Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-06-22
E}om N. Nep York Courier a. Enquirer.

From tie Ne,c York Courier a. enquirer.
The following is the opinion of our Fcllow-Ci-
tzen DR. DE KAY who was attacked with the
Cholera at Constantinople, and subsequently had
charge of many pnticnts:-
l. The of the disease believe to BIO I'M
know, but it is usually attributed to some pecu-
llr state of the mosphcrc-Durng my residence
at Constantmoplc, comprising a period of six
months, kept register of the weather, and
could not discern that either the temperature,
gravity of the air, or any particular winds, had
any agency iii producing extending that disease.
?. The prcdisposing causes were errors or excess
in Diet exposure to night air; Irregularities in regi
mon; fear, anxiety, &c.
3. The essence of the disease appears to consist
in an accumulation of blood in the veins and about
tho heart.
a. The disease rarely occurred in any two places
under the same form; nor, as wds informed by
the oriental physicians, did it always appear under
the form for two consecutive seasons ut tho
same place. The chief characters of the disease
were, however, constant, and the same medical
means employed. At Smyrna, the most str-
! king symptom discoloring of the hands,
which at Constantinople had never witnessed.
| 5. The mortality greatest in low damp stu
atoms, and in the vicinity of fresh water streams.
At Smyrna, which is built upon marshy spot
the mortality was very great: while at Constanti-
noplc the disease appeared in milder form.
6. Cholera is not contagious. My own expert
ence is confirmed by that of every oriental phys-
clan with whom consulted. 1t rarely attacked
more than one in family. The Turkish Govern
ment, at the suggestion Of the medical faculty,
fused to establish guarantees against this disease,
but took other steps which might be worthy of
imitation elsewhere. A pamphle. was published
by order of the Government, giving a history of
this disease, the of guarding against ii, and
the best treatment to be employed. These tracts
were gratuitously distributed in every town and
village throughout the Empire.
Z. The greatest mortality occurred among those
whose mode OF living was particularly mcagro and
! Ill, I'LL.
among the Jews of Smyrna, during one of their
fds's, and committed great ravagcs 1t is far from
being my wish To recommend intemperancc, but do
not hesitate to state that the occasional Of s-
null, in the shape of generous wine, brandy,
GIN and water was found highly scrviecable during
the prevalence of the Cholera at Constantnoplc.
| need hardly remark that the habtlally intcmpe-
rate lose all the benefit of this remedy.
.. Every thing in this disease depends upon the
promptest medical aid. When this was rcsorted to
at al early stage, Cholera became mild and easily
mana Seablc disease.
Ertraci from The popular instructions as 10 the
Cholera 1f0rbus.
Observe the strictest cleanliness both i'll person
and dwellings,
Avoid all chances of being chilled, and keep the
body warm, particularly the stomach, bowels and
feet.
Avoid placing the feet upon the cold floor
Workmcn Obliged To work in cid or damp pla
ccs would do well to wear wooden shoes or CLOVIS
Return home at an early hour in order to avoid
the cold and damp of the nigh. air.
Avoid as much as possible excessive fatigue
Whatever may be tho weather or the season do
not 20 too lightly clad
Sohricty cannot be too strongly recommends
consequently avoid all excuses of eating and drink
ing, for it has been observed that Drunka and de
bluchccs have been most exposed to the attacks
the Cholera.
Let your food be principally meat and meat
soups; eat as little as possible of charcuterie and
salt meats, and abstain entirely from heavy pastry
Abstain from undressed food of every descrip
ton.
All cold drinks, taken when person is heated.
are at all times dangerous The water used as a
beverage ought to be clear. Filtered water is bel
ter than any other. Instead of drinking il pure
1t would be better to mix it with teaspoonfuls
OF brandy or d6sinthe to pint. Water lightly
mixed with wine is equally good.
The excessive use of strong liuors is very nerni
cious, and taking unmixed brandy whom fasting is
equally So Persons who have contracted the ba
bit of doing so, should, at least, first eat piece Of
white wine fasting
All beer and cider of bad quality Ought to be a.
voided.
Every person who feels himself suddenly affected
ny QUIZ pans In the limbs heaviness or giddiness
OF the head, feeling of oppression, uneasiness
oil the chest heartburn, cholic should immediate
~ apply TO u physician, the next Bureau do Sc
eours.
PERSONS thus affected should Immediately 90 to
oeu' ana take, quite hot, an infusion of pepermint
and flowers of the lime tree, and heat himself bv
every possible means.
Prepared chloric solutions being universally re-.
commended as useful precaution against infect
ron oil any KIND 1T may be desirable to give the
following receipt for making them
Take one ounce of dry chlorate of lime, and one
quar-, OF water: pour sufficient quantity on the
powder to make it into paste, and then dilute II
with the remainder, strain off the solution, and
keep 1T IN glass earthen vessels we'll stopped:
portion OF this solution should be poured into a
shallow bowl. and placed in every room in the
honsc. US
The chlorate of soda is noar rs good; it is to he
used IN inc same manner, III the proportion of one
ounce of chlorate TO ten or twelve ounce. of 49,,
ter.