Chapter 86: The New President's Ambition

Cholera was a world disease in the 19th century. Google search reading

Due to the short incubation period of cholera, it only takes three to five days to kill the host. For thousands of years, cholera has only raged in the magical place of the Ganges River in India.

But everything changed with the British colonization of India.

The Indians took the British ship to the Arab region for pilgrimage, and cholera arrived in the Arab region with their beliefs.

After the Arab region, Africa and the Mediterranean coastal areas also fell quickly, followed by Afghanistan and Russia, and soon spread to the entire European continent.

In 1832, this terrible disease arrived in North America with the fast merchant ships crossing the Atlantic from Europe, and the United States also fell.

The whole of America, especially the big cities in the eastern United States, has been shrouded in the shadow of cholera since 1832.

When cholera was serious, even a prosperous big city like New York was dead, and hundreds of people died almost every day.

Doctors are still helpless against this disease, even their own president cannot cure it.

President Fillmore, who had just taken office, was determined to eradicate the cholera that was ravaging America.

This was an epidemic that even Britain was helpless against, and the fear it brought to people was no less than the Black Death in the Middle Ages.

If he could defeat cholera, Fillmore would not only be able to enhance his prestige among the people, but also lay a solid foundation for his re-election three years later. (Fillmore succeeded the president as vice president, not as a president who won the election)

It would also allow America to be proud of the European powers and enhance America's international prestige. It was a good thing to kill two birds with one stone.

Therefore, after confirming that California's experience in preventing and controlling cholera was indeed effective, Fillmore printed documents on California's experience in preventing and controlling cholera to all states and attached a manual.

He hoped that the states could try to use California's methods to fight cholera.

New York is the largest city in the United States. In 1850, New York City had an urban population of nearly 700,000.

In 1850, the total population of the United States was only 23,192,000.

New York was the pride of Americans during this period, just as the Chinese people in later generations liked to compare Shanghai with international metropolises such as New York and Tokyo.

Whenever Americans of this era talked about New York, they also liked to compare New York with international metropolises such as London and Paris.

Although there was still a big gap between New York and London and Paris at this time.

The population of London's urban area had exceeded two million, and it was still the world's financial center. Paris, which was slightly inferior to London, also had a population of one million in the urban area, making it the second largest city in Europe after London.

The urban planning of this era was generally poor, especially for cities like New York that were built relatively early.

The urban drainage system was not smooth, and there were only a few streets that had completed hardening of the roads except for the main streets.

Municipal services were also imperfect, the sanitation of the city was worrying, and people's awareness of sanitation was not very good.

Especially in the slums where sewage and excrement flowed, mosquitoes and flies flew everywhere, and the stench was emitting.

This place is simply a hotbed of epidemics.

Except for politicians who come here reluctantly to canvass for votes during elections, holding their noses in disgust and making beautiful but unfulfilled promises to the ragged poor, almost no celebrities care about this forgotten corner.

Speaking of celebrities, at this time, the New York Medical Association, famous local doctors were gathering together to discuss documents and manuals sent from Washington.

As the floors of buildings in New York are getting higher and higher, the lighting of the lower buildings is getting worse and worse.

Even during the day, the New York Medical Association building had to light up expensive whale oil lamps for lighting.

"The government is desperate and trying all kinds of methods. Politicians in Washington, including the newly elected president, don't know anything about cholera. I don't believe that the level of those wild doctors in California can cure cholera. Many of them don't even have the qualifications to practice medicine."

By the light of the whale oil lamp, Slattery, the president of the New York Medical Association, hastily read the so-called summary of California's epidemic prevention experience and the cholera prevention and control manual that he thought was ridiculous.

Slattery tapped the sturdy oak desk to attract the attention of the doctors.

He emphasized: "All of you here are the most skilled doctors in New York. I don't think anyone knows cholera better than us."

"These ignorant wild doctors, who think they have cured a few cholera patients by chance, exaggerate and claim to have controlled cholera in the whole of California.

They even dared to openly question the miasma theory, a recognized authority in the medical community. Could it be that the professional doctors in New York and even London are less knowledgeable than them?"

Dr. Gerard, who immigrated to New York during President Monroe's time, also sneered at this.

Before immigrating to New York, his father and grandfather were already famous doctors in London, treating many aristocrats and celebrities.

"The words of those doctors in California who are blinded by gold cannot be trusted! Those people only have gold in their eyes."

Slattery said.

He was unwilling to believe that the medical skills of New York doctors would be inferior to those of California doctors.

"The reality is that those doctors who know cholera best are still helpless against cholera."

Robert, vice president of the New York Medical Association, disagreed with this and refuted Straley's point of view.

"I know this Dr. Robinson. He and I were classmates and good friends. His wife and daughter both died of cholera. He went to California to pan for gold in order to escape reality, get out of this shadow, and find a new life.

His medical skills are better than mine, and I also know his character well. He will not make fun of this life-threatening matter.

Gentlemen, I received Dr. Robinson's letter two weeks ago and have used his method to cure fifty-six cholera patients. Only one old gentleman with a weak immune system died unfortunately.

Facts speak louder than words, and I think we should put aside our arrogance and prejudice and adopt all reasonable opinions.

Whether you are a doctor in New York or a doctor in California, everyone is a doctor, there is no distinction between high and low. "

After listening to Vice President Robert's speech, the doctors talked a lot. They had also heard about Dr. Robert's heroic deeds of curing fifty-six cholera patients in two weeks.

But they didn't expect that Robert was using a method from California to cure cholera.

"Even if it is true, what are you going to do? Mr. Robert, New York is an international metropolis. New York City alone has a population of 700,000. The population of California as a whole is probably less than one-tenth of New York's!

If they follow their method to isolate and treat cholera patients, it will require the use of government power, cost a lot of money, and will also have an impact on New York's economy.

If it can be cured, it's a blessing. If it can't be cured, who will bear the responsibility? We doctors? ” Slattery still disagrees with the treatment options.

"Yes, Doctor Robert, many of those cholera patients are poor people in the slums. They can't afford the high medical fees. To cure them, we have to pay for the medical expenses." Gerald stood firmly in front of President Slater. Benefit this side.

"I'm going to visit Governor Hamilton Fish, and since the government has sent us these documents, I think the government is determined to defeat cholera.

Of course, before visiting Governor Fish, I will first visit the mayor to seek his support.

At least let the mayor order the water pumps in the slums to be turned off. I have seen the water there. It exudes an indescribable stench. It must be a contaminated water source and is no longer suitable for drinking. " said Robert.

"Robert, are you crazy? Turn off the water supply in the slums, and those beggars will fight you to death! Let me declare in advance that this is your personal suggestion and has nothing to do with me or the New York Medical Association!" Slattery said.

"California's medical conditions are far inferior to ours in New York. There is no reason why New York can't do what California can do." Robert said to Slattery in a mocking tone.

"Mr. Slattery, you look down on the wild doctors in California, but you are not as good as them now. At least they dare to act instead of sitting in the office drinking coffee and talking."

"Robert! What do you mean?! Please remember, I am the president of the New York Medical Association, and I am also a member of the House of Representatives. Please speak with more respect!" Slattery stood up and yelled. road.

"That is even more disgraceful, Mr. Slattery. Not only are you an incompetent doctor, you are also an incompetent Member of Parliament, Mr. Member."

There is no mutual agreement, and Robert is too lazy to waste words with insects like Slattery.

He turned around and left gracefully. After a short period of thinking, some doctors with conscience quickly made a decision and followed Robert out of the medical association.