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20
15. Nearly 300, from 20 to
70 years of age, during the epidemic,
died from Cholera and
Diarrhoea in the Limehouse District.
In making this statement I would
appeal to Medical Officers of Health,
to medical men generally (those few
who publicly committed themselves
hastily to the water theory at the
outset excepted), to Relioving Officers,
and to all benevolent agents
engaged in the visitation of the sick
and poor, whether it does not fall
within their knowledge, with all
the force of impressed, indelible
truth, that the immeasurably preponderating
bulk of this class of
persons of both sexes who perished
were not tcater drinkers: but, with
the due allowance for moderation,
the rule was in life intoxicating
drinks, and commonly these to
excess? I know well that one responsive
"yes" will come from all
quarters.*
In thus prosecuting the enquiry, I have brought under notice the drinking
habits of 1,800 persons— men, women, and children, together with
infants in arms— in statements upon which dependence may be placed, collected
with no little trouble, and involving such facts as cannot fail to enable
the honest mind to arrive at something like the truth.
* The drinking habits of the bulk of adults who died from Cholera at first staggered the water
theorists. But they surprisingly recovered their equanimity, toon too. Let it not be supposed that
the sequel is at all an exaggeration, but a grave fact, by way of the elucidation of an anomaly, current
in Medical Societies, had the run of our Hospitals, and was believed in by many in our Cholera
Infirmaries. It will be best represented possibly by a colloquy, supposing the impersonation of
Science, descending into the arena of ordinary mortals, thus— Querist: "How can you account, as I
am informed, for the immense majority of drinking people, who eschewed water, dying from the
epidemic?"—Science" Nothingmore easy of explanation."— Querist: "Well, really, I remain in
gross ignorance."— Science: "Did you ever get drunk (by accident of course once in your life f—
Querist rubs his hands over his eyes, and hesitates a reply.— Science : "Did you ever suffer from 'hot
coppeis'i ' Querist is still silent.— Science: "Well, don't you perceive these indulgers in stimulants,
alter a debauch, found themselves suffering from 'hot coppers,'got up in the night, and emptied the
water bottles. 1 hat, you see, clears up all — Querist was dumb with astonishment. So then here
are massess of PeoPle of both sexes, who for the best part of their lives have been daily at their potations
of Real PineApple," " Cream of the Valley," and " Truman and Hanbury's Entire," finding themselves
prostrated at length by a copious draught of cold water from the Works at Old Ford.