1 Ml*. FROM A. P. S. .SANITARY COMMITTEE. The following Report'of the Medical Commission appointed to visit Montreal and Quebec, was read, and ordered to be published. SAMUEL DAVIS, June 8, 1832. Secy of Sanitary Committee* The Medical Commission appointed by the Sanitary Committee to visit Canada, for the purpose of making investigations concerning the epidemic disease prevailing there, in anticipation of a more detailed report, which will be laid before the Committee in a few days, present the following general conclusions as the result of their observations, which they flatter themselves will tend to allay the public anxiety. Ist. The disease so lately an epidemic in Montreal and Quebec, and Which now prevails in the city of New- York, and is extending throughout the country, is malignant Cholera, the same that has ravaged Asia; and spread its devastations over Europe, under the name of Asiatic and Spasmodic Cholera. 2d. That they have not been able to ascertain any positive unequivocal fact to justify a belief that it is a disease communicated by those affected with it, or is one of importation. 3d. That during the prevalence of the epidemic cow stitution or influence, a general predisposition exists in the whole community, from which very few individuals are exempt, productive of a liability to the disease. fCE a. i 4th. That this predisposition is manifested by embarrassed and difficult digestion,, sense of heat, fulness, uneasiness or pain in the abdomen, irregularity of bowels,, a furred and pasty tongue, a sense of general debility, with frequency of cramps or contractions in the muscles of the extremities, especially at night. sth. That this state of predisposition will not give rise to an attack of the disease, without the application of an exciting cause. 6th. That the exciting causes of the disease are moral excitements, especially from the passions of fear and anger; intemperance in the use of fermented and spirituous liquors, or in eating, overloading the stomach; acid drinks, or large draughts of cold water; the use of crude indigestible food, whether animal or vegetable, particularly the latter; excessive exertion or fatigue in the heat of the day ; exposure to the night air, sitting in currents of air, and particularly sleeping with too light covering, and with the windows raised, except the rooms are very small and confined. Most of the attacks occur in the night, from 11 or 12 o'clock, to 3 or 4 in the morning. 7th. That prudence in living during the epidemic period, which continues from six weeks to three months, the wearing of flannel, particularly on the body, keeping the feet warm and dry, the avoidance of improper food and drinks, tranquility of mind and body, are almost certain guaranties against the assaults of the disease, and disarm the pestilence of its malignity. Bth. That the disease, when abandoned to its course, passes through different stages, in all of which it is easily controlled, except one — the cold stage, or period of col- I 2 3 j/a , Ğuu .it is in uuiiuoi vVt-i j iii Mdiii t pi eCCUCCI Uy the symptoms of the forming stage, when the disease, if timely treated, is arrested with facility. 9th. That the symptoms of this forming stage should be generally promulgated, and persons instructed of tjic necessity of an immediate attention to them. It is ignorance in this respect, amongst the labouring and lower lasses of society, leading to indifference and inattention, ogether with their habits of life, that plunge so many )elonging to those conditions, in the desperate situation o frequently met with, when medical aid and human kill are utterly unavailing. Those symptoms arc, a sudden looseness of the bowels, the discharges becoming thin, watery and colorless or whitish, with little odour — vertigo or dizziness — nausea, oppression, pain and cramps of the stomach, with retching and vomiting of a fluid generally resembling dirty rice water, attended or soon followed by cramps of the extremities, particularly of the legs and thighs. 10th. When the foregoing symptoms appear, application for remedial assistance must be made immediately. The delay of an hour may usher in the cold stage, or period of exanimated prostration and collapse, from which it is almost impossible to resuscitate the expiring energies of the economy. 11th. That every preparation should be made by the public authorities, in anticipation of the appearance of the disease, providing the means of treatment for those who cannot command them, so that aid may be promptly administered to all the moment of attack. These means are — a number of small hospitals, or houses of reception, * can be procured in the night without delay; the evacuation of certain localities, where the occurrence of numerous cases indicates a pestiferous influence, and the furnishing to the poor, as far as practicable, wholesome and nourishing food. By the adoption and observance of the foregoing means ofprecaution and prevention, in addition to the sanative measures already in operation, the commission are convinced that the prevalence of the disease will be greatly circumscribed, its mortality diminished, and the public guarded against panic and alarm, the great sources of dange — and, under the blessing of Divine Providence, the pestilence will be shorn of its terrors, and mitigated in its destructive fury. SAMUEL JACKSON, CHAS. D. MEIGS, RICHARD HARLAN. . July Bth, 1832.