No.
II.
]
VI.—THIRD
STAGE-COLLAPSE.
73
Query No. 3,—continued.
Harris, F. W., Surgeon Major, Bom. I.—Neither, in my opinion, relieves vomitting. The
application of ice to the pit of the stomach is useful to allay vomitting.
Joseph, J. M., Surgeon, Mad. I.—Suck has been my experience of these remedies.
Louce, T., Surgeon, Mad. I.—I believe sinapisms are good, but not blisters. Turpentine
fomentations I believe are also very good, especially to the loins and liver. Mustard emetics
I have found beneficial in this stage.
MacLeod, A. C., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—The results obtained by rubbing with cajeput
oil, not only in relieving the dreadful cramps, but in rousing the powers of life, are truly
astonishing. It is rapidly absorbed, and its odour appears in the breath, the urine,, and,
presumably, in all the fluids, as I have observed in colic, rheumatism, neuralgia, &c. I have
seen an infant suffering from cholera, and seemingly moribund, rapidly revive, and micturate
(to my great surprise) under its use.
I must here content myself with the expression of my opinion, that hand rubbing, as
I have described it, is the most important part of the treatment of cholera, and one that
should never be omitted, whatever other medicines may or may not be employed.
Morton, E. G·., Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I.—T consider that the absorbents have lost
all power in the stage of complete collapse, and that any thing short of a corrosive poison re-
mains inert in the stomach and bowels until reaction takes place. When this does take place,
stimulants begin to act, and are of course injurious.
Sainter, J. D., Assialant. Surgeon, Bom. B.—Most valuable remedies, in fact indispensable.
Saunders, G., Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I.—The treatment which I have for years
adopted consists of warm clothing and stimulants, with calomel in large stimulating doses.
Slewart, L. C., Deputy Inspector General, Bom. B.—I have seen them do good; but too
often in this stage they are powerless, and you might as well apply them to a dead body.
I have found hot meal and water remain in the stomach when nothing else was retained.
Van Someren, W. J., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—To these means, all of which are good, I
would add chloroform, as sometimes efficient in controlling vomitting.
Wakefield, H., Surgeon, Bom. I.—Are very beneficial and are relished by the patient.
Query No. 4.—Congee-stools.—These give relief till reaction comes on and the colour of the
evacuations changes ; hot saline enemata are sometimes useful.
Andrews, C. A., Assistant Surgeon, Mad. T.—In favourable cases, the congee-stools con-
tinue till reaction sets in. They are an indication of remaining vital power. If they cease
early in the stage of collapse the prognosis is unfavorable. I think they must be useful.
Chevers, N., Surgeon Major, Ben. I.—I do not think that abundant congee-stools give
relief. I believe that all needful evacuation has occurred previous to the setting in of rice-
water purging and vomitting, which I always endeavour to check by tannic acid.
Clementson, F. L., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—The passing of the stools gives relief from
the sense of distension ; but whether any other effect is produced I cannot say. This I can
answer for from my personal experience. I have had no experience in the use of hot saline
enemata.
Fogo, J. M. S., Surgeon Major, Ben. B.—It is remarkable how much relief these seem to
give. I have had no experience of saline enemata.
Illingworth, J. A., Assistant Surgeon, Ben. B.—Patients with free purging I noticed were
much less distressed and made much better recoveries than where it was scanty. I have never
used saline injections ; I have used largely starch and warm water, and found it most
effectual.
McDermott, P. A., Surgeon, Bom. B.—Hot saline enemata with turpentine and tincture
of assafœtida are very beneficial.
McDowall, C., Surgeon, Bom. I.—Congee-stools only relieve the feeling of distension ;
they fatally thicken the blood by draining it and rendering it unfit to circulate. If long
continued purging voided largely the poison, then stopping the preliminaiy diarrhœa would
universally prove fatal. But this is not the case. Rapidly fatal cases without purging and
vomitting would only show the enormous quantity or extra violence of the poison. In congee
stools the poison is in the state of germ, as starch is the germ of alcohol. It is only after
fermentation out of the body that the stools become poison.
Menzies, R., Surgeon, Ben. B.—I believe that the stools are the result of an effort on the
part of nature to eliminate the poison, and that they do give relief. I have never tried saline
enemata.
Morton, E., Surgeon, Bom. I—The most serious cases are those where there is little
vomitting and purging. I have not used hot saline enemata.