The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-20 00:00:00

LONDON.

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TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—As almost every kind of medical treatment
has been adopted of the most opposite nature for the
removal of Asiatic cholera, with apparently little
beneficial effect, it becomes every one, under such
extraordinary ravages as the disease is now making,
to record his views.
I avail myself of the extensive circulation of your
paper to state some circumstances which may be of
use at this crisis.
I had considerable opportunity in 1832 of trying
several plans of treatment for cholera, one of which 1
made known in the Lancet of the 29th of January,
1848, which it is unnecessary again to record. Suf-
ficient to state that success was great by that mode of
treatment, which embraced different preparations of
capsicum and veratria, as embrocations to restore the
balance of circulation which in cases of cholera
becomes entirely[overthrown.
I have since used the same preparation of capsicum
in the form of pills, instead of its being used as an
embrocation. Almost all stimulants, such as brandy,
&c., produce temporary stimulating power, but if re-
peated often, these cause greater depression, and in-
stead of being attended with advantage the reverse
takes place, stupor ensues, and nervous influence is
exhausted.
The great law which ought, in my opinion, to guide
us in finding out a plan of treatment likely to be
attended with general good, is, by adopting such
means as will produce a safe, speedy, and permanent
effect upon the system, and which can be repeated
frequently, to increase the action of the heart and
general circulation, and to prevent congestion. lam
confident that no two excitements of equal power can
exist at the same time in the human frame, but thb
greater will overcome the less. The powerful stimu-
lating effect which is induced by the alcoholic extract
of capsicum has a decided influence upon the nerves
and circulation, superior to any other stimulant with
which I am acquainted ; and one of its greatest ad-
vantages is, that it is attended with no risk by its
repetition.
As the disease has properly been divided into pre-
monitory and collapse, lam in the habit of mixing
opium and mercury, so that the tendency to diarrhoea
may be checked, while the action arising from the
capsicum is producing its powerful and immediate
influence over the nerves and circulation, and pre-
venting the second stage of the disease.
The formula that I generally have given is alco-
holic extract of capsicum 5 grains, extract of opium
10 grains, calomel 8 grains, 4 drops of the essential
oil of almonds. To be made into 15 pills. One pill
to be taken after every motion.
When the disease attacks the system, and there is
neither vomiting nor purging, one pill ought to be
taken every quarter of an hour until the balance of
the circulation is restored.
It is a singular fact that the first attack of the dis-
ease happens generally during the night. In these
cases, before medical aid can possibly be procured, the
pills may be taken with instant advantage, and with
perfect safety.
I have the honour to be, your obedient servant,
A. TURNBULL, M.D.
16, Manchester square, Sept. 18, 1849.

To TEE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,-1 have seen several letters in your univer-
sally read journal, on the subject of throwing a
solution of chloride of lime into the water closets,
with a view to purify them and the sewers; allow
me to offer a suggestion. I propose that the inhabi-
tants should, on a given day at a given hour, throw a
certain quantity of the concentrated essence of the
chloride into the water-tanks which supply the
closets, the quantity to be regulated by the Board of
Health, or some competent authority. Then if all
the water-closets in the metropolis were to be simul-
taneously cleansed at, say ten o'clock, in the forenoon,
and the entire quantity of water in the tanks let run
(which, as before stated, would be impregnated with
chloride of lime), the good effect on the sewers of the
metropolis would be incalculable.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Sept. 17, 1149. M. D.

THE MARGATE BOATS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Szu,—l am desired by the directors of this company
to request that you will be good enough to correct a
paragraph in yesterday's Sun, headed Margate, 18th
September, stating " that none of the boats from
London had been able to land their passengers there
that day, but had been obliged to carry them on to
Ramsgate, and from thence in omnibuses to Mar-
gate," which statement, if uncontradicted, might
be injurious to the well-known character of this
company's vessels, as regards their efficiency. The
Herne steamer, belonging to this company, left Lon-
don at eleven o'clock on the day in question, and,
notwithstanding a strong wind from the N.E., ar
rived at Margate at twenty minutes past five, and
landed her passengers without difficulty. With that
exception your statement is correct, as I believe the
Herne was the only steamer that arrived at Margate
from London that day.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
G. W. ROHRS, Secretary.
Herne Bay Steam-packet Company, Office, 113,
Fenchurch-street, London, Sept. 20, 1849.
[The paragraph in question was sent to us by our
correspondent at Margate.—ED. Sun.]

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SYN.
SIR,—It was stated a day or two ago in your
journal, that the allowance for the sale of postage
stamps, which had hitherto been at the rate,of 7i per
cent., would in future be reduced to 1* per cent.,
thereby effecting a considerable saving to the coun-
try. No doubt this saving is very desirable, and may
thus easily be brought about; but I would urge that.
as the commission is thus greatly reduced, and it
may cause some parties authorised to deal in stamps
to discontinue keeping them, that all post-masters be
required by the Post-master General to keep them
always on hand; as I have at times, and no doubt
many persons besides, been inconvenienced by the
post-masters, at country places, especially, not
caring to keep them, and being frequently, out of
stock. This enforced on all " offices" would tend
much to save the expense of even per cent.
I remain, Sir, yours, &c.,'
PRO BONO PUBLICO.
Sheffield, Sept. 19, 1849.

ADJOURNED INQUEST ON THE:CHARTIST CONVICT,
SHARPE.—On Tuesday afternoon Mr. Langharn, the
deputy-coroner for Westminster, resumed and concluded
the ioquiry, which was commenced on Monday, into the
circumstances attendant upon the death of Alexander
Sharpe. Mr. Levies, the surgeon of the Toth'll-fields
Prison, detailed the symptoms under which the deceased
had laboured, and they left no doubt on his mind that
the death arose from cholera. He did not think that the
solitary incarceration and restriction of diet bad has-
tened death, as he had watched the prisoner during the
whole period and perceived no change in him. Mr.
Pickers, a medical gentleman selected by the relatives of
the deceased, was then sworn. He agreed with Mr.
Lavies' statement as to the appearances presented by the
body being healthy. As a general rule, any reduction
of diet during the prevalence of cholera was injudicious.
He had heard the evidence in the present case, but it
was impossible tor him to trace the cause of death to the
confinement and dietary restriction. The Coroner hav-
ing charged the jury, the room was then cleared, and
after consulting for a quarter of an hour, the jury re-
corded a simple verdict of " Died of cholera."
The Fifeshire Journal states that Miss Agnes
Strickland,,the authoress of " The Queens of England,"
has been visiting at St. Andrews.
Dovzn, SEPT. 19.—The Lanchester, from Odessa, in
in to-day, with bowsprit and fore)ard sprung, upper
works strained, cargo damaged, and much heated.
SWANSEA, SEPT. 19,—The New Pleenix sailed hence
6th insc., for Sierra Leone, and put back to• day, leaky,
and must discharge.