21 NOVEMBER 1931, Page 50

QUARANTINE.

As an illustration of the stringency with which quarantine was observed eighty years ago I think that it may be interesting to quote a passage from my father's letter written to my mother and dated November 19th, 1852. My father was the medical officer on board : " We are here with the yellow-flag flying at the mast-head and no one is allowed to leave the ship.

" We are guarded by two Government ships with armed men to shoot any person who might attempt to escape."