The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-26 00:00:00

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE CHOLERA.

TO CAPTAINS UP MERCHANT SHIPS, STEAMERS, AND

COLLIIMS.

FIVAT INSTUCCTION.—Gund against looseness of the
bowels and purging.—Before a person is attacked by the
cholera, he is almost sure to have for a day or two, or for
several days, or only for a few hours, some looseness of the
bowels or purging, there is often no pain, but this must not
put any off his guard, at to the importance of this warning.
The captain or mate ought therefore, wittiest alarming
the men, to inquire of the crew daily, whether any of
them have looseness or purging, as this might by chance
become worse. If a man is pursed let him go to
bed, be ke; t quite warm, and if he is cold, apply bottles
of hot water, or bags filled with hot salt or bran, to the
stomach and 1., et. Give him immediately eight drops of
laudanum in a wise glass of hot and weak brandy and
water; give the man this every two hours as long as he is
purged; the same dose should be given night and morning
for one or two days after the purging is stopped.
SECOND Leernecritne.—What is to be done if a Man is
seized or taken with Cholera ?—This comes on with cold,
giddiness, sickeese, vomiting, and purging of what looks
like dirty water, or rice and water. Let the man get lute a
het bed ; cover hint well with blankets; apply battles of
hot water, or bags filled with hot salt, sand, or bran to the
stomach, spine, and feet ; he sure he is nut exposed to a
draught or cold, the object being to get him into a sweat.
Put a large poultice of mustard and vinegar over the
stomach, and keep it on 15 or 20 minutes. Give the man
15 drops of laudanum, with a teaspieniful of brandy (or
whi-ky, or other spirit, in the absence of brandy) in a little
hot water; a little gineer or cloves may he added. This
medicine may be given every hour for six hours, but not
longer; it must then be left off. When the man begins to
sweat give him some hot tea, with a teaspoonful of brandy
in it, and keep him warm in bed.
Tule° Isnernueviost.—When the ship is in pert, medi-
cal advice should be got as soon as possible, in any case Of
seizure, as the delay of even one hour may cense death.
FOOiITH INOTItUCTION.-0O Food.—Al, kinds of fruit,
salads, cucumbers, celery, and pickles, had better be
avoided ; also oysters, lobsters, mix, mussels, or other i
shell fish. The most wholesome articles of food are well-
baked bread, good biscuits, rice, oatmeal, pea., and good
potatoes : solid food is better than fluid, and therefore at
this time it would be a good thing to give the crew beef
and mutton instead of soup.
Firm lerratertee.— On the Danger of Sp. • , Corn-
Brandy, Wine, Beer, &c.—lt is a very common notion
among sailors and other people that brandy, whisky, rum,
wine, and the like are good as a protection against the
cholera. This is a total and fatal mistake : in every coun-
try and town where the cholera has broken out drunkards
and those who drink freely hare been the first and greatest
sufferers from the disease ; temperate men usually escape,
drunkards usually die. It is, therefore, earnestly hoped
ant re quested that captains will warn their crews against
all excess in drinking, more especially warn them from
taking corn brandy or gin, which often Ken' as a poison ;
they should also not drink any of the white and brown beer
sold at Hamburg and other ports, especially if it is sour.
The Elbe water is bad, and likely to purge ; therefore it
would be better to use water brought from England, and
captains are recommended to take in a supply accordingly.
SIXTH INUTRUCTIOS.—Against exposure to Wet and
Cold.—Wet and cold should as much as possible be guarded
'ohm by warm dry clothing and stout shoes. A thick
flannel belt or bandage around the stomach and loins is a
good defence for sailors. When they go to bed, if the shirt
is damp or wet, they should change it, and put on a dry
one. They should not stop out at night on shore. Many
soilora who have been drinking at Hambro'-bar, and lying
ab.pat on Sunday night, have been seized on Monday with
cholera, and died in a few hours.
SEVENTH INSTRUCTION.—Concerning Cleanliness and
Ventilation.—Nuthing in of greater importance as a protec-
tion against cholera than cleanliness and a good supply of
fresh pure sir. It is therefore the duty of captains to take
all the means in their power to improve and keep un the
health and strength of their crews, who are placed under
their care and protection. The owners are particularly
requested, on the return cf their ships to English ports, to
see these instructions complied with, The forecastle should
be frequently cleansed, and the hatches be opened in fine
weather, so as freely to admit the fresh sir. Die forecastle
should be whitewashed. To sweeten the ship, bleaching
salt or powder (called also chloride of lime), which is very
cheap, and may be got at any druggist's, should be mixed
with water, and poured down the pumps ; it should also be
sprinkled about the forecastle and in the cabins. Keep the
sheep as free as possible from bilge water, using the pumps
daily for this purpose, because it prevails most when ships
are very tight, and open the hatches to purify the hold.
AU the bedding should be kept well dried, and be brought
on deck in BIM weather, and well aired.
Mean Tsui Watt.—The Cholera is not Contagious;
so no one need be afraid of catching it : there is
no danger in waiting on and nursing any one of the crew
who may unfortunately be attacked. The captains of all
weasels trading to the port of Hamburg are hereby in-
formed that proper medicine, ready made up fur use, and
with plain directions, an be procured at prime cost of all
the ship-brokers and agents for English ships in Hamburg,
and they are hereby requested to provide themselves with
the same, in order to afford all the protection to their crews
which the circumstances of the case admit. -igned by or
der of the General Board of Health of England, Henry
Austin, secretary. October 18, 1848.