pompous
term "authority" help matters a jot; the sort of benefits that have come
upon the world from this influence are pretty well known; the evils flowing
from it in medicine few ran tell. Now, what after all is an "authority?"
In the present restricted medical sense it means some one gentlemen, who,
from his personal or relative position, or both (with time to spare) is appointed
to make an enquiry into the origin, character, and course of the late
epidemic, having Special reference to its aggravation in the East of London.
According to this definition, instead of 4, or 5 or 6, the terra "authority"'
might just as correctly, in point of competency, be applied to 4, or 5 or G
hundreds in the metropolis.
Their combination of action, and the unity of result go for nothing. A
pestilence comes, thousands are dead and dying. There is great terror on
all sides. The public must be appeased—a cause must be assigned appearances
favor it—the theory is plausible. Authorities A. and B, are agreed;
C. is in exact response to A.; D. in no way differs from B.; E. has the
points of all, and occupies the same space as A., B., C., and D. It follows
that authorities A., B., C., D., and E. are so far equal, and agree with one
another.
In thus stating the position of parties prominently interested in the
investigation, I would by no means be supposed to intend anything offensive;
but besides, in a professional light, it will not fail to be looked at by men of