The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-07-10
To John T. ht.mford, Esq.

Dear Sir--You have requested my opin.
ion upon the prevailing epidemic. and the
best means Of preventing its attack, and also
the remedies to be employed.
This disease Is epidemic il is atmos'
pherc, and appears to obey the same laws as
Influenza. Many physicians think it conta.
gious, but in its recent appearance in Cana.
do, could not find any fcts TO support this
doctrine. Every person in those provinces
was affected by the same peremptory symp
toms, viz: pain in the region Of The stomach
IA Burning sensation in the bowels, and q
fulness or expansion of the abdomen. These
feelings were universal, and may safely
say not one person escaped them. II then
this disorder we're contag gious, how comes il
that these sensations were general in per.
sons who were twenty miles distant from
the disease, and who had not even heard Of
il? Contagion has never extended its pow.
er to such distance besides, how can we ac-
count for its appearance in Montreal before
navigation was open? We can impute it to
no other cause than this, that easterly winds
blew constantly for forty days towards Que.
bee, and consequently the tainted atmos.
phere Of Europe arrived al our shores.
The question most interesting to us is,
shal! we be visited by this disorder? II is
and from two cases which | have this day
Inspected in James street, the question is
placed beyond dispute. think il cannot be
a cause of serious alarm to our citizens, for if
we look to England and other places, we
find that where preparations were made
the malady was disarmed Of it's great
powers. 1t is very consoling fact, that
this disease is not contagious, for il
will not prevent those kind officers which
the sick so urgently require. No one need
be afraid Of approaching his sick friend, and
rendering him those services which may be
demanded. Besides this, the fact ofits being
non- conta gious, dvcsts US OF tear, which IN
my opinion has been the cause OF many
deaths. A perfect heedcssness Of tho dis.
case is the greatest security.--What are the
best means Of preventing the attack?
would say entire abstinence from spirituous
liquors, using Port wine in moderation whom
aay symptoms Of oppression or sinking occur;
avoid all green vegetables and unripe fruits,
which are exciting causes keep from the
streets during the heat of the day, and never
walk in the sun without an umbrella; and
above all, avoid crowds and impure atmos-
pheres. Let the clothing be flannel 10 keep
up an action upon the skin, and let a belt Of
the same material be worn. Temperance
in every shape Is tho great preventive.
We may ask who are its victims! l an
swer tho intemperate--it invariably cuts
them of. II Is a mistaken notion that stim.
ulus is necessary: wine may and does ~
service, while we are under the Influence
of this poisonous atmosphere; but spirituous
LIQUORS az a preventive always do harm, and
hurry the dTinker to his fate. Early hours
are important, for the exposure to the night
air generally brings on the attacks. Per.
sons are taSen more often at night than dur
ing the day.
What are the rcmedies? Bleeding is the
best in the first stage-;hat is, when nausea
and diarrhna are present, but when collapse
comes on, when the skin is cold with clam.
my sweats and the face blue, and eye sunk.
en- and the extremities lose all circulation,
il is fatal. In this stage give either and
laudanum, apply mustard poutices to the
extremities and stomach or what 10 better.
dry friction with chalk or hot bran. Brandy
may be given in small quantities, with spirits
Of ammonia or ether. When perspiration
ensues, and the pulse rises, with natural
expression Of the countenance, the patient
may be said to be convalescent. The tongue
in the first stage is, to use the expression Of
DR.. Dekay, opalcscent or transparent OF
milky blueness--in the second stage it is
covered by for, white or brown, as the dis
case progresses. Cramps are not essential
to the disease. and ply ysicians are often de.
ceived in deciding upon the fate Of the pa.
tient when these are absent.
have thus written You q few hasty re.
ma sks, but they are all derived from obser-
vation during my visitto Canada. They are
imperfect, bot as ,hoy are free from all med
icaI technicalties, ! trust they may be ser
viceable to our follow. citizens
Your friend and servant,
J. r. RHINELANDER.