Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-07-27
From Me Nelc York pape,s.

From The NeD York pape,s.
Causes and origin of the Cholera Mcr5us or Che
Terra Asphyria, and Of the remedies ,ohics can
best p,euent or counterfeit IL.
have been better of in arriving immediate
ly az conclusive opinions than many other intelli.
gent observers of the perploxing ond prodigious
epidemic now lowering over Yielding, how
ever, to several friends who desire request me 20
publish whatever opinions have adopted on that
subject, take the liberty of laying down few
asccraned points by which, the known facts we
possess the Cholera, those hereafter observed,
may be more lucidy Disposed and arranged so as 10
lead inquiry, ultimately, without fail, 10 the proxi-
mate and universal origin of this nervous d:stcm.
per.
We know that the general causes OF the cpl.
dcmic cholera two-fold,--dcpendent OH and
emanating from the atmosphere which surrounds us,
and proceeding from predsposition and susceptible
ity in the patient victim from certain vital
haustion. AS for its being diffnsed from the old
continent into tho new world by contagion must
at once dismiss in haste such idle presump tion,
already and often contradcted, and rendered ir-
rational ano incredible by the fact of the simua.
ncous invasion of populous cities parts of c;ss
before communication with each other, wilo whole
communities in the way track have enioyed u
perfect immunity.
II remains therefore for to admit or to per-
! ceive, that the atmospheric use or determining
principle of Cholera Morbus is in It's invisible chan
nels, like those winds constantly blowing on the
ocean from the same quarter Of the sky, and tho
why or wherefore of which is still! mystery to us:
such the trades the Atlantic, the Srocco
from the Lovant; tho Harma,tan the coast Of
Africa; the Monsoons in the Indnu Seas. Such
mode of transmission of the Cholera from India
during year remarkable by the frequency and
continuance of Eascrly Winds is the AMY one that
Can be philosophically sustained By comparisons;
and that our atmosphere, similar to that OF India
should now possess an epidemic cb traater for
ting Cholera need not s.eGl more surprising than
that the navigator TO the north of Newfoundland
finds warm temperature existing in the heart of
winter, in the waters the Gulf Stream. Conccrn-
ing the necessity tor pTedlspoSitIon III the patient
those who in this city have been struck by
the Spasmoaic Cholera, all appear to have
been of peculiar description in their bodily state
and constitution, or under a peculiar state of ex-
haustion; in this they differed from the great pro-
portion of the inhabitants who still enjoy uniupair.
| ed health. Tie epidemic has fastened severely on
those who were badly fed, incorporate, or in an
alogous conditions. In less than three weeks We
have lost at least six hundred of such subjects and
probably the ravages Of Cholera Will not cease until
it has decimated extirpatcd Tho whole class
that subsist with little or no animal food.
So much for prsdisposition, We to
closer inquiry into the cause from without, which
being external and general, creates epidemic
prevalence. We have that it only be at
mospheric; and since it requires predispostion or
susceptibility in the patient, that, perhaps, il can
only proceed from defective proportion of the
vital elements or supports in the air. These elc-
ments, or sustaining principles, are five:
l. DUE temperature of heat and moisture.
2. proper balance Of the gases, constituting
vital or atmospheric air.
3 and a. The ma gnctic and electric movements
which unite under head, as they seem to
possess a nature and power in common.
5. A due weight and pressure in the air, never
less than 5000 pounds OH the surface the hu.
man body.
Another collateral proof may be given to the
reader to show that ,onnt, the abstinence from
| animal food, is a GAUGE pf the black pL0gne It is
the ancient and proverbial saying which reaches
with all the authority OF history TO support it, that
famine brings pestitence. Wars, soges, devasta-
tons by tempests, which the crops Of the
Garth to be lost always ieara from bisto.
ry, followed by devouring and consuming pessi.
lonco OF black plague, the affinity of which, to our
cholera morbns be better learned Ly the reader
referring the articles abstinence from fOod Fam
or Famine in the DctiOnnaire des Sciences Md.
Gales. They will there how many Of the mos;
mortal symptoms of the spasmodic cholera are su-
Per-induced by the want of proper animal food.
As for the first; the history Of the cholera, as
yet, shows that i; s mt under the control of lem
peraturc, and is not affected by che simple changes
of heat and cold, moisture and dryncss i'm tho at
mosphcre. For the second, / leave it to Mons.
Magondc, tho greatest living Psychologist, who has
undertaken to show analysis OF the air of Par.
is during the cholera, much inclined however, to
believe that lao would have communicated his ana.
lysis TO the world long this If he had detected
any difference however slight, in the balance Of the
ingredients belonging 10 the ambient air. There.
romans then the three ator elements which in
all likelihood observation will successfully he fixed,
and in which palpablo and serious deficiency viii
yet be discovered. Such deficiency would create
general relaxation Of human vital energies tspc.
cIay oftho nervous system, dcrangc the respiratory
functions, and prepare, upon procxistine or succe-
dent debility, an overwhelming end sudden
OF disorder. This deficiency would besides aggra-
vate all other complaints, which peculiar type "r
influence is, are told by European observers,
the nature Of an epidemic cholera atmosphere.
! may resume this subject in another coununi.
cation TO the public. The laws OF tho vital econ.
omy and the Influences that support or diminish il,
are few and simple, and the most ordinary capaci.
| ty can suffice TO comprehend the tenure by which
we live in the midst Of elements that rcnow de-
crease our vitality at every breath.
The deficiency Of magnetic and electric move
ment, and density elasticity Of the cir, car be
aggravated by localities that mois. filthy.
| As for preventive remedies, the reader viii rc.
member that the Delta Of the GOngcS is called Tho
Cradle Of the Cholera; and thtt there the iphabit-
ante do not live upon animal food; that in China
whore animal food is scarce, the pestilcncc wa,
most unspsrng; and thst at Uurdvar, in 1883
10000 Of the fasting pilgrims were cut off in less
| than week. The Arabs Of The Euphrates. and o,
tho African desorts, though temperate and otsti
nsnt, are better off than the HindoSianees bocaus,
they have the milk and the flesh Of thor Car7cls;
Era~ ~ -. = -