ary, and to examine them and see if they could be
admitted to hospital. Thirdly, to inspect the water supply. Fourthly, to
inspect the food and aid in the prosecution of those selling food unfit
for use. Fifthly, to visit all vessels arriving, and when fish, cattle
or food were on board, inspect everything before it can be landed.
Sixthly, to inspect all cattle, sheep and hogs before they could be
slaughtered to see if they were healthy, from which it must be inferred
that the Medical Health Officer had studied veterinary medicine as well.
I regret to say this was not the case." (This was the Doctor's modesty,
but Steele says the knowledge of veterinary science he displayed was
remarkable.) And then the Doctor adds in his humorous way: "Now, from
the above, it must be plain that the Medical Health Officer led an
exceedingly active and useful life." And we agree with him. And the
Doctor goes on to give us a vivid picture of conditions in Dawson City
when he took hold: "We found practically one vast swamp, which is
usually navigable in the early spring, still in almost a primitive
condition, or even worse, cesspools and filth of all kinds occupying
irregular positions, typhoid fever and scurvy rife in the land. We
immediately went to work to put the house in order, getting out all the
garbage and refuse on the ice in the early spring, so that it might be
carried down the river at the break up. We then specified places at
which garbage, etc., should be dumped. We had the streets cleaned, by
prison and other labour, had offensive material removed and rubbish
burnt, while the Governor, with great vigour, inaugurated a system of
drainage, so that in a short time the change excited the wonder and
admiration of the people." The doctor is evidently fond of Scriptural
phrases, for above he has spoken about "putting the house in order," and
now he adds: "We had, of course, some difficulties to contend with, the
fact that people to a large extent were 'strangers and pilgrims,' and
unaccustomed to any restrictions unless those of a primitive order." But
the Doctor, with the aid of the Mounted Police officers already named,
as well as Corporals Wilson, McPhail and the men generally, triumphed
and made the place healthy. Perhaps there is nothing more remarkable in
the record of the Police than the way in which, wherever they were
stationed, they always fought epidemics and disease amongst Indians or
whites or Esquimaux to the utter disr