Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-04-01
THE EPIDEMIC.
R.ehmond, 2sth Mach, lsls.

Richmond, 25th March, 1915.
a much has been said respecting the ma |
n ture and treatment OF the prevailing cpl !
demic, have thought it proper to make the |,
following observations, 10 correct mistate
ments and remove false impressions.
1t is the character OF epidemic diseases, 10
TO pc most violent and deadly when they first
appear, and to grow more mild as they pro-
gress.--Hence the greater fatality az firss under
any treatment. and the reported more success
tul practice as they progress The fever is o.
tie SynVehns or mixed kind that is, inflama-
tsry lsometimes extremely SOY al the Begin
nins, out degenerating speedily int o one of
DEBILITY, iavoiins ehusions of lymph and con-
5estions OF blood on vital organs To obyia,e
these ia'al tendencies OF the disease, you must
moderate the fever at the beginning and keep
up a Steady determination to the skin by per
| spuati n, blistering and other irritating ami,
CATIONS. 1t is the force OF the fever at the be-
aiming Propelling The blood in undue GUAM
aty upon the brain, lungs and throat which
constitutes its danger. After these vital parts
nave become gorgea or saffocated with blood.
the only chance OF recovery in the worst cases.
is from the most powerful and unremitted stir
mutation but this is shutting the door after
the THE has entered. 1t is the business of
Tue physician to prevent this by de cisive blow
| AT tue threshold, or in othsr words by attack.
| Ing the disease at its onset by such remedies
as sre known to be Efficient in subduing fever
having written on the epidemic twice and
\ enjoying large share OF the confidence of m,,
ieiiow citizens, almost every case CAM, undcr
my care Tor the first two or three weeks
whist gentlemen known to be in good prao-
ice We're dong nothing, was unable with the
most active eXertions, to attend 10 all .bs ~
siness which offered. The worst cases nc,,,r-
red at first. For FIVE weeks daily visited
rom 20 to 80 patients, and esoribed often
| Ior as many more whom could NOT ,ttond :
ms almost exclusive practice in the eD;dem>
&c could not be borne by little minds How 90
come at a participation was an object mucb &
most anxiousay desired. Il was 6eterm;ned
that the end would justify the means. Public
OPINION, founded In ignorance of the disease
was against the use II the lancet in anv case
MS was made an instrument in the hands n,
on'y TO accomplish the object Boodletting
| was denounced IN all cases, although !, %
| been used In many with the most 3mmod;oto
ard permanent good effect. Envy BEING H.
illustrates called in the aid of mallce.@Tt ~ 1s
hrst whispered about that no one bled but mo
snd 'hen that no one lost Patients but myseIr
| ms undisnlfish conduct was treated with CO..
tempt and would not have been thus notice. br,
Tor my having received several communicat;ons
informing ne that, 1t was reported generally
through,the country that had lost eyerv No
tient to whom had been cllled. As tn tie
hrst assertion shall only say that, the mo,I
neutrality-suspicious.. inths city have ble, ,lu,; ~,
the wtnter and continue TO besd in the mr. %
Vaning diseases The second will be answer
co oy s atlng The number attended bv me .o5
the deaths which have occurred Tie "a nt >
form OF the disease Ia synochus fever Gomez.
| Gated win colds, sorethroat, pIeurisv and
| Iheumalsm) has prevailed cpidemicrIlv e.
mon rs, but 81 oradicaliy for Is monIbs mast
| DuFliS these two monthS must have attended
| uPWaids OF $40 persons of all descriptions and
coAdilionsT- Nine died, viz SIX whites ami
t"ree negroes. Three or he nine were bled
| once eachS-the others were not hied Four
OF ulsun were pronounced mortal cases the mo
4 ihehl saw Iheul, ~ consequence of an eneor
| geo OF suiiocatcd Stale OF the lungs Neither
| oil these was bled. In many cases the att.rk 10
>" Snaden and evSrwheimniag that the patient
ha dly knows that he is sick, before he 6nGe
| ni'nseh IN the agony OF death, being carried OH
IN from II 10 "a hours
| nay praciice for many years has been gene
RAJ anu extensive. L attend to all Applicant
| catlons.-Many of those who died. / knev
would die, from the account given. befre 7
| sa" them, but did not refuse TO visit them
from ieaT thai should suffer in reputation. 1
a'teneeI promptly and Cheerful iy TO such ca.
| ses, oehevng 1t would be cons1lataiy 10 the
patient and his fri.nds
shall conclude by expressing pity for him.
wco boasts that he has practsed extensively
IN me epidemic without loosng patient, for
l am sure, his warmesi friend will not believe
MN feel pity for those who have declared
thaI .hey would not bleed III any case whate
| ver' tor IT exposes their prejudice aud weak
ness and makes them unworthy the proffe ssh
on, ieel the most heartfelt sorrow for tn, pati.
ent whose physician suffers his judgment and
PrscI1ce TO be swayed BY public ciamor and
popular prejudice.
JOSEPH TRENT.
Viz Doctors McCIurg, Foushee, sen. Ly