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Mr. J. J. KESWICK-I fully concur with the view of the Chamber of Commerce that quarantine as applied at the present time is of no use, and that apart from its uselessness it gives rise to an immense amount of inconvenience and trouble to the shipping interests of the port.
Dr. CANTLIE examined.
The Chairman-We want your opinion, Dr. CANTLIE, upon this question of quarantine. Suppose a ship comes into port with persons suffering from cholera what would you do with the other persons who are not ill?
A.-I would at once discharge them.
Q.-Suppose there were one or two others suspected?
A.—If there were any suffering from diarrhea I should detain them and send them to hospital.
Q.-The quarantine hulk or the hospital?
A.-The same place as the others.
Q.-The remainder of the passengers you would immediately discharge?
A. Yes.
Q.-You would not keep them for three days, as is imperatively required in the regulations?
A. No, I should send those suffering from cholera to the hulk. The other persons suspected I should send to the same place. I do not think it is possible for a choleraic patient to directly infect others. When cholera prevails diarrhoea is to be regarded as a preliminary symptom and the person suffering should be dealt with as if suffering from cholera.
Q.-He might object to going there?
A.-I can conceive the strong objection of some men.
Still if the suspicion
of cholera is upon that man then he had better be on the hulk. If there is a suspicion that he is infected why should he be allowed to mix with the community? Q. What would you say in reference to small-pox? If a ship arrives with cases on board?
A.-I should send those to the hospital.
Q.-And the others who were not ill?
A.
I should discharge.
Q. And those who had some symptoms of some disease would you segregate them?
A.—I would not, I would let them go. Small-pox is not infectious until after the disease has developed itself. It is not infectious in the early stages, therefore, there is no risk of giving it to the community. It depends on the local authorities to protect themselves and as the disease is very evident and the evidences of the disease are apparent before it is infectious I do not see any use in quaranteening the
nien.
Q.-In your opinion, do you think that, as a general measure, it is necessary to keep healthy people on a ship for even three days, even if she has had sickness?
A.-No, suspected cases only need be put under observation.
Q.-Until the medical officer should discharge them?
A. Yes, the person who was suffering from diarrhea on a cholera ship should be provided for. That might necessitate an observation station or a bulk.
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