The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-11-07 00:00:00

THE CHOLERA.

The Royal College of Physicians of London, have, on
the re-appearance of the epidemic cholera in England,
issued an important circular of advice, with a view to pre-
vent the spread of the disease, and to mitigate its evils.
They state, first, that cholera appears to have been very
rarely communicated by personal intercourse, and that
cordons or quarantine have failed to arrest its progress.
They are therefore of opinion that an appreciable increase
of danger is incurred by attending and ministering to per-
sons affected with it. A moderate use of well cooked
green vegetables, and of ripe fruit is allowable, also of
pork or bacon, or of salted, dried, or smoked meat or fish,
which have not been proved to have any direct influence
in causing this disease. They advise such a general diet
as has hitherto been found to agree with respective parties.
Sufficient nourishment in food is recommended.
Secondly—They state that the disease has always been
most destructive in the dampest and filthiest parts of
towns, and they urge the public authorities to improve
the state of the sewers and drains, and remove all collec-
tions of decayed vegetable and and animal matter from
the vicinity of dwellings. They also enjoin the well air-
ing of all rooms, or apartments, used in dwellings.
Thirdly—Debility or exhaustion increase the liability
to cholera. The usual food should be taken, and intem-
perance or the use of ardent spirits and other intoxicating
drinks carefully avoided. The grand barriers to the dis-
ease are nourishing food, warm clothing, and a speedy
change of damp clothing; the avoidance of excessive
fatigue, of long fasting, and of exposure to wet and cold,
particularly at night.
Fourthly—Persons affected with disease of the bowels
should immediately apply for medical assistance. Should
looseness of the bowels, sense of exhaustion, and chilli-
ness come on, the parties should be placed in a warm bed
until advice can be obtained.
Fifthly—The authorities are recommended to establish
dispensaries, in various parts of towns remote from medi-
cal institutions, and also to provide distinct cholera hos-
pitals, not on the idea that the disease is infectious, but
with a view to better attendance on the patients. The
existing hospitals could not furnish the requisite accom-
modation.
Sixthly—ln conclusion, the committee would urge on
the rich, who have comparatively little to fear for them-
selves, the great duty of generously and actively minister-
ing to the relief of the poor while the epidemic prevails;
bearing in mind that fuel, and warm clothing, and suffi-
cient nourishment, are powerful safeguards against the
disease.
They deem it most desirable that the parish authorities
should at once improve the diet, and increase the com-
forts, of the poor under their charge ; and that the
wealthy should form societies for the supply of food,
clothing, and fuel to those who, though not paupers, still
need charitable assistance in the present emergency.
Such measures, which it is the duty of those possessed
of power and wealth to adopt, would the committee be-
lieve, if liberally carried out, deprive the cholera of half
its victims.
This important document is dated " College of Physi-
cians, Oct. 28th," and is signed by Jowl AYRTON Pants,
President; and FRANCIS HAWKING, Registrar.