No. II.]
VI.—THIRD STAGE-COLLAPSE.
79
Query No. 12,—continued.
Baillie, Ν, Β., Surgeon, Ben. I.—Drugs are useless, and alcohol worse. I recommend
fluids in small quantities, ice, gentle frictions.
Banister, G., Surgeon Mayor, Ben. I.—In my experience, alcohol has proved utterly use-
less in restoring the action of the heart, and were it not that it is generally vomitted, evil would
undoubtedly arise. Its oxidation in the system is absolutely impossible when the capillary
circulation is almost arrested.
Beatson, J. F., Offg. Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I.—Nevertheless, the use of either brandy,
gin or whiskey is often advisable, given always, in moderation and judiciously administered,
and not in mere routine after certain portions of time, the effects being closely watched and the
administration duly regulated. Some one stimulant of these named is not out of place usually
in the treatment of cases in Europeans, who are, as a rule, more or less in the habit of taking-
alcohol in some shape.
Burn, W. H S., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—Brandy, alcohol and wine, appear occasionally
to assist in restoring the action of the heart, but re-action is apt to be violent and dangerous.
It is always a nice point to gauge the moment when stimulants should be withheld. In
collapse, the diffusible stimulants are preferable to brandy.
Cox, C. L., Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I.—Alcohol next to opium does more harm than
any remedy I know of. In moderate doses it effects no permanent good, while it is followed
by depression and a craving for more, and this frequently leads to excess followed by
re-action, and the case but too often terminates fatally after the disease cholera has passed away.
There is, moreover, during cholera epidemics a very general tendency to fly to the brandy bottle
for solace, and this tendency is encouraged if the stimulant is known to be in general use in the
hospital. I was once at a station with an European cavalry regiment and a troop of horse
artillery when cholera became epidemic. Both were as nearly as possible similarly circum-
stanced as regards barracks, hospitals, &c. A panic seized the troop, and the men took to exces-
sive drinking, while the regiment remained sober. I witnessed man after man of the artillery
brought into hospital drunk and blaspheming, and death followed within three or four hours.
No such cases were to be seen in the cavalry, and the result was (for the medical treatment
was the same in both), that of 18 seizures in the troop, 17 died, whilst out of 32 seizures in the
regiment there were only 12 deaths. I could multiply instances of the fatal results that
too often follow the use of brandy in cholera without being able to quote anything in its favor,
and if I had to-morrow the charge of a cholera hospital, my very first act would be to carefully
lock up all brandy, wine, and similar stimulants.
Davis, W. T., Assistant Surgeon, Mad. I.—Yes, in some cases I think that they do, but in
large doses, they no doubt greatly increase the dangers of over-reaction.
Fogo, J. M. S., Surgeon Major, Ben. B.—Stimulants have not been found to exert any in-
fluence on the action of the heart.
Fraser, A. H., Surgeon, Ben. B.—Are, I think, useless and dangerous.
Griffin, M. J., Staff Surgeon, Ben. B.—They do not; and if inordinately employed, the
re-action is most decidedly violent and dangerous.
Guise, J. A., Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I.—During the stage of collapse you might give
prussic acid without effect. But it should be remembered that, when re-action takes place, the
system is under the effect, not of the comparatively small quantities which have been given
separately, but of the whole collectively. I would not prohibit the use of small quantities of
brandy, if the effect be carefully watched, but I have never seen any benefit from it, or from
champagne either. I believe salt to be far more useful as a stimulant, and it might be used in
the form of a wet sheet.
Hastings, T., Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I.—I have seen great mischief caused by an im-
moderate use of stimulants, and I would advocate their use in small quantities only ; and more
especially after re-action and convalesence have commenced than at any other period of the
attack.
Hendley, J., Surgeon, Ben. B.—I do not think these stimulants are of any use in this stage,
and I have no doubt that they increase the violence of the re-action, when it occurs.
Jardine, J., Staff Surgeon, Ben. B.—In moderation they do not do harm. I should think
the moderate use of them the preferable course. Pushed beyond moderation, they will do harm
in cases where the stomach can absorb them.
Joynt, F. G., Surgeon, Bom, I.—They are frequently worse than useless.
Kean, W. H,, Surgeon, Mad. I.—Spirits do not appear to have much effect. They do not
seem to be rapidly absorbed.
Keates, W., Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I. —I think diffusible stimulants are preferable to
brandy and wine. If brandy is given in excess, no doubt it must have an injurious effect when
re-action fairly sets in ; and it is not a good stimulant at any time.
Kennedy, J., Deputy Inspector General, Mad. I.—They very often fail in restoring the action
of the heart and in inducing re-action ; but I have seen a good many exceptions, and would
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