The Sun.
London, England, 1832-01-30 00:00:00

MUSSELBURG FL

To the EDITOR ofthe EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT.
Sig,—lt is deeply to be regretted, that such unguarded opi-
nions with regard to the infectious nature of this disease should
have been industriously propagated, for I feel perfectly satisfied
had the public been carefully impressed with the infectious na-
ture of the disorder, the very great apathy and false confidence
which prevailed here and elsewhere, together with the re_
velries of Hansel Monday, might have been altogether pre-
vented, or very much circumscribed ; but from the • popu-
lation of, Edinburgh and all round, pouring into East
Lothian to see their friends, when the disease was actually
surrounding, and in contact with them, and at a moment
too, when they were fully exposed to its influence, by their
excess and consequent exhaustion—they returned to their
home A complete hut-bed of infection, and produced the imnie-

diate appearance of cholera here in its most extended, alarm.
ing, and fatal form, so as on the first four or five days, to reach
above 100 eases, and 30 deaths.

Notwithstanding the alarming circumstances attending the
tirst appearance of the disease, it is highly satisCactory to know•,
that wherever cleanliness, order, and comfort, can be obtained,
with a determined exclusion from the sick, of the whole house-
hold, and more especially of the females, little danger is to be
apprehended ; but if any personal communication is allowed, all
security is at an end ; and, if a severe case of the disease is
once admitted into a family, the whole stands exposed to its at-
tacks, and the consequences are always uncertain. It may be
here added, that every one who can afford it, will also find
their security and safety very much increased, by keeping
the system rather excited than otherwise ; that is to say,
take half a glass of brandy after breakfast, a large glass of good
sound port about one o'clock, three or four glasses after din-
ner—not later than four o'clock—and again at night, a glass of
warm port or white wine, with nutmeg, at the same time keep-
ing a regular belly.
At present it is foreign to my purpose to enter into or to pro-
voke any medical discussion ; I shall only observe, that to me
it has been matter of great surprise and regret, to find such an
opinion should be seriously and industriously propagated, as
that the cholera is not infectious. I really must suppose, there
must be some curious misunderstanding of terms, or very sin-
gular construction of facts. It appears to me sufficient to ask
those gentlemen, how the self same disease has travelled from
India to Musselburgh P I apprehend they must answer, that it
has come either by land or water, or by the wind, or personal
communication. Now, it is of no farther use to the public to
settle this point, than to know what means you are to use
to secure yourself, and what length you may go in
attending the sick. It has always appeared to me
quite apparent, that making a proper allowance for the inter-
course of nations and society, that there is no difficulty in ac-
counting for the transmission of disease, and that the present
cholera has propagated itself entirely, by what may be nearly
considered actual contact with the infected persons, or their
house, or something belonging to them, when under the
disease. In our present melancholy state, we have the
experience of the death of husband and wife, parent and
child, sister and brother, infecting each other—three deaths
have occurred in the same house, and friends coming from a
distance of six miles to pay their last duties, seized in the very
house, a few hours after their arrival, and cut off in seven or
eight hours. I may also here notice a curious fact, which has
shown itself since the commencement of the disease here, and
bears upon the point, and also on the general character of cho_
lera,—that, out of one hundred persons attacked, there is not
twelve or fifteen of them males. This, however, accord-
ing to my apprehension, is easily explained. They all are
sick nurses, and in all these duties are exposed to the most
virulent sources of infection, and their dress is apt to lay hold
of and retain the infectious matter. But, more than all this,
their constitutions hang all upon the slender thread of tea and
whisky, while the males are abroad at their work, and if any
real nourishment exist in the house, they consume the whole
of it.

I must now conclude with observing, that the nature of the
disease appears to me far from mysterious, although the cure is
difficult. I have just been favoured with my good friend Dr.
Abercrombie's letter, and it affords me much pleasure to say,
that we have come nearly to the same practical conclusion; but
our treatment is still more simple, trusting as stimulants and
sedatives entirely to opium and brandy, but more generally
burnt brandy, with much nutmeg, varying the doses according
to circumstances. With regard to other matters, we use cal_
cined magnesia, carb. of magnesia, decoction of chalk, with ad_
ditions, according to circumstances : rhubarb and magnesia,
&c. ; applying heat in various ways, occasionally using bleeding
and sinapisnis ; but in no case have we given calomel, ipeca-
cuanlia, camphor, or antimonials. Regulating the quantity of
drink is of the last consequence in managing the disease, and
in preventing vomiting.
I am, Sir, your most obedient servan,
27th January, 1832. TH OMAS BROWN.

CHOLERA MORBUS, OFF

CIAL REPORT.

COUNCIL OFFICE, WIIITFILI
DAILY REPORT of CHOI,.

,L.-(THIS DAY.)
:RA CASES.

•-• ..a
ip:49.110.
Places.
t'..l 0 E E
E o V. 2
z g g
Jan.
• .
Sunderland
Newcastle 27 50 21 9
28 16 46 876 979
Gateshead
North Shields and 27
Tynernouth
South Shields and 47
Hepburn Colliery ;s!
1211 1 s 3
Newburn ll3
16 1 17 11 279 51
Lemington, &c gi 4 1 0 3 2 not stated
er Township ys 8 3 0 4 7 78 20
Earsden Collery 2-1 31 6 1 11 25 48 6
Hetton, &c. 2759 16 3 36 36 327 60
28
Haddington and vi-
cinity, N.B. 27 5 4. 1 1 7 59 25
Tranent, N.B 3l 12 6 11 26 IS 81
Preston Pans 27 t:6
115 10 3 0 1:2 28
North Berwick, N.B 262i :.0 1 0 0 :4 3
Musselhurgh, g 53 30 12 13 60 137 46
Leith. 26 1 110 1 1 1 1
Edinburgh, N.B 0 3 1 0 I 211 3 1
Total 1 299 1148 141 1116 1294 2979 924
Totals from p:aces where the disease has ceased,
and from which no returns have been this day
received lO5 36
Grand Total 3084 960