The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 533 - 277 Busy Scotland Yard (4K6)_3

Inspector Matthews, standing to the side, heard this and sternly turned to Minister Rowan, asking, "Minister, since I got up this morning, the word ’cholera’ has been continuously echoing in my ears. How is this disease different from typhus and yellow fever? Does it really warrant such a massive response from us?"

Upon hearing this, Rowan suddenly shifted his gaze towards Arthur: "I don’t understand much about diseases. To be honest, I am also quite confused right now, and the Home Office seems to have no plans to discuss anything with us for the time being. If any of you are familiar with the situation, perhaps you could enlighten the rest of us."

Arthur rose and opened the document he was holding: "Regarding cholera, according to the information just obtained by the intelligence agency, it is an endemic disease originating from the subcontinent of South Asia. This outbreak of cholera was likely introduced by a merchant ship returning from Hamburg to Sunderland."

The doctors described that the onset of cholera is fierce and difficult to cure. Once identified, the disease claims lives within a few hours to a few days. Those who die from cholera are severely dehydrated, almost entirely drained of bodily fluids, significantly reduced in weight, disfigured beyond recognition, resembling skeletons, and their skin turns bluish-grey. Due to its gruesome presentation and rapid transmission, many have begun referring to it as the ’Blue Death.’

As it is well known, cholera has been prevalent on the European Continent for some time now. In fact, Britain had initiated cholera prevention measures a year ago. Since 1829, the Duke of Wellington, serving as the Governor of the Cinque Ports, ordered the reimplementation of strict medieval quarantine measures to prevent the entry of the plague at ports he controlled such as Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, Sandwich, Rye, and Winchelsea. Any ships suspected by quarantine authorities of bringing cholera risk were to be isolated outside the ports for 40 to 80 days..."

Hearing this, Inspector Matherville could not help but interject: "I guess they mostly didn’t enforce it strictly, did they? After all, the people of the Cinque Ports alliance have been arrogant and unruly for centuries, although it’s not the Middle Ages when they were at their peak, but their pride is hard to compare to that of any ordinary place."

Inspector Mosley, playing with his pen, agreed: "Indeed, aside from them, I can’t think of any other sailors who would dare to raid their own country’s cities. Back then, their fleets sailed under the flag of the ’Royal Navy of the Cinque Ports’ completely independent of the command of the navy admiral."

Minister Rowan raised his hand to stop them, addressing Arthur, "Back to the subject of cholera."

Arthur continued, "Although the news of the cholera was only announced today, according to feedback from various regions, it has likely been in Britain for several weeks already. London is neither its first stop nor will it be the last. And according to experiences from places like India and Russia, the duration of this cholera outbreak may well last up to a year."

"This..."

"A year?"

The inspectors, after listening to Arthur’s explanation, felt itchy all over, as if they were about to contract cholera themselves.

Some of the more hot-tempered inspectors couldn’t help but bang their tobacco pipes on the table: "Since the situation is so serious, why hasn’t the Home Office issued orders yet? According to past practices, we should be locking down the infected areas and burning the bodies immediately. By the way, Inspector Hastings, has it been clarified what is transmitting this cholera? Do we need to catch more rats on the streets or something?"

Arthur unfolded the document and spread it out in front of the inspectors: "The question you asked is also what the doctors are most eager to figure out. Moreover, the reason the Cabinet is hesitating is due to disagreements within the medical community."

"Ah? Didn’t we send people to Russia for an investigation? Did they spend all that time just to end up with disagreements?"

"With all these knife-wielders dawdling, the number of deaths they may cause could soon surpass that of Scotland Yard and the Army."

"Minister, are we just going to sit here and do nothing? What exactly does the Home Office mean by this?"

Rowan did not answer their questions but simply picked up the police baton beside him, put on his gloves, and nodded at Arthur: "Arthur." freewebnøvel.com

"Minister?"

Rowan walked over and patted him on the shoulder: "Relying on these rough men is useless. In matters like this, only properly educated university graduates can be of any use. Don’t just sit here; come with me to the Lord Chancellor’s office."