The terror of the tents, or, Quarantine restrictions as imposed and enforced in Jamaica during the prevalence of small-pox, under so-called paternal government.

Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The terror of the tents, or, Quarantine restrictions as imposed and enforced in Jamaica during the prevalence of small-pox, under so-called paternal government. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    to the tents and hospitals, and to distrust the intentions of the Government, and I hesitate not to say, are producing among the lower orders a thorough contempt for, and want of confidence in so-called sanitary measures, and for the Medical Profession—at which every right thinking and in- dependent member of that profession must be grieved and indignant. As a humble but honest member of that profession, and as one of its seniors in this island, I now respectfully but firmly call upon the Government to see that medical men in the employ of the Government are distinctly made to understand what their duties are, and to perform them, too, fully and faithfully, and not by their supineness or neglect to bring discredit and shame upon the profession generally —a profession the members of which, above all others, have at all times, and in all parts of the Globe, been dis- tinguished for their disinterested devotedness to those un- der their charge, especially during pestilence. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, LEWIS Q. BOWERBANK. The Honble. E. Rushworth, D.C.L., Colonial Secretary. The Colonial Secretary to Dr. BoiverlanJr. No. 3881. Colonial Secretary's Office, Jamaica, 21st June, ]872. Sir, The Governor desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 6th instant, on the subject of the practice that prevails of holding wakes over the corpses of persons who have died of Small-pox, and of the manner in which Sanitary Laws are generally enforced.