Sanitary measures and their results : being a sequel to "The history of cholera in Exeter in 1832," to which is now added a short account of its occurance in 1849 / by Thomas Shapter, M.D.

  • Shapter, Thomas.
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sanitary measures and their results : being a sequel to "The history of cholera in Exeter in 1832," to which is now added a short account of its occurance in 1849 / by Thomas Shapter, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    As tills proceeding created throughout the City some ex- citement and an expression of public fear, it was my appointed duty, as Chairman of the Sanitary Committee, to sohcit the commanding officer to march his men to the Barracks, not through the City, but by a nearer and more secluded route. Being at the railway station for this purpose, during the few minutes previously to the arrival of the train, I entered into conversation with the officer, who had arrived on the previous evening to make the requisite arrangements for the arrival of the regiment at the Barracks. lie informed me that nine men had died, and that when he left Plymouth the Major was seriously ill. Whilst sitting by his side, it was obvious that his limbs were occasionally jerked in spasm (a symptom locally designated as being twicked). Learning from him that he had been somewhat unwell during the previous twelve hours, he was strongly urged, on the arrival of the regiment, to immediately apply to the surgeon for advice. The regiment arrived. The first question asked was after the sick major; the reply, that he had died at midnight. Any others ill ? A few men, and one taken ill in the train, and sent back. All care for and thought on these topics were soon absorbed in the report he had to make to his command- ing officer. The men were quickly formed into line, and marched off to their quarters. Within two hours the late Mr. Webb and myself were summoned to the bed-side of this young officer, who had by this time passed into a state of the most abject collapse from Cholera. The scene then witnessed during the remainder of the day was such as cannot easily be forgotten. The kindest attention was bestowed upon this young man by his brother officers, all ministering to him, in every particular, with the most cheerful, generous, and off- hand assiduity ; nevertheless the neighbouring mess-table was as merry, and its jokes as loud, as it was wont to be. During all this time, two soldiers stood, as on guard at the door of the sick chamber, obedient to every slightest command. This young officer eventually recovered. To resume. Subsequently there were taken ill in the 82nd Regiment four men only ; of these, one was the servant of the