HINTS FOR THE MEDICAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
Sin—In your paper of the 9th instant, you gave forth to the public a list of eminent men, composing a Medical Council of the Board of Health ; and you publish at the same time a set of suggestions whioh are considered by them as precautions against cholera. I have spoken of the gentlemen forming the Council as being eminent, and doubtless they are, not only from the reputation they have acquired as practitioners, but from the positions to which they have been raised in consequence of their attainments; but what I would wish you to consider is this—are they, alone, the best qualified to offer hints and suggestions regarding a disease supposed to be of Asiatic origin, and which has hitherto been but little known in this country? Why have not Indian medical men, who have spent many of their best years in dealing with this formidable enemy to man, been summoned to the Council ? They surely could have afforded some help, and probably would at once have pointed out remedies capable of being placed within every man's grasp, and which it is clear are wanting. I am not a medical man myself, and there- fore have no interest—save this—that in a matter of such importance I desire, "pro bone," that the best aid should be sought, and given. It is ridiculous to tell the poor man that "you must not expose yourself to wet— that you must not fast—that you must eat moderately, when you eat at all— that you must always keep yourself clean." These suggestions are truly useful, when they can be conveniently put into practice ; but are they generally suited to the poor man, who must expose himself to work, and work hard, or fast ? And when you tell him "always to flee to a doctor in the first stage of his illness," even this may not be within his reach. Having spent many of my own days under a Tropical sun, and having had the power conferred upon me to give aid for the subjugation of such cases, I would humbly recommend some such course as I pursued, and it was this—that medicine, with suitable directions, should be kept at all police-stations, for the purpose of being supplied to those who stood in need of it. This method did not compel a patient to seek out his doctor, or the doctor his patient; but it inspired confidence, and it tended to meet the evil, to a great extent, by the sick man receiving and taking at once that which was necessary for his complaint. Writers may expatiate on the virtues of castor oil—I have often heard of the beneficial results of soda water and brandy, and of the free use and efficiency of salt and water ; and oftener still of that medicine which has of itself worked endless cures, and which is better known in India than in this country by the name of "Jeremy's opiate." But I am not, as I say, a medical man, prepared to point out a prescription, or to argue in favour of any particular medicine or potion : still I might fearlessly assert that the suggestions of the Board of Health are mild indeed. The seeds of cholera, Sir, are deep-rooted, but fortunately bear no infection, and quickly spring up in those localities whither the wind wafts them ; and root they will take, in spite of chloride of lime and zinc workings. To meet the emergency, therefore, sage opinions should be sought of those who have long been dealing with the deformity in every possible manner, and whose counsel becomes valuable for the very reason that they bring with them that experience which others, however eminent, cannot have acquired, or do
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