On the origin, habits and diffusion of cholera, and what may be done to prevent or arrest its progress, and to mitigate its ravages / [by J. Fayrer].

  • Fayrer, Joseph, Sir, 1824-1907.
Date:
[1886]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the origin, habits and diffusion of cholera, and what may be done to prevent or arrest its progress, and to mitigate its ravages / [by J. Fayrer]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    .20. ON THE ORIGIN, HABITS AND DIFFUSION OF CHOLERA, AND WHAT MAY BE DONE TO PREVENT OR ARREST ITS PROGRESS, AND TO MITIGATE ITS RAVAGES* When the Committee of your Association did me the honour of inviting me to address you on the subject of cholera, I hesitated to comply with the request, because it appeared to me at first sight unsuited to a general audience. On reflection, however, I thought that in a topic of such universal interest, which has been, nay is, so prominently before men’s minds, I might find matter which would give effect to the wishes of the Committee and also be of service in conveying information which all should possess, with regard to the opinions they should form, the attitude they should assume, and the action they should take in behalf of the public weal, whenever cholera menaces or has actually invaded this or any neighbouring country. I propose therefore to give you some account of a disease which has extended its ravages over much of the earth’s surface, and has destroyed so many of the human race; which is uncertain and apparently capricious in its incidence, terrible in the force and rapidity with which it often strikes, and obstinate in its resistance to therapeutic measures. The true cause of cholera is still unknown, but the laws which affect its origin, propagation and diffusion have been so far ascertained by observation that, happily, the measures by which its progress may be stayed and its fatality miti- gated are now well known to be within the scope of sanitary preventive operations. Moreover we are encouraged to believe that not only may it be disarmed of much of its present terrors, but that, in the future, we may anticipate a great diminution of its intensity, or, it may be, as in the case of such great epidemics as the “ Black Death,” and “ Sweating Sickness,” and others which desolated Europe * A Lecture addressed to the Young Men’s Christian Association, at Exeter Hall, 2nd March, 1886. Col. the Lord Wantage KCB V.C., presiding. ’’