Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-04
G. D. SEKoNe, Esq.

In an Extra from the .7lbdny DAILY .fdUeut-
ser, we have the report of DIR. Kane, sent by the
authorities of Plattsburgh to Montreal in order
to see the disease for himself; and that Of DR..
Bronson of Albany, sent by that city with the
same mission.
DR.. Kane thus discusses the character Of, and
states facts concerning, the disease at Montreal:
The reasons for concluding that the disease
was not produced, and is not propagated in
Montreal bv contagon, and therefore was not
imported by shipping in any way, are among
others which will readily suggest themselves to
intelligent physicians.
LIST. Many cases of Cholera appeared in the
city at least six weeks previous to the 10th in
slant, and therefore, long before shipping and
emIgrants arrived: the disease however subsidized,
in the course Of ten days or two weeks; after
which until the 10th inst. no cases appeared.
3D. When the disease appeared on the 10th,
it did so. to use the language of some of the ply
sicians, like shower of hail. simultaneously,
al! over the suburbs of the city, without any pos,
siole communications between the subjects OF its
attacks. 1t did not commence among the emigrants
and thence spread as from centre to a crcum-
ference over the city.
tagion. Nurses, and those who are among the
sick much of the time are no more frequently at
tackled with cholera, than those who are not ex-
posed.
H. What are its nature and character? The
physicians Of Montreal account for the whole
phenomena of the disease, on the principle of
congestion. Here they support the doctrine Of
Armstrong. Amnesty and others. The symp-
toms of dIsseetions prove it to demonstration.
The blood has forsaken the skin and returned to
the heart and large vessels, to the stomach and
bowels and all the important organs which per-
form the functions of life and to the vessels which
are distributing to the membranes covering the
spinal marrow. They view the cholera, with
which they have to contend, and which has been
called Asatc, as differing in no respect, from
the Endemic cholera of the United States and
the Canadas save that now il is an epidemic. c.
The same organs are affected, and in the same
manner. and the same phenomena present.
Ill. What is its most appropriate and success
full treatment? From the views offered above,
of the nature of the disease, it will at once be in.
ferred that the mode of treatment will differ but
little, If any, from that which is to be found in
our best practical writings, and which American
Ply sicians have long found successful where the
disease has occurred occasionally, and without
an epidemic course Opium and anti-spasmodics,
and the dlffusabIe stimuIants, are the remedies
on which to rely. Bleeding is objected to, un.
less in the FIRST stage of the disease, when the
pulse is yet plain and distinct, and the heat of
the extremities not much, if any. below the ma.
tural standard. The physicians from whom I
derived my information never bIed; they have
seen patients bed in The second stage Of the dis
ease, but with decidedly bad effect. Emetics
are. in their opinion, improper, because there al
ready exists too much of the irritability Of stom-
ach. Absolute rest in recumbent posture is
enjoned, drinks prohibited, and friction object.
ed to, because it requires the patient to be more
or less exercised. and exposed to the air, both Of
which are very injurious; dry heat, externally /
applied, is indispensabIy recommended; no mois- !
ture should in any way be used on the skin.
Nv. Are there preventives, and if so, what!-
The answer to this question is no, save in resu-
larity of habit; avoiding, as far as possible, all
powerful impressions, either on the body or mind,
and dispense with the use Of medicine, unless di.
rected BY physician. Much injury has been
done. in the opinion Of the ply sicians, by medi.
cines being used BY way Of prevention, as prepa-
ration. and BY fear.
v. What classes Of people does the disease at.
feet most! II broke out first among the misera.
Bile, poor, destitute, and incorporate, of the
French popuIaton-those who were debilitated
by previous disease or other cause.-the aged, (
and among the emigrants; and continued its "a. |
wages almost exclusively among them till the aOth,