42
KEPLIES TO QUERIES ON THE TREATMENT OF EPIDEMIC CHOLERA. [Appendix
Query No. 10,—continued.
Naismith, J., Deputy Inspr. Genl., Ben. I.—I never admitted a case of cholera into an
European hospital, but into tents previously pitched at some distance oft for their reception ;
trenches were dug to the leeward of the tents for receiving the alvine evacuations, which were
immediately covered over with earth.
Orr, J. H., Deputy Inspr. Genl., Mad. I.—The affected, together with the attendants, should
be isolated as far as practicable; I cannot speak from personal experience of the advantage to
bo derived from a moveable hospital.
Peterkin, J., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—This I think highly desirable. It has happened in
my experience to find, after the admission of one case, that one or more patients previously in
hospital have been attacked, and in these cases I believe the operation of the mind to have
been the chief agent. In those days, we knew nothing about the fungus origin of cholera, or
of its dissemination.
Reade, W., Surgeon, Mad. B.—Should be at once isolated. Sick should be placed in tents,
or under the shade of trees. Special servants. Moveable cholera hospitals very desirable.
Rennick, R. H., Deputy Inspr. Genl., Mad. I.—A very necessary measure, and one now
almost universally adopted. Old European tents make very good cholera hospitals.
Roberts, W. H., Assistant Surgeon, Mad. I.—Certainly the affected should be kept apart
with special attendants, and it is unquestionably advantageous to have a moveable cholera
hospital. I think, Indian experience has satisfactorily proved this point.
Stewart, L. W., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—The affected should be isolated from the non-
uffected, with due regard to comfort, ventilation, and the absence of overcrowding. I am not
in favor of cholera hospitals being moveable, though an advocate for the removal of the
patients.
Sylvester, J. H., Surgeon, Bom. I.—I would certainly advocate this, and keep them as much
as possible out of the sight of other people.
Van Someren, W. J., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—This measure I have found useful in connec-
tion with the emigration depots, in staying the progress of the disease among assemblages of
proposed emigrants.
Query No. 11.—Removal from the affected locality.
Ailkin, W., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—All who can conveniently do so, or who are not pre-
vented by necessity or duty, should remove to beyond the range of the disease ; and the
removal of persons from insalubrious localities within its range should be enfored by authority,
Andrews, C. A., Surgeon, Mad. I.—Should invariably be done as early as possible. In
three epidemics, I removed the whole of the prisoners to higher ground, two miles from the
jail, and the disease at once ceased.
Ball, T., Staff Surgeon, Ben. B.—One fact stands prominently forward in the above me-
lancholy history, namely, that the head quarters of the 36th Regiment were comparatively
exempt from the disease, and the mortality correspondingly trivial. In the detachment, the
disease was virulent, and the mortality excessive. The two bodies of men had been exposed to
precisely the same influences in the same locality with the same sanitary conditions, and had
been placed under circumstances not only similar and analogous, but nearly absolutely identical.
[ failed to discover any local causes in the encampments selected, or in the general hygienic
arrangements, to account for so remarkable a difference ; nor it is probable that foci of disease-
should have been repeatedly pitched upon in the one case, and avoided in the other. Eut there
was one important difference in the condition to which these parties were subject. One (the
head quarter party) marched out of the infected locality on the first appearance of the disease,
and it suffered little ; the other from unavoidable causes was detained in it for nearly a week,
and suffered severely.
Beatson, J. F., 0ffg. Deputy Inspr. Genl., Ben. I.—A measure of first-rate importance, but-
depending for its success most materially on the manner of its execution. When disappoint-
ment has attended change of locality, as in the case of the 31st Foot in 1845 at Umballa, it
will generally be found to have been the result of hurry, excitement, and other avoidable causes.
The season of the year may often be most unsuitable, and yet the beneficial effect may be most
striking. This I have personally witnessed more than once. In illustration, I again quote
from my report for 1859 the following :— "Notwithstanding the oppressive and stifling heat
of the season (May), the recommendation to move the troops under canvas and to have their
quarters thoroughly overhauled and disinfected was made, yet with serious anxiety and some
sore misgivings, since it was considered but too probable that, if by going into camp, the
'Scylla' of cholera might be weathered, the alternative would be but to perish in the
Charybdis' of fever and apoplexy." Happily, it turned out quite otherwise ; cholera was
dissipated, the morale of the men restored, and a sure foundation for future confidence in the
step secured.
Buckle, H.. B., Surgeon Major, Ben. I.—The troops should be moved at the very earliest
date, that is, as soon as the medical officer has satishfied himself of the presence of the disease,