Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-14
To TIE EDITORS OLE TIE WnuG.

Gentlemen: The Epidemic Cholera which has
so long prevoi!' in Europe and other countries,
and which has recently appeared i'll country
from its uncommon symptoms and great fatality
has very justly excited the attention of many, if
not all the Medical Faculty, as well those who
have seen the disease and attended to its progress,
as those who anticipate its appearance among
them.
l have read attenively such accounts as have
appeared in the Public Journals, and such other
publications concerning this disease as were with
in my reach, and discover that it is but mpcrfectly
understood, both as to - and treatment. Its
cause has been attributed 10 a miasm, or peculiar
poison floating III the atmosphere, which is absorb
ed, carried into the blood vessels, affecting the
BRAIN spinal marrow and nerves, and vitiating al!
the secretions, &c. Whether this hypothesis be
correct not, it certainly has not contributed
much TO the relief Of the unfortunate subjects of
this disease. Physicians have in all ages attributed
diseases to contagion or to masmala in the at.
mosphcrc, they are, however, unable to detect Its
presence by any chemical process.
Such has been the result Of the best chemical
experiments upon the atmosphere to ascertain the
cause of the Cholera, TO lead 20 satisfactory
conclusions. Rejecting upon the symptoms nt-
tending this disease, they have been described by
those who have seen it, have been led 10 form
an hypothesis, somewhat different from the opinions
have advanced and fin yenturng to commu.
nicatc them through the medium of your paper any
benefit should arise, to a single individual,
shall be fully compensated for the brief suggestions
which shall make The uncommon GOODNESS OF
the tongue, cold BREATH AMI cold surface, and
diminished vital powers, shew Il state OF suspend
cd animation from some powerful cause. Our at
mosphcrc is said TO contain about omc-ftth part
of oxygen gas, which is Indispensable for the sup
port of animal life. Some animals require more
oxygen TO sustain their healthy functions, than
others. Man requires as much more oxygen
than any other animal in proportion TO his size
state of asPhyxa, or oven death, may be produced
by depriving any animal OF the atmospheric oXy
gen, and the action Of the heart and arteries
be diminished in proportion as the oxygen gas is
withdrawn; and OIL the contrary, tho motion of the
heart and arteries may be increased as addition
al supply of oxygen is furnished Who has not
seen, or heard of the exciting or celebrating CT
tects produced upon many persons, by cnhalng the
nitrous aSid gas? Tire curbonic acid gas, on the
other hand produces the most depressing scnsa-
tons, and If long inhaled, occasions death, has
oiicn occurred 10 persons sleeping in close rooms,
where ticrc is burning charcoal, in deep, close,
damp cellars. The mephetical or noyious gas con-
tanned IN the Grotto del CAM, near Naples, is of
Tins description, and proves fatal to all animals
confined III 1T, even for short time. Here would
hazard an enquiry: May not Tire atmosphere Of
this globe lave undergone some changes from
causes unknown TO us, and which chemical science
IS unable TO detect, aud that change in the atmos
pberc be greater in come situations. than others
bccanae Of peculiar exciting causcc, which DO not
generally rIovaIl2 Whether 'hc quantity Of oxv