A letter to the Presidents of the Westminster Medical Society, on cholera / [John Webster].

  • Webster, John.
Date:
1832
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to the Presidents of the Westminster Medical Society, on cholera / [John Webster]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    1 ■> tlie spreading of a disease., I should consider, the restric¬ tions ought to be, not, how to keep individuals from coming out, but to prevent them going into infected places; as they thus expose themselves to the same influential causes, with others of the diseased district. The removal of the inhabitants to a healthier, would be more beneficial. To refer again to the black hole at Calcutta, we find, that the surrounding cordon, or quarantine, there caused the death of almost every victim confined; who would have suffered no injury, had they been only allowed, to leave that horrid dungeon. Had a cordon of troops been placed round Sunderland, as was once gravely recommended, the consequences of sUch a measure, besides its almost impracticability, can scarcely be imagined. And the experience of those governments, where the strictest quarantine has been tried, only shews its inutility, liuleed, the disease was aggravated by its adoption, and when the restrictions were removed, the Cholera soon afterwards became materially lessened. Experience is therefore against quarantine, and accord¬ ingly, Government have abolished all intervention, with internal trade and commerce. In delivering the sentiments now expressed, it is by no means intended, to paralyze the laudable exertions, so meritoriously made by the charitable and humane, in the upper and middle classes, in order to alleviate the miseries and wants of the poor. Far be it ever from my intention, even in the slightest manner, to obstruct, or neutralize such praiseworthy exertions. For conduct so beneficial as this, not only proves to the lower ranks, that their more rich and elevated neighbours, attend to their distresses and situation, and are most anxious to release them. But such proceedings have also a most material influence, in prevent¬ ing the spreading of this, or of other epidemics, to which the poor are liable. If, therefore, what is now said, could by possibility, have the slightest influence, in checking the exertions of benevolent individuals, of boards of health, or of vestries, not a word would be advanced on this topic of contagion. But as such an effect, cannot result from the present observations, no fear is therefore felt, this will be the consequence. If, however, on the other hand, any thing now stated shall, in the slightest \