The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1884. Pestilence

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 22, 31 July 1884, Page 2

The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1884. Pestilence

The philosophical indifference displayed by the Government with reference to the outbreak of small pox in Victoria — although it may be the evidence of well-regulated minds which are not easily to be excited or led to hasty action by alarmist telegrams — is not at all satisfying to the public at large, who, irom ignorance or prejudice, are unable to calmly watch the progress of so terrible a disease as that which is territying England and threatening the Colonies. We do not imply that the Government is neglecting altogether to take precautionary measures, but we think that their prudence and care for com- ! mercial interests has perhaps blinded them to the well being of the people, j It would also have been showing a want of politeness, to say the least of it, if an embargo was put on vessels arriving from infected parts, as His Excellency the Governor, who has just arrived from thence, would, with his suite, have been subjected to all I the inconveniences cf quarantine on Somes' Island, in Wellington Harbor — a most remarkably bleak and unpleasant place for gubernatorial residence at this time of year. Now it is safe to expect that " more vigorous measures will be resorted to," His Excellency being safely housed in the Empire City. It is promised that " should it be decided not to enforce a general quarantine, every precaution will be taken by the health officers to prevent the disease being carried into this Colony, by their making a minute examination of every vessel for traces of the disease, and should any be found, the vessels and passengers will be quarantined for the full period." This may be possible but we doubt it. Steamers now run from Melbourne to the Bluff under six days and an infected person might easily be landed there and the disease not develop itself for several days after arrival. Small pox is the effect of specific contagion, which may be communicated by contact or even through the air. There is no disease of which the contagion is so sure and which operates at a greater distance than that of small pox. The poison begins to manifest itself about twelve days after its absorption. Thus a person flying from Victoria in dread of this awful disease might pass through the whole of the South Island, leaving a track behind him of pestilence and death, the end of which no man can tell. The value of commerce no one can appreciate more than ourselves, but we place the value of human life on a higher grade. No means can be too stringent if it is believed or known that by their exercise the ills of suffering humanity can be averted or alleviated.