Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-30
GAZETTE,

Extract from fracttCdf OOservatlOns Oh CnO'
,,r,. communicated in report to the Greenock
R,,rd Of Health, as the result Of mission to
Is. infected districts. BY James B. Kirk, NJ.
D."
Addressing lavmen, as | have the honor TO do,
I will be difficult to speak Of the various stages
The disease with this plainness Of language,
We, accuracy Of description, which may be ne
c.,,ary to give a full and precise account of the
,saemper. But when l consider those TO whom
I,ddres. these observations, and know that eve.
y one here is an educated man, shall not be
AFRAID to attempt the description. From the very
extensive opportunity OF induction which en-
nyed, proved, before was long In Newcastle,
hat DiarrhGa in this country, BRITAIN ai'rays
pecedes Cholera Asphyxia; that this DIarrhEa
i alrays a durable complaint, and consequently
hat this formidable disease, the ways Of which
uere wrapped in mystery. and inspired US with
10 feelings but gloom and despair, may now DC
c,mly viewed by the eve of philosophy and
gaaon sense, as a malady, the secrets of which
ne open 10 Us, and the control Of which we have
our hands.
Let me now give you as short description as
/ can Of the premonitory disease. The patient
complains Of lassitude. He has frequently par
ta uneasiness in the region Of the stomach; but
his is not to such degree as to alarm him. He
has frequent evacuation from the bowels from
ts9 to dozen times day-not attended with
much gripping. His countenanee is sharp and
dark. He knows not OF this symptom, and it is
only recognizable 70 the eye Of experience. Oc-
asOnal nausea may Cypress him. Hut this IS
not very common symptom. These symptoms
nav continue, VARYING in severity, from one to
Ten DAYS, before the second stage of the disorder
sapenenes. The excavations at the first are ge-
neraIiy Of dark brown or blacklist hue. AS the
bOseness continues they gradually become less
and less Of natural appearance, until they as
ame the consistence and aspect Of dirty water.
Sme headach, cramp Of the fingers. toes, --L
ahlomen and aimUsl aiw.--i.sht sidtiness aud
rouus Of the ears, accompany those symptoms
sOIsvtmr, an intervening two or Giree Ways VI
cO,tyeness superyenes, which Is follower again
by the ,)iarrhpa, and IN few hours collapse su-
superyenes, aud in general nausea and vomiting.
The skilful practitioner will now give pulls
composed Of aloes and calomel, or pill compos-
ed Of scammony, calomel and aloes. Commune
this course for three days-keep the patient warm
in bed-giye him mild and gentle nourlshment;
and. after an immense quantity OF horrib o.
tnsiye DIRECTIONS, the patient Is completely re-
covered. and sna,ched from the jaws OF the
dreadful fate which awaited him. Some prach-
TONERS vescribe the mustard emetic in this state,
small doses Of calomel and ginger, and bleeding
freely; but prefer decidedly, and ON expert
sace, the purgative system.
This Is the stage to which wish to reduce all
our cases of cholera. If We get them IN thiS
shse, we can cure them with as much certainty
a, have Indicated. The natural secretlons can
be speedily restored, and health to certainty IN
duced In the hospital nj Gateshead every al
tauiant had the prenonitory symptoms; out the
skill Of their scientific attendants was at hand
Medicines were duly aud regularly prescribed
aud not one Of them took the extreme symp-
%ms. THIS ha, been the case, too, with almost
all the medica. strangers who have visited the
disease, aud almost all the practitioners Of the
district Of Newcastle have had premonitory
SYMPTOMS II. after this warning, cholera should
break forth, in any district, hesitate not to say
20 the municipal authorities OF that place. the
bOod Of the sufferers will rise in judgment against
the cruel apathy Of those who ought to have been
Aelr guardians, natural protectors aud fathers.
Ii your patient in this stage is very robust, you
Hsst take blood to subdue irritation and high ac-
tom but this will be very seldom necessary, and
mast aiways be taken with the hnger on the
pulse. so as never TO induce faintness The dis
Ease now advances to another stage it it Las been
LETT unas,ist-d. The cramps become stronger,
aad the sickness frequent and CONSIDERABLE
here is pain in the region Ut the stomach, and
festlesSness, and much thirst. The countenance
Is anxious. and the features sharper than natural
The evacuations become like barley cruel Still,
aovever, the pulse is not depressed, aud in ge-
aersl the patient eau keep Oh foot. He is often
Oarassed with fits Of vomiting. In this stage,
100, the patient begins to experience excessive
Gc'dness Of the extremites, and even partial cold
ness Of the trunk. In all stages Of the disease,
except the consecutive fever, the tongue is moist
and slightly but not deeply furred. The practi
uoaer in this stage must stePin with calomel and
opium, till the healthy secretions are restored
say two grains Of the former and the fifth Of ,
grain Of the latter, continued according to cir
eamstanees. II the discharges are very violent
me quantity Of opium may be increased to I'll,
Ipur'h, the third, and the half Of grain. Keel
S0e patient warm in blankets-keep his arms ant
IeSs In strong worsted stockings. Apply heat I,
al parts Of his body, by tins and bricks, an,
nnd bags; and 10 eight cases out OF ten, tn
1sease will not run into the stage Of collapse.