Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-07-11


Where reaction cannot be effected by
emctics, the system is insusceptible &c
any impression. This remark is based
upon the fact, that have seen more
cases terminate in death, without any
manifestations of reaction, where nc
emetics had been used, than where they
had been given with liberal hand.
Again; emetics possess the power o
suspending watcry secretions into tho
bowels, when administered so as to ex
cite free vomiting. But above all,
conceive them valuable, as possessing
the faculty Of arousing the stomach to
the lively and active impression of cal.
omel; q cathartic superior to all others,
forthepurpose of exciting bilious secre-
ton, and Of securing thick or consls-
tent excavations from the bowels.
The first case with which ] am con-
versant, Of cholera, appeared on Con-
stitution street, and was relieved by
speedy and active vomiting, followed
by fifteen grains of calomcl, the patient
maintaining the warmth of the surface
by means of blankets. The next cases,
some three in number, were in the
hands of other gentlemen, and all pro-
we'd fatal.
Probably the next was College pu-
pill, whom | met on the streets with
spasms in his limbs, and aided home.
After very active vomiting with ipecac,
followed by salt and water, he fell into
profuse warm perspiration, and the
spasms disappeared. He was then
placed in bed between blankets, and o
dose of calomel, twelve grains, was
administered. Next day he was on
his feet quite relieved.
Mr.. - had rice-water discharges
four days and was finally attacked
with universal spasms. In this condi
ton | saw him for the first time. Af
ter thorough vomiting by means ofipe
cac. and salt water, the spasms being
IN great measure, but not entirely
subdued, liberal dose of calomel, no
less than twenty-five grains, for it wa.
given by measure, was administered
and the patient kept sweating between
blankets. Next morning he was mucl
better, and has slowly recovered. Dur
ing the absence of DR.. -, two O.
his male servants were relieved of the
disease in its spasmodic form in the
same way. Two Of Maj. IS negro
men, were also relieved by vomiting
and calomcl. One of those was al
tackled so sudden y that he was thought
TO be in an epileptic fit. But while
the names of dozens might be given
whom | have relieved in this way,
prefer simply to call your attention to
four manufacturing establishments,
wherein upwards Of hundred cases
| occurred, in which the above treat
ment was adopted, without calling in
the aid of Physicians; and where the
loss was less than ten per cent of the
whole number of sick. But while this
plan of treatment has been attended BY
signal success, it is not to be disputed
That other modes have also succeeded.
| relieved lady and four other chill
-rcn In succession, all with rice-watcr
discharges, by placing them between
blankets, and giving a dose of calomel.
Three of this family were cured with
single dose of ten grains each, of
calomel; the other two required a re.
petition of the medicine. In all, the
heat ercited By the blankets produced
ana Kept up a redneSs Of the surface.
In two or three, the disease was
cured by exercising freely on foot, and
on horse back, so as to produce and
maintain free action in thevessels of the
skin. In several a single pill ofopium
without other medicine answered the
purpose; while in very many complete
has followed the use of lauda-
mum or opium and calomel combined.
The system Of using stimuli and pur-
gatlves combined from the commence
ment, is a practice, as | conceive, of
a very doubtful and unsafe character.
When the stomach and bowels are We
ry thoroughly evacuated by the efforts
of nature, and the case is inclined to
run rapidly into the stage of collapse,
brandy in liberal doses has been seen
to produce beneficial effects; and
where large and repeated doses of cal
omel have been Intellectually administer.
ed, brandy has been ofmuch service in
IN sustaining nature under the protract-
ed form of the malady. But in those
sudden and violent cases, where COL
lapse comes on almost as soon as the
patient Is off his legs, stimulation is
of no avail. In these, the emetic is
better calculated to arouse the sinking
energies Of nature, and thus prepare
the digestive organs for the influence
OF calomel: yet 1t must be admitted,
that neither emetics nor anv nad;cinae