Letter from Florence Nightingale to William Rathbone MP, 22 September 1882 [image 1 of 6]

Description

In this letter, dated 22 September 1882, F.N. discusses the results of her recent enquiry to the Army Sanitary Commission in London regarding the Bangor epidemic. She says that Dr Sutherland recommends a book by Dr Mutchinson on continued fevers. F.N. has sent this book to William Rathbone but she feels it to be too medical. She has also sent Dr Marston's paper which is 'the latest and by far the best information', but is also very medical. She asks Mr Rathbone to obtain the Inspector's report and accounts of the 'measures adopted after the inspection' so that she and the Army Sanitary Commission can advise without appearing to the Local Board of Health to be interfering. She alludes to the 'water poison theory' and points out that in India 'not a single enteric fever case has been traced to enteric fever poison either in or out of water'. She recommends investigation of 'all the house closets and pipes and also the street drains and whether the subsoil is dry and clean'. She requests that this information is sent to her 'quietly, between you and me' so that she can get an opinion from the London authorities. She remarks: 'this Bangor Typhoid is so disastrous a thing that we are thankful you have gone to the spot'.