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val with cholera is a complex affair ; it includes man and his clothing, personal effects,
merchandise, animals, the ship which carries him, and, in short, all that accompanies
the man. Is all that constitutes an arrival equally capable of transmitting the disease ?
It was a long while believed that the lapse of a few days between the depar-
ture and arrival without appearance of cholera was a sufficient guarantee against the
importation of the disease. But well attested facts show that even a long voyage,
without appreciable accidents, does not ensure against danger. On the other hand,
it is certain that the regular packet boats, that for many years have plied with India,
have never imported cholera into Suez. Without at present entering into particulars,
it may be concluded that, even if every arrival from a country affected with cholera
be not capable of propagating the disease, it is not the less prudent, pending fuller
information, to consider every arrival as suspicious.
"Question 11th.-What are the conditions in which man imports cholera ?
"Answer.-There is no doubt as to man being the principal agent in the
importation of the disease. The arrival of a great number suffering with cholera is
not necessary for the causing of a great epidemic. A few sick, or even a single case,
may suffice. There is no proportion between the amount of cholera imported and the
intensity of the ensuing epidemic. The intensity is influenced by the more or the less
favorable conditions of the locality, as a conflagration is not in proportion to the spark
that kindles it, but to the inflammability and the quantity of material that it meets
with. One person with cholera may occasion an epidemic.
" Question 12th.-Can an individual with only Choleraic Diarrha, commu-
nicate Cholera ?
" Answer.-A person coming from a source of Cholera, and although suffer-
ing only with Diarrha, may import the disease.
" Question 13th.-What is the length of the time of incubation ?
"Answer.-In nearly all cases the period of incubation, that is the time lapsed
between the moment when a person can have contracted the choleraic poisoning and
the beginning of the premonitory Diarrha, or confirmed Cholera, does not exceed a few
days ; all the cited facts of a longer incubation are referable to cases which are not con-
clusive, either because the premonitory Diarrha has been included in the period of
incubation, or because the infection may have occurred after leaving the infected place.
"Question 14th.-Can Cholera be imported and communicated by living
animals ?
" Answer.-There is no known fact that proves that Cholera may be import-
ed by living animals; but it is reasonable to consider them in certain cases as suscep-
tible articles.
" Question 15th.-Can Cholera be imported and transmitted by linen cloth-
ing, and generally by things in personal use ?
" Answer.-Cholera can be transmitted by articles of personal property com-
ing from an infected place, and especially by those which have been used by sufferers
under Cholera; and certain facts prove that the disease may be carried to a distance by
such articles, shut up from the access of fresh air.