Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-04
CHOLERA IN LEXINGTON.

certaiaed 10 b. of whites 1SS-bIack 16s-iuna-
tics 25-'otal Ssl-in population reduced by
flight to less than 5000, and in about l6 days
Many supposed TO be not counted.
Professor Dudley, Of Transylvania, Ia high
uAme) has written the following letter on the
treatment Of Cholera.
DEAR SIR:-I have been written 10 BY mum
Der Of our friends, all embracing the topic Of
your letter, the prevailing epidemic of this
place. The opinions OF medical men upon this,
as upon must other professional subjects. are not
found to correspond.
l have no pride Of opinion npon it myself hav.
ing long since been taught to place an humble es.
, timate upon that ephsmeral eclat. which arises
out of an excited state of public feeling, anil
which Is forgotten so soon as the causes
which produced it have passed aNay But,
while there is considerable variety of opinion
abop, the remedies to be used, there car be no
difference among medical mer, about the neces-
sity of correcting The morbid ~atery discharges,
aud of establishing thick or consistent evacua.
ject of cholera. Every physician and nurse
concurs in sentiment. that upon the accomplish
ment of this object, depends the immediate safe
",
il is admitted by all, that death must superyene
where this is not rife ted.
The suspension of the healthy action Of the
stomach, liver and kidneys, in cholera. is fani.
IiarIy known to every observer: nor is the pale,
shrunken aud cold state Of the surface, with
consequent accumulation of blood IN the internal
organs, less satisfactorily understood. With
these facts b.lore him, recorded in the books,a
made manifest in the appearance Of the cholera
patient. the practitioner is required to trace out
tie general principles bv which he is to be go
verned in the administration Of medicine. Cases
very analogous to epidemic cholera occurred in
my practice eatIv last year. from which my pu.
pills, and two resident physicians. buth former
pupils. inferred my practice should cholera ap.
pear among us.
Whatever the cause Of the epidemic may be,
the principal force OF il is spent urnn the diges-
tive Origins, and especially the stomach and bowels:
while II IS Upon ne same organs that medicinal
impression is made with view to cure. So far
then as the cause of cholera may be conceived
to he located IN the stomach. uetics are suggest
ed to the mind with view to its removal, Just
as person who had swallowed dose Of arsenic
would expect relief from the same remedies. |
have long been in the habit of using active enc.
tics successfully, in the conclusive forms Of hys.
fETtUs pIOCecuiUS ITUui W NiSet-
tive organs; and in cholera Of the spasmodc form,
have not been less pleased with their effects;
since they invariably mitigate, and generally sub.
due the disposition to cramps altogether. By the
mechanical agitation Of the internal organs from
free vomiting. or high efforts to vomit, the blood
is driven to lhe surface Of the body. the GOODNESS
Of the skin removed. the internal organs relieved
10 part Of congestion, and the vital energies re-
stored, where any power Of reaction is left
Where reaction cannot be effected by eme;ics,
the system is ,nsusceptibIe TO any impression. -
This remark is based upon the fact, that have
seen more cases terminate in death, without any
manifestations Of reaction, where no emetcs had
been used, than where they had been given with
a liberal hand.
Again; emetics possess the power Of suspend.
ing watery secretions into the bowels, when al.
mInistereJ SO as to excite free vomiting. But
above all. conceive them valuable, as possess.
ing the faculty OF arouslos the stomach to the
lively aud active impression Of caomel; cathar.
tic superior to all others, for the purpose of ex-
citing bilious secretous. and of securing thick
or consistent excavations from the bowels.
The first case with which am conversant, of
cholera. appeared Oh Constitution street, and was
relieved by speedy and active vomiting, followed
by fifteen grains of calomel, the patient main.
tanning tne warmth vi tne surface Nv means Of
blankets The next cases; some three in nun.
Der. were IN the hands of other gentlemen, and
all proved fatal
Probably the next was College pupil, whom
met Oh the streets with spasms in his limbs,
and aided home. After very active vomiting
with prcac., followed by salt and water. he fell
oto a pr"tuse warm persplratlon. and the spasns
disappeared H. was then placed in bed be.
tween blankets. and dnsc of calomel, twelve
.ra'ns, was administered. Next day he was ON
Ms t'ct quite relieved.
Mr.. - had rIce.water discharges four I,
lays, and was finally attacked with universal ,
pasms. In this condition saw him for the first
line. Alter thorough vomiting by means of
pecar, and salt water, the spasms being 10 a !
,reat measure. oct mo- entirely, subdued, lbe. .
al dose Of caomel, not less than twenty five
,rains. for it was given by measure, was admin.
stored and the patient kept sweating between
blankets. Next morning he was much better. and :
las slowly recovered. During the absence of Dr.
-. two Of his male servants were relieved
# the disease in its spasmodic form in the same
IMo of Mai % Nocr, ,,o..l