No.
II.]
I.—SANITARY
MEASURES.
39
Query No. 8,—continued.
Summers, J., Deputy Inspr. Genl. of Hospitals, Ben. B.—The trees at Peshawur have
apparently protected the compounds of the officers to a considerable extent. Only one officer
was attacked at the close of the epidemic at this station, when resident in cantonment. Bar-
rack yards have no trees nor shade at Peshawur. The men having suffered severely from cholera
epidemics on two occasions.
Thom, W., Deputy Inspr. Genl. of Hospitals, Bom. I.—They are useful for this purpose.
Turton, F. A., Assistant Surgeon, Bom. B.—Large umbrageous trees are good in checking
dissemination in cholera.
Williams, H. F., Surgeon, Ben. I.—Trees are considered desirable, the disease being occa-
sionally partially or wholly checked by belts of trees.
Williams, W., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—I cannot, from experience, adduce any instance in
which trees have had any influence in checking the spread of cholera; but instances have been
known, where trees have been cut down, of cholera making its appearance, where, before this,
the locality had enjoyed immunity from it.
Wright, A., Deputy Inspr. Genl., Bom. I.—I consider that large tracts of trees will check
the cholera waves.
II.—PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
Query No. 1.—Indications—To preserve health, to avoid exhaustion, to guard against the
dissemination of the disease, and the imbibing of the poison.
Clementson, F. L., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—Most true. I have found it so in my own
experience.
Gardner, E. B., Assistant Surgeon, Ben. I.—There was a good deal of diarrhœa, the
effects of errors of diet. A great deal occurred during September 1867. And it is remark-
able, as connected with the recent theory with regard to the origin of cholera, that "mukka,"
a very coarse, cheap rice, was being much used as bread. The natives themselves attribute to
it, when first cut, deleterious properties, and it undoubtedly often produces symptoms similar
to that of cholera.
Kennedy, J., Deputy Inspr. Genl., Mad. I.—In my experience most dangerous.
Maclean, A., Surgeon, Bom. B.—Like other epidemic ailments, cholera has, I believe,
its own special course, and if this disease can be excluded, the disease can be prevented. The-
treatment of this fearful disease is undoubtedly unsatisfactory, but our attempts at prevention,
if prompt and rational, need not be so, I think.
Penny, J. C., Assistant Surgeon, Ben. I.—In my opinion, much more of importance lies in
this direction than in the amount of sanitary measures that can be carried out at the time
cholera is prevalent. Above all things to be avoided is physical exhaustion, such as is pro-
duced by privation of sleep, walking to excess, or profuse perspiration. Flight is the greatest
remedy in cholera.
Van Someren, W. J., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—These suggestions are good. But are all
οf them practicable? I put the question with reference to guarding against "imbibing of
poison." If the "potential poison" be in the air, how can any help imbibing it. Maintain-
ing personal and public hygiene is the best means of preventing dissemination of the disease :
while early separation of the infected from the healthy, and a cordon sanitaire, will contribute
to the same end.
Walker, W., Surgeon, Ben. I.—Let any medical man cast up in his memory the fatal cases
of cholera which have occurred in his own practice amongst all classes of patients, and he will
have it at once impressed upon him how many fell victims to a temporary lowering of their
vital powers. In one case, it was the depression following the use of stimulants to excess; in
another, the fatigue of a long journey, or of a shooting excursion ; in a third, exposure to cold
and wet ; in a fourth, confinement and watching by a sick bed ; in a fifth, mental depression
from grief or fear of the disease itself; in a sixth (and perhaps from this more than any other
cause), from temporary weakness caused by slight diarrhœa, the result of indiscretion in diet.
Query No. 6.—As to the use of quinine, particularly during the rainy season, and in
malarious situations.
Ailkin, W., Surgeon Major, Mad. I.—Quinine I believe to be one of the best prophylac-
tics when used merely as a tonic in daily small doses of two grains, without reference to
season or situation.
Barclay, A., Deputy Inspr. Genl., Mad. B.—I have great faith in quinine as a prophy-
lactic against malarious fever. Where it does not prevent the disease, it almost invariably,
believe., renders the attack mild. My experience of it, and such has been somewhat extensive,
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