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APPENDIX No. IL
EXTRACTS FROM REPLIES BY MEDICAL OFFICERS TO QUERIES ON THE
TREATMENT OF EPIDEMIC CHOLERA.
I.—SANITARY MEASURES.
Query No. 1.—The influence of pure air and free ventilation, and of elevation of residence.
Arnott, F. S., Inspr. Genl., Bom. I.*—Previous to the outbreak of cholera at Kurrachee
in June 1846, as detailed in the transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bombay
for 1853, p. p. 180-181, the weather on the 14th June was in every respect similar to what it
had been for several days till between 5 and 6 P. M. About that time and during Divine
Service, a singular state of atmosphere was observed. The wind veered round from W. and
S. W. to N. E., and although there was scarcely any breeze, it was raw, chilly and unpleasant,
and a thick lurid cloud, apparently of dust, hung low and almost stagnant over the camp; some
people observed, or fancied they observed, at the same time, an offensive suffocating putrid
odour, and that a sudden nausea was produced.
Bryden, J. L., Assistant Surgeon, Ben. I.—The 32nd Regiment, on the march from Kussow-
lie to Luckuow, left the former station on the 31st October 1856, and immediately afterwards
contracted cholera between Kalka and Umballa, which it carried for 15 days. This cholera
was a portion of the great invading epidemic geographically distributed during July and
August 1856, revitalised at the end of October, but localised, as is generally the case with the
cholera of this season in the North-West. This cholera lay dormant during the months from
December 1856 to April 1857, and when, on the 13th May 1857, the Fusiliers and 75th Regi-
ment descended from the hill stations, they marched at once into this very same cholera field
which the experience of the 32nd showed to exist more than six months previous. Had any
regiment marched over this ground in the interval, no harm would have ensued, for cholera
has the power of affecting the human race only during those portions of the year for which it
is vitalised.
I consider that cholera is never diffused as an air-borne epidemic without the coincidence
of a humid atmosphere. As regards the question of re-development, I believe it to occur,
sooner or later, strictly in relation to the natural seasons of humidity of the province within
which cholera is dormant. As in the case of malaria, I believe that excess of moisture in its
breeding grounds prevents the reproduction of cholera.
Furnell, M. C., Surgeon, Mad. I.—As to the influence of pure air and ventilation I am
unable to offer any authoritative remarks. Elevation of residence would seem to be most
inimical to the spread of cholera. This disease was imported into Ootacamund, Neilgherry
Hills in October 1866 (vide Madras Quarterly Journal of Medical Science, No. XXI, January
1867), but it soon died out, only two persons seemingly being infected by the importers of the
malady, who arrived in numbers from the low country. I am informed that this has several
times occurred, and that cholera has been imported by people who have been to the low country
to attend fairs or religious festivals, amongst whom, on returning, it has spread itself.
"Madras Times" 10th August 1868.—THE "CANDIA" STEAMER.—It seems that as this vessel
was coming down the Hooghly, she experienced a blast of a peculiarly hot wind blowing across
the Sunderbunds, and the lascars (native seamen) at once declared that cholera would break out
on board. Before many hours their prediction was verified, the third mate falling a victim
within two hours of the seizure, and the chief officer almost as rapidly. Two European
seamen also died of it. As soon, however, as the vessel had got well out to sea, the other
persons who had been attacked rapidly mended, and were nearly convalescent on their arrival
off Madras.
Raddock, C. E., Assistant Surgeon, Ben. I.—Whatever is the nature of malaria, I believe
it to be the most fertile source of cholera in Bengal. At Dum-Dum, (a clamp climate) where
the lines of the 1st Regiment Native Infantry are damp, and situated near swampy ground,
and before the men became in a manner acclimatized, eases of cholera occurred every now and
then, chiefly among weakly men. When intermittent fever, diarrhœa and dysentery were
most prevalent, it was observed in a few cases, in a sufficiently marked manner, that fever,
diarrhœa and dysentery cases got cholera, and that the other disease returned when the
cholera was cured.
Sutherland, J., Deputy Inspector General, Ben. I.—The cholera poison, whatever may be
its nature, has a remarkable affinity for impurities derived from the decomposition of animal or
vegetable matter ; the features of the poison are such wherever they are to be found. It does
not follow that these impurities are visible to the sight, or cognizable to the sense of smell;
but that such exist and become potent means for the spread of the disease, I have no doubt,
from facts that have come under my own observation.
* NOTE.—Abbreviations:—Ben. B.—Bengal. British Service. Ben. I.—Bengal. Indian Service. Mad. B.—Madras.
British Service. Mad. I.—Madras, Indian Service. Bom. B.—Bombay. British Service. Bom. I.—Bombay Indian
Service.