On returning to Parsons’s, Ann Parsons had suddenly become much worse—cold—quite collapsed. Her daughter Jane, aged ten, in the same bed, sinking rapidly, the other two children, very bad, requiring constant attention,—all complaining of insatiable thirst. The room shockingly offensive. Chloride of lime—burnt vinegar—burnt tar were used. This scene lasted till eleven at night,—then Mr. Langworthy came. _The effluvia in this room was so especially offensive_, _that we thought there must be some particular cause for it_. _In the centre of the floor_, _which is paved with slate_, _I perceived an opening between the slates_, _and upon asking the reason of the chasm_, _being apparently deep_, _the mystery was solved_. _A drain_, _which was choked with every description of filth_, _passed across the room_, _under the floor_! _Here was a reply to the wonder_, _why the disease was of a species so much more aggravated_, _and attended with circumstances so much more awfully terrific in this house than in others_. _It is only wonderful how any family could have taken their meals_, _and slept in such a vitiated atmosphere_, _without having been swept off before by some malignant disease_. _August_ 10. Scarcely slept during the night. Sent a mason early to take up the slates at Parsons’s house, to clean the gutter, and fill it with quick-lime. Gave orders to masons for cleansing and whitewashing other rooms where it was required. Some nuisances were removed at Colebrook. Parsons’s daughter had died in the night. Her mother not worse;—so much remaining strength, we hoped she might weather the disease. This would be almost miraculous, as three individuals had already died in the same bed, where she herself lay in a state of collapse! Another case of cholera in the room! Old Mary Parsons, suddenly seized with violent internal pain. She came, in health, from the town of Plympton, to assist her dying relations. In a very short time, her sufferings were excessive, the cramp was indomitable. Some cases appeared to be of a much more aggravated character than others; and the reason why it has been particularly so at this devoted cottage was solved, at least to us, last night. The change of colour, in these cases was appalling. Jane Paddon, aged seventy-five, a near neighbour, had been seized with the fearful malady about two hours—quite sensible—far advanced in confirmed cholera—gave herself up, and at her particular desire partook of the Holy Communion. Richard Woods very ill, much excited and alarmed—his mother and wife in a state of extreme agitation—Mr. Langworthy present—we all knelt around the bed—a solemn scene it was; but it brought consolation with it—the poor afflicted family became more tranquil. The symptoms were serious, and recourse was had to medicine as soon as possible.