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9
a constant supply. The Act is dated 21st August, 1871, and
[might therefore have been made operative from and after the 21st
April last; four months notice has to be given by the Metropolitan
Authority, and the owners of houses have previously to provide
the requisite fittings, Ac.
The probability of an epidemic of Cholera in this country during
the ensuing summer, deserves our most serious consideration5.
This question cannot lie absolutely decided by any calculation, but
we can ensider some important facts, which'may guide us in our
(enquiry. In August, last, Cholera prevailed to a great extent in
Russia, and there was a manifest diffusion of the epidemic towards
the West, some towns in Eastern Germany suffered severely,
and the disease was expected in Berlin and in Paris. But as a
matter of fact. Cholera did not advance; it never reached Paris, or
scarcely Berlin, but attacked Constantinople with the greatest
severity. By tyhe end of September, it was abating in every part
of the Russian Umpire, but, on the other hand, its ravages in the
South East were very severe. It would seem to follow, that as
there has been no decided advance of Cholera from the South East
to the North West, or from India to England, there can be no
corresponding prospect of danger for us in the coming summer;
for, in the whole of our experieence in this matter, there is no
instance to be found of an invasion of Cholera, without a premonitory
outbreak.
The only feature in the records of public health carrying any
significance with it was an extraordinary prevalence and fatality
of Diarrhoea, though chiefly among children. Otherwise, the cases
of Sp[oradic Cholera, which occur with greater or less frequency
in all summers, were fewer than usual. Judging', therefore,
by precedent, we should infer that no especial danger need be
apprehended in 1872. For the last five years, Cholera has been
more or less epidemic in Russia, and it is not to be disguised
that we have Cholera, as it were, settled in Europe; and that
if it should be permanently localized in Russia, the risk of an
outbreak in this country will always be more or less probable.
It behoves us, therefore, to persevere in our most strenuous
efforts to maintain such sanitary conditions as experience has
taught us are the best safeguards against the approach of this
formidable malady.
With these few observations I commend to your consideiation
the accompanying tables. You will perceive that your inspector
has been zealous in his exertions to do his part in staying the
progress of disease; and all the officers connected with
district have united in endeavouring to promote the general goot.
To them and to every member of this board I beg to tender
my best thanks for their co-operation.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ROBERT BIANCHI.