Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-09-25
TO I'm; EDITORS OF TAR ENQUIRER.

About the first of July last drew up a paper hcaded
p" Residential Epidemics,' which was forwarded TO Won
by post with request that you would give it an inser-
ton III the Enquirer but which, for some good reason mo
doubt you declined to publish thought then and still
thlhk the paper was calculated ranquilize the public
mind on the subject of the infection of the Cholera AL
though II had not the sanction, bias from prestige of
name yet III advance of the lights Of and OBJ
servaon, II assumed the ground that tho disease was
wholly atmospheric; and that the primary cause of the
disease existed in the essential combination of the conpo
nen parts of the elements-tha the disease must Lav.
some cause more powerful and extensive than conagon
ana infections; aud that insulated disease sud
uehiy starting up irom propagaed by infections but
was neithermore less than the crisis of series of
uiOient diseases, which have preceded it, anJba Us cr
SIS must naturally be in places where it is most aided by
local causes where the general cause in the
first increased TO its full force
This view OF the subject presupposes progressiveness
IN The pesenal principle, and that the disease doe, not
and will not propagate itself in all situations but the one
ra'ion oil the peshenial principle is controlled by multi
tude oil contingent circumstances and that particular and
suitable constitution of the air necessary to endor it cpl
donnie IN any situation country. The disease will nei-
ther commit an aggression will be popagated in an
atmosphere not competent by mpuriiy to that effect
remarkable fact was given, which full and conclusive
OH ulS point Many others could be adduced In that
paper and at that time, viewed the disease as a bilious
plague That this view OF the nature and character of
the fever correct is fairly and clearly shewn bv te
communications OF Drs. Cobbs and Chairman ,ybo bave
since witnessed and described the disease Both letters
abundsnlly explain the views the enlightened
comprehension and the sound and discriminating judg
ment OF the writer.
Governed by the lights pathology and the symptoms of
inns disease, without having n Il view
an Iduoh OF me extensive membraneous tissues of the
castle and enerc systems, rich in capiliares producing
In them profound CONCESSIONS The quantity blood these
organs and tissues capable of containing and which
IN the commencement OF riations of the stomach and
bowels abstract and withhold from the general circulate
ry mass is so great in instances reduce the cir
cuaton TO state OF extreme exhaustion and the patient
TO state OF great apparent depression In this state of
things the pulse at the wrist scarcely to be perceived
and sometimes is entirely absent. The capillary and
areola circulation OF the external surfaces is diminished
the capillary circulation towards the seat of
irritation, the stomach and bowels when the blood accu
INITIATES and Is retained until dispersed by the establish
ment OF reaction, until the equilibrium or loss of ba
lance of action is restored throughout the system
Inc same result as to the vascular circulation aud pulse
is produced by extensive ations Of the cuianeos sur
lace IN other diseases determining sangunc CONCESSIONS of
ITS capafies In the highest grades of scarana nag-
ma the pulse scarcely dsngushable the incest sense
oil touch This feeble pulse in both of the SYSTEM
has been supposed 10 be the consequence of extreme de-
by oil the vital powers, and to require the sustaining
energy OF stImulants and toucs, which, by augmentn
The morbid irritation of the surfaces and tbereV
confirming their congested State only to enseble in
sun greater degree the action of the heart and pulse
This principle when fully appre ciated has very ex.
tensIye application, and is OF the highest importance in
practical point OF view in the treatment of ali diseases at
Tended ny such states oil the capillary circulation; for il
places IN very clear light the important fact that
the patient is threatened the same instant with i'm.
pending dissolution from opposite conditions of his
organsihat is from exhaustion of the general circulation
abdominal vscera. 1t at exhibits the necessity at
INC same instant OF resort TO compound treatment ex
lA,
"iSn en- "a oJi tie cifcuIatrUrr -,
the effect of operating the sensoa and nervous
power through the medium of the stomach but what the
precise nature of this is will most probably never
be determined. do not know what it is and yet know
much about ii any body else We neither re-
cognize by Of touch of TASTE sight, smell,
and only judge OF its presence among us by its
effects In these respects does not differ from malaria
but that tits the effect Of change in the electric fluid
of te PHI sical world think highly probable. The limits
assigned to this essay, will not permit to enter into de-
tail OF my for this opinion In proportion TO the in
tensy Of the operation Of this cause, is the affection Of the
aud sensOna power, and The corresponding de
walton from the surface and concentrations and conges of
Of the caplllares of the bowels. The next orde
of events is the arrangement Of the secrcug systems
This is exhibited by the morbid secreons, displayed il
the excavations from the bowels and stomach, whether
exist the effect OF morbid action, the offspring OF thu
primary cause operating on these organs, or Tie elect
remedies.
If this view Of the pathology Of the state Of disease an
describing be correct when applied to Cholera the indica
tons to be fulfilled and the principles Of practice to be dc
ducod from IL plain aud simple, though ever so ine
ciont States Of the system and OF local determinations
aud sanguiuOus CONCESSIONS and viii exist TO such
extent do away the ability in The system to react
al. The lancet iuls twolod indication, that OF dcplc
ton and rcvulsion, and although cannot cure, II -
valuable auxiliary 10 other more powerful and en-
cicnt remedies CalOmcl, so managed in IFS cxhbluo
as to exhibit dark bilious stools, will be the sure
means when aided by endemic rcvulsives, OF pdZ,
ing the derangcd organic actions; developing an eN
proper kind from all the secretng organs OF The boz
breaking up the local determinations and congesons; az
restoring The lost balance Of power and capd
action. With experimental knowledge Of the states
the SYSTEM to which 10 is adapted, 1t will be to the phy
clan, what the knife is to the surgeon expehmonaly q
quainted with the structure Of tile human syscm-t m,
be used boldly and freely when occasion requires, b
without this knowledge, IL may infici fatal injury
Pathological states OF the system Wiil occur howove
in malignant fever attended with coneeslons, and gra
Of Inflammation which neither The lancet nor calomcl "