Commercial. No. 29 (1883). Despatch from Sir Edward Malet, inclosing a report by Surgeon-General Hunter on the cholera epidemic in Egypt.

  • Malet, Edward, Sir, 1837-1908.
Date:
1883
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Commercial. No. 29 (1883). Despatch from Sir Edward Malet, inclosing a report by Surgeon-General Hunter on the cholera epidemic in Egypt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    Despatch from Sir Edward Malet, inclosing a Report by Surgeon- General Hunter on the Cholera Epidemic in Egypt. No. l. Sir E. Malet to Earl Granville.—(Received August 14.) My Lord, Cairo, August 6, 1883. I HA YE the honour to inclose copy of a Eeport which Surgeon-General Hunter has addressed to me, giving an account of his proceedings and observations since his arrival in Cairo. [ have &c. (Signed) ’ EDWAED B. MALET. Inclosure in No. 1. Surge on-General Hunter to Sir E. Malet. Sir, Cairo, August 6, 1883. IT would seem desirable that I should now make, for the information of Her Majesty’s Government, a short statement of my proceedings since my arrival in this capital on the afternoon of the 26th ultimo. I therefore beg to submit the following prdcis. I have daily, or almost daily, visited different parts of the city and its suburbs, and there is hardly a district with the condition of which I am not more or less familiar. It is simply an abuse of words to talk of sanitation in connection with Cairo, every sanitary law being grossly set at defiance. The canals are, in many instances, little better than sewers, and no precautions, at least none deserving the name, are taken to keep the source of the water supply from contamination by excreta and filth. Conditions for the development and spread of disease in almost every form, epidemic or otherwise, abound. They are here, there, and everywhere present to the sight, smell, and taste. Much had been done previous to my arrival as regards surface cleansing of the streets and gutters; much has been done since, and at present the city may be said to be fairly clean. This, in itself, must have been a Herculean task, and reflects great credit on those concerned. This is a decided gain, but the evil has deeper roots, which will require vigorous and carefully-directed measures for its repression. I have visited several of the hospitals, and among others, Kasr-el-Ain and the Ibrahim Pasha Hospital, the latter, a building extemporized for cholera cases, and the expense of which is borne by his Highness Prince Ibrahim Pasha. I have consequently had opportunities of witnessing numerous examples of the disease now epidemic in this country, and I am of opinion that in all essential features its type does not differ from the cholera which I have so frequently had under observa- tion in India. It is gratifying to be able to state that the epidemic' is on the wane, although still widespread over the country, and the type, as usual in declining epidemics, is much less severe. The number of deaths from this disease reported up to the 31st July is said to be 12,600. Eegistration is, however, so defective that this statement must be taken with much reservation. I am inclined to think that it is nearly double this total. The organisation of the Medical Department is in a most primitive condition, and many of its officers are quite incompetent. The latter are broadly accused of being ignorant, and of neglecting their duty through personal fear. That there are many honourable exceptions to this rule I believe; nevertheless, I regret to state that instances of the allegations preferred have come to my personal knowledge. [1255] B 2