The Evening Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2525, 21 March 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1871.

On Saturday we published a letter addressed to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to adopt measures to check the spread of scarlet fever in the Province, and to institute enquiries into the proceedings of the Board of Health when the Kobert Henderson arrived. We are glad to see that the subject has at length been rw

thought worthy investigation. On the 31st January we published a description of the arrangements at the Quarantine Island, and pointed out their utter inadequacy to the requirements of passengers arriving in a vessel with infectious disease on hoard. It is somewhat surprising that so little attention should have been given to this subject, although perhaps, like all evils, it has not pressed upon the public conscience, because no personal danger has hitherto resulted from its existence. We wish it could be brought to every man’s mind that the spread of scarlet fever is the result of inattention to one of the first dictates of humanity in regard to immigrants. The letter we published refers to the “ proceed- “ ings of the Board of Health ” on the arrival of the Robert Henderson. We know of no better way of arriving at a conclusion in respect to them than the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry. We believe that, on investigation, it will be found that the Board made the best of the very bad materials at cojnraand, and that the real fault has been not placing in their hands means to enable them to fulfil quarantine duties effectually. We are not acquainted with the history of this Board of Health, nor with its powers, but we should imagine that its minutes would point to the folly of allowing men unacquainted with medical science to sit in judgment upon and to have control over sanitary arrangements. There is always, to some extent, a clashing of interests between the public and the merchant and ship owner, when a vessel is placed in quarantine. The public requires that sufficient time shall elapse before admission to pratique, to be assured that no danger of infection remains—the immediate interest of the merchant and ship owner is to save the cost of delay. This is easily estimated when the rate of demurrage is considered ; and we have heard of high prices having been offered for a clean certificate in different ports : though to the honor of the medical profession, we never heard of one being granted under such circumstances. But in the case of the Robert Henderson the fault rests with ourselves. Whatever steps may be necessary to check the spread of fever, we have no difficulty in tracing its advent to its fountain head. Referring our readers to the description we gave of our quarantine establishment, it will be seen that if it were designed to construct buildings intended to foster and perpetuate disease, science could hardly have adopted surer means. Some naval architect seems to have undertaken, in imitation of ship arrangements, to make room for the stowage of the greatest number of people into the smallest decent space ; and in addition to this, we have a non-medical health officer., and no responsible supervising medical practitioner. This branch of sanitary economy is now seen to be one that requires more than ordinary attention. It is like police expenditure, the greatest profit to the community wlicn the least seen in active operation. Prevention of evil is the object in both cases. It is better to pay for being kept in health and safety, than for curing disease and punishing crime. But the nature of the case requires that any investigation should be conducted by men capable of at least comprehending something of medical testimony. We do not undervalue the acuteness of our M.P.O.s, but as a rule they are better able to grapple with £ s. d. than sanitary science ; and though they will have to deal with the matter, a Commission woidd prepare the ground for them, and llglit -fcliem on -their way. One point, we think, ought to be stated, to : shew that the Government are not inattentive to what is required. Noti withstanding the turmoil of the elec- ; tions, the XJnder-Seeretary forwarded to every schoolmaster dn the Province ' and to the authorities a -copy of precautions to be observed wherever they have control, to prevent the outbreak and spread of fever.