Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-07-24
TO THE PUBLIC.

Cholera, have appeared among US; we
deem it duty to our fellew citizens to
make some remarks on the subject. We
sincerely hope they may be productive of
good, and be received in the spirit in
which we hnozv they are given. Should
any benefit result, even to one individual,
we shall be more than compensated.
1t is not necessary to enter into the his
tory of this Epidemic, which, from the
time of its origin, in India, appeared as if
the destroying angel had gone forth,
shaking pestilence fom his wings, and in
his flight bearing bolt of death over the
world. Our remarks are intended to be
purely practical, and as concise as posi-
Bile.
/. During the existence of the epdem-
ic influence a general predispostion exists
in the whole community to the disease.
Some are more disposed than others-But
without the application of exciting causes,
the disease may not be brought into &C
ton.
ID. Exciting causes are the following
fear and anger; intemperance in the use
of spirituous liquors and drinks; large
draughts of cold water; improper diet,
particularly vegetable food; exposure to
night air, but particularly sleeping with
too light covering--most Of the attacks
commencing from Ii to 3 or o'clock in
the morning.
Sd. Preventives:-Avoid the exciting
causes; keep up an uniform temperature
next the skin by wearing flannel; the feet
should be preserved dry and warm. Should
person be caught in the rain, or sudden
ly chilled, battle the feet in warm water,
go to bed, and produce perspiration by
warm tea, &c.
4th. 1t is ignorance Of the forming stage
of the disease which has caused so much
sorrow and fatality. This stage is known
by sudden looseness of the bowels-dis-
charges becoming thinner, and of the col
or of Mississippi or rice water. This
stage Of the complaint is all important.
To enforce its Importance is the object of
these remarks. 1t is a plain truth, and
forever be praised the great source of
truth and light for having given us the
signal of danger. The symptom should
be instantly attended to, by day or night;
to neglect or mistreat is danger, probably
death. Should any one, at this stage of
the disease, be tired of voyaging on the
tempestuous ocean of human life, be tired
of its vanities, deceitfulness and selfish
ness, he may neglect this symptom, and
find a speedy passage into another state of
existence; but as you value life, happiness,
friends, country, and your eternal welfare,
you will adopt course promptly to arrest
itsprogress. The best course in our opin-
ion will be the following:
Bleed the patient 10 or IL ounces; or
by measure half pint or three fourths of
a pint, administer 30 grains of calomelI
with half a grain of opium or 80 drops of
laudanum, every two hours, in the place
of the opium; when the laudanum is Civ
en-, omit the opium; it is best to put the
calomcl dry on the tongue, and wash down
with the laudanum in a spoonful of water,
balm, sage, dttany or green tea. Sweat
the patient as soon as possible, by bathing
the feet in warm water; go to bed, apply
warm bricks, stones, or warm sand OF salt
in small bags around the patient let COM
mon drink be the above teas. Should the
purging or vomiting not be arrested
promptly, repeat in two hours, the Gallo
mel and laudanum, or opium, and so on ev-
cry two hours until relieved. To aid the
above remedies give an injection of one
tea spoonful of laudanum in a pint of
warm water, or sugar of lead and water;
rub the bowels well with laudanum, spir.
its of turpentine, &c. This course will in
almost every instance succeed in arresting
the disease. In ten or twelve hours after
purging is stopped, administer two table
spoonfulls of castor oil. Should this not
operate in two hours repeat the dose, when
bilious excavations will appear, and the
person be out of danger. But should the
vomiting and purgng continue, and cramps
come on, with sinking of the pulse, cold
ness of the skin, sinking of the eyes in
their sockets, &c. the person is in great
danger of falling into collapse, OF prostra-
ton, known by blue lips and face, blue
hands and feet, skin like dough-a picture
so horrible, the beholder shudders at the
sight. The best course in this stage will
be to give an emetic of two table spoon
fulls of common salt in a pint of warm
water, one half at once, and the other half
in ten minutes-when the stomach will be
emptied, new energy impaired to the Or
gan, and it will be prepared for the recep-