§ Lord Althorphaving moved the Order of the Day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of Supply,
§ Mr. Huntbegged to take the opportunity of stating one or two facts which had come to his knowledge respecting some cases of Cholera Morbus, in the hope that his Majesty's Ministers would take care to prevent a repetition of such conduct. A man in the early part of the day had been attacked by the disease at Hoxton. A surgeon pronounced it a decided case of Spasmodic Cholera, and the individual in question was taken in a coach to Bartholomew's Hospital, where he was refused admittance, as no Cholera cases were taken in there. He was next carried to the building in Abchurch-lane, given up by the Lord Mayor for the time being, and to be at the disposal of the Board of Health, as was understood, for Cholera 471 patients; but the man was also refused admission there, as the house was only for individuals in the neighbourhood. He was next conveyed to the Surrey Dispensary, in consequence of an advertisement that all persons would be received there without tickets. It appeared, however, that he could not remain there; and, after having been bled by the surgeon of the establishment, he was finally carried to an empty house in St. George's-fields, opposite Bedlam. Now, when he said he hoped Government would prevent a repetition of such a case, all he meant to say was, that it was their duty to see that suitable places were provided in each district, and that a person afflicted with the disease should not be hawked about through the city to Bedlam. He did not mean to impute any blame to the Lord Mayor; on the contrary, he thought his Lordship deserving of great praise for giving up the building, and for the convenience provided. The fact was, the house in Abchurch-lane was intended only for persons in the neighbourhood of the Exchange; and, to the credit of the authorities, it was amply provided with both clothes and flannel, which would be distributed when wanted. The nobles of Moscow gave up their mansions to those afflicted with the disease, and he was glad to find that the Lord Mayor had done the same, and set an example worthy of imitation. Another case was that of a sailor, who had been conveyed in a cabriolet in a similar way, from one place to another, and at last placed with the other patient in the house opposite. He thought it was extremely improper that coaches and cabriolets should be used in such a way. It was remarkable that, in a district like that of Hoxton, no receiving-house had been prepared.
§ Mr. Alderman Venablessaid, it was very true that the person just alluded to by the hon. Member had been refused admittance in the city temporary hospital, but the case had turned out not to be one of Cholera at all. The man had recovered, and there was no reason to believe he had suffered from Cholera.
Sir Robert Peelrose to express his great regret that hon. Members, in bringing forward cases of that kind, should do it in a way which would have a tendency materially to injure large classes in the metropolis. After what had fallen from the hon. member for Preston, it would go 472 forth to the public to-morrow that the public conveyances were used in conveying Cholera patients to the hospitals. What the hon. Member ought to have done was, to take the number, and state the circumstance to some member of the Government. He was sure the hon. Member would be as sorry as any one to make a statement which might involve in distress a large and industrious class of individuals, and was convinced, if the hon. Member had been aware of the consequence, he would not have publicly made such an announcement. He, therefore, hoped, that Members, in mentioning any cases, would carefully avoid stating needlessly what might injure individuals.
§ Lord Althorpentirely concurred in what had fallen from the right hon. Baronet, and could only follow up the remarks which he had made. When hon. Members had any particular cases to mention, or grievance to complain of, it would be desirable, in the first place, that they should state them to some of his Majesty's Ministers, or some one connected with the Government. Unless Gentlemen observed discretion in a case of that kind, useless alarm might be given, which would only tend to add to the evil, and injure private individuals.
§ Mr. Huntsaid, he had endeavoured to get the number of the cabriolet, but could not. As to what fell from the hon. Alderman, he could only say, that he had sent his servant to the house in St. George's-fields, and at half-past three the man was in extreme danger.
Mr. Humewas rather surprised at what had fallen from the hon. member for Preston, as he had understood from the Chairman of the Board of Health, that places for the reception of patients were prepared in every district. He, therefore, thought there must be some mistake in saying that there was no such place at Hoxton. If such, however, was the fact, he submitted to the noble Lord the necessity of immediately providing proper houses for the purpose.
§ Mr. Alderman Venableswished to know whether Government had made any new regulations respecting quarantine, now that the disease had shown itself in the metropolis.
§ Lord Althorpcould not answer the question at present.