Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-14

zen IN our atmosphere, has, from any cansc, been
diminished; or whether il is disposed TO enter into
"'"cT and more extensive combinations with sur.
| 'o"hdlng Objects as TO diminish the supply TO
ANIMAL and vegetable creation, is AN inquiry not
readily answered. One fact, however, is worthy of
l''"'einorancc, that i'm the attempts TO check the
| progress of Cholera, which have been ATTENDED
WIN any success, very large portion of oxygen
gas has been diitused through tho atmosphere of
tue injected regions The diffusion of oxygen gas
Nv i,migatng streets, lanes, and houses, has arrest
ca tie PROCESS of the disease in some parts of
Europe, and at Portobcllo is said TO have checked
| the disease in one day. The circumstance of this
u,SeaSc appearing mostly among those who not
Dressed with the comfortable convcnenccs of hfo
the lliied occupants Of confined filthy, ill.ventila
ted abodcs in the suburbs of large towns or among
the poor cmigrants long confined, and closely
crowded together, during n long and uncomforta-
oic voyage, would lead TO tho conclusion that the
remote cause of this disease is Il deficiency of oxy
gen, either IN tho surrounding atmosphere, in
the system of the infected subject or in both Il,
Is equally reasonable to attribute the remote pre-
u~pnSlng cauZc OF disease, to deficiency of an
Ingredient in tho atmosphere, which is necessary
ah0 indispensable TO the support Of animal life,
I'd rcfcr II to a nonious miasm, which the senses
cannot perceive, nor chemical detect
L ne analysis OF the atmosphere made by chemists,
since the prevalence of the disease of Cholera is
not an argument against the theory above advan.
ced Chemists have been unable to tell the exact
quantity OF oxygen combined with any one sub
IN different substances, and in the same substance
IN different dcgrcss the present chemical no.
menclaturc will explain. The exact quantity of
Oxygen In tho atmosphere is not fully known, nor
is the heisht or extent of the atmosphere known
to chemists or philosophers The atmosphere
has also different strata currents; these
Inherent strata or currents, have in them different
portions ct oxygen, is full! illustrated by
the excursions and accounts of Acronauts in this
and other countries, particularly in France The
oxygen necessary for the support of animal life in
perfect state of health, may not exist in certain
strata OF atmosphere, any more than portions of
elcctrc hud may be found in strata of atmosphere
not usually impregnated with it. May not the
portion OF oxygen in the immediate strata of at
ihosphere OF infected regions be deficient, and
hence prove Il remote prcdsposing cause of the
disease of Cholera? The vegetation and fruits of
our country are materially affected by atmospheric
influences: they constituting n part of the susie
nance OF man, may, when thus affected, become
tributary to the remote, and prove in cases,
the exciting cause of disease. The immatnrty of
our fruits and vegetables of late years has not
been unnoticcd even by the most casual observers.
nat tins iInmatury is occasioncd by atmospheric
influences or causes, is very obvious:-fruts and
vegetables absorb quantities of oxygen from the
atmosphere in their growth and progress to per-
fect state: Il deficiency of oxygen in the surround
ing air, would produce in the vegetable kingdom
results analogous to those to which for several
years 1T has been subject. The above hypothesis
which is given by the writer pro tdnto, would lead
to the conclusion, that the remote predisposng
cause OF Cholera, is deficiency of oxygen i'm the
surrounding atmosphere, or in the systems Of the
affected persons, or in BOTH
The curative and preventive indications would
thcn be, to supply that deficiency. The a,mos-
phcrc of infected regions should he filled with oxy.
gen gas not only the houses of the place, but the
streets and alleys, and more especially the rooms
IN which the sick confined. | would like
w!Se initiate the lungs of the sick with pure
oxygen gas, by means of double iniatipg
bellows, with the tube of retorL attached 10
IT, so as TO keep the bellows constantly full of pure
oxygen gas. This process could he more easily
conducted, than injecting saline solutions into the
veins, and am confident with much more bcneii.
cia results. The action of the heart and arteries
depends upon the stimulus ofhcalthy arterial oxy-
gcnized blood, the lungs may he regarded as the
furnace which puriics the blood and fits it to enter
the heart and be propelled throughout the system
by the Arteries. If the blood be deficient in its sup
ply OF oxygen, "a stimulus indispensably necessary
to promote the healthy action of the heart and ar
terIcs,) the circulation will be very inpcrfecy per-
formed, and consequently all the vital and animal
functions, proportionably affected
The symptoms of cholera in its advanced stages,
are precisely such as would occur in person IL
fined to an atmosphere deficient devoid of oxy
gen, viz-asphyxia cold extrcmtes, arteries with.
out or with but feeble pu!sations, Sunken eyes
rounded with livid arcola, cold tongue and cold
breath, distressed and anxious countenance, and
clammy perspisations, &c. sc.
In addition to filling the surrounding atmosphere
with oxygen, and initiating the lungs with it above
be resorted to, TO preserve tore the animal
heat by warm applications TO the chest and abdo
men and extrcmties, and such internal stmulents
anti paSmodics, &c, the attendant symptoms
may indicate. To give full course OF the treat.
ncnt In this disease, is what the writer of this
say did not intends; If he was competent to such
task, the limits assigned to him would not permit it:
the intelligence of any well Informed physician
who may try the remedy recommended by the wri-
ter. Will enable him to treat any indications which
present symptoms may demand. In presenting this
brief and imperfect essay to the public, the writer
has been actuatnd by no ether motive than desire
TO afford relief to the unfortunate sufferer under
this drcadiuy fatal disease, by calling the attention
of the learned and liberal part Of the profession TO
an examination oil his suggestions ~ the hope that
their Ingenuity, intelligence and superior means,
may enable them TO extract something which may
be good in this uncommon disease, which has,
heretofore TO great extent baflcd tho skill of The
most eminent. ANXIOUS MEDICI
Hanover, Aug. 7, 1882.
NoTE.-Thc oxygen gas may be obtained by heat
ing the nitrate of potash (saltpetrc the oxide of
manganese, to red heat, in retor to which tube
has been properly fitted: any chemical work will
give the different methods OF obtaining oxygen gas
which can be easily understood by any person.
AT & meeting of the Street Inspectors of the City
of Richmond, held at the City Hall on Friday,
the 10th day Of August, 1882, rhomps III. Drew
WIS appointed Chairman, and VIM III. Allen,
Secretary.
Resolved, That the citizens generally, be ad
monished to have all rubbish, filth, rank weeds
and offensive matter of every kind, which exist
on their premises, and back alleys, [tbe filth from
their privcs excepted, removed early as posi-
bic on Monday morning, and deposited in heaps in
the streets i'll front OF their houses.
Resolved, That all those citizens who are dis
posed TO aid in Tie contemplated general cleans
On he stpd tn, ,r;,,,