The terror of the tents, or, Quarantine restrictions as imposed and enforced in Jamaica during the prevalence of small-pox, under so-called paternal government.

Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The terror of the tents, or, Quarantine restrictions as imposed and enforced in Jamaica during the prevalence of small-pox, under so-called paternal government. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    impartial commission of inquiry I will take care that such commission is furnished with heads of inquiries, and with a list of witnesses to prove facts under each. In )'our letter you observe I am to state that His Ex- cellency will feel greatly obliged if you will suggest, in de- tail, any measures which under the circumstances you are of opinion can or ought to be adopted. In reply I can only say, that I shall be always most happy to give my advice in any matter affecting the Public Health. Whenever Small-pox appears in a place I have always been an advocate for isolation (strict and efficient) of the first cases, in hopes of checking the spread of the disease, but after the disease has once gained ground, I believe for- cible isolation is mischievous i. c. the. removal of a person suffering from Small-pox from his own residence to a tent, hut, or hospital, such a measure is calculated to increase the force of the disease, and induces people to hide their cases, as has been the case in Kingston. Of course, at all periods of the existence of Small-pox in any district, it is right that secluded tents, huts, or hospi- tals should be provided for the reception of transient cases, or for the destitute or houseless. Whenever however, such tents are erected, they should be placed in a secluded and private spot, assuredly not in a public thoroughfare and immediate proximity with crowd- ed houses or hovels, as in the case of Townshend Town. Such tents or huts should be suitable and well-constructed for the purpose, as regards space, light, ventilation, floor- ing, drainage, &c. and be supplied with all necessary re- quirements as water, washing utensils, clothing, bedding commodes or other portable utensils, proper latrines, pri- vies or earth closets with kitchen, &c. There should also be provided a diet scale to be bona fide adhered to, together with a supply of food and wholesome medicines to be prescribed by the Medical Officer and ad- ministered by the head or most responsible nurse. To each range of tents there should also be provided an efficient staff, as a head nurse, a cook, a labourer, a per- son to act as washerwoman, as also nurses, male and female in proportion to the number of patients, both night and day being provided, these should be selected on account of thcu- experiencc, fitness, and good conduct.