Observations on the prevalence of epidemic fever in Edinburgh and Glasgow; and means suggested for improving the sanitary condition of the poor / [Robert Deuchar].

  • Deuchar, Robert.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the prevalence of epidemic fever in Edinburgh and Glasgow; and means suggested for improving the sanitary condition of the poor / [Robert Deuchar]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    It must be obvious that much good must have resulted from the long-continued operations of the Fever Board, in conjunction with the Destitute Sick Society and Public Dispensaries; and it is be¬ lieved that, in no other city in the empire has such a regular system been pursued. But while much has been done to prevent the dis¬ ease extending here as it has done in Glasgow, Dublin, and other towns in Ireland, yet it is to be regretted that all those means have been unable to prevent periodical returns, and, on the whole, a la¬ mentable increase of this devastating malady. During the last year there has been, as already stated, a consider¬ able increase of fever, the number of cases being about one-third more than in any former year, and this, too, has occurred, notwith¬ standing that increased exertions have been made to check its pro¬ gress. Mr Ramsay, the superintendent of the cleaning department, and Dr Tait, surgeon of police, have given great assistance, and by their directions, no less than 2120 apartments have been cleaned and fumigated since September last, besides 1531 passages, and 690 stair-cases. There can be but one opinion as to the great importance of clean¬ ing the houses of the poor, and the Commissioners of Police deserve the highest praise for their exertions; but unless the patients are re¬ gularly removed to the hospital, the labour will often prove ineffec¬ tual. And it is more than probable that the ravages of the present epidemic would not have been so extensive, had the Managers of the Royal Infirmary not been under the necessity of refusing admission to a considerable number of patients, who were consequently treated at their own houses, as in Glasgow. This unquestionably must have been one cause of the great extension of fever in Edinburgh. The Managers of the Royal Infirmary have exerted themselves to the utmost to afford additional accommodation; and the liberality of the public on this emergency, is ample proof that they deservedly possess the confidence of the community. The present epidemic however is, as already stated, comparative¬ ly mild, and as it has begun to decrease,—it is hoped it will soon dis¬ appear. But considering the extent of disease in Glasgow, where so many cases have occurred in one year as have been known to exist in this city during a period of twenty years, we ought to feel grateful that the visitation has been so slight, and that the mortality has been so limited. Although much good may be effected by very simple means, yet there is great danger in imagining that fever will be prevented by simply cleaning the apartments of the poor. Were this belief to gain ground, one of the principal causes of the disease, viz .poverty aaa destitution, would not fail to be, in some degree, overlooked.