Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-15


Since Sunday morning up 10 10 O'Clock this
morning there have been eight deaths from
Cholera in Centre street, between Grana ana
Canal streets.
ALBANY, August lit becomes our duty to
ayow the re appearance of Cholera among us.
The disease changed in some OF Its aspects,
though by no means mitigated in its mallgnan-
CIV. has been lingering about for ten days
pouesKEgpsE, August lO.-The disease APP
peared at Poug hkeepsie, on Saturday. Four
members of one family had died, and on Satur-
day evening, fifth was not expected to survive.
Letter from the Resident Physician of Nep
York to the Board Of Health Of that city,
No. 10 W mrE-sTREET, August 10.
Dear Sir,-I deem it within the scope OF my
duty to present to you the following commune
cation, containing the result OF my inquiries IN
10 the cases of cholera which have been report
ed since its appearance in the city.
have visited, with perhaps three or four eX-
ceptions, every case which has been reported,
and upon diligent examination into their Sc
veral histories for some days previously TO- ana
Immediately upon the attack, am enabled to
state that all but one were justly chargeape 10
one or the other of the three following exciting
causes, viz cupable neglect OF the means or
dinarily used for the treatment oil dlarrh9a IN
proper seasonal disregard OF the cautions on
the subject of food and drinks, heretofore in
culcated for the prevention OF the attach
and reckless indifference on the subjects oil
cleanliness and ventilation, and the dangers a
rising from excess and exposure which are
known to give occasion to diseases OF the DOW
els at this season of the year more than at any
other.
More than one half of the cases may be fair
" set DOWN to the excessive indulgence IN an
dent spirits-and of the rest part to the lndls-
criminate use of articles OF ordinary food,
which however innocent at other seasons, are
known to be deleterious in the excessive heats
of summer; and part TO the mistaken prejudi-
ces of the patients on the nature OF the disease OF
which they were the Subjects.-An these causes
operated in degree, but the first only was the
the most general, since all the patients, except
ing two with whom lconversed, invariably ad'
rnitted the existence of Diarrh9a from two days
70 one weeks continuance, previously to the
development ofthose symptoms which designate
Cholera; and in those instances the attacks were
preceded by an unwarrantable Indulgence IN
unripe fruits and vegetables, and an unJudlclous
use of the river BATH sufficient ut any time to
produce cholera morbus.
The histories of the above cases fully accord
with the experience Of physicians in the sum
mer of 1882, and leave no room to doubt that
the disease called Cholera would be divested OF
most of its real danger, and proportlonately OF
its terrors if due attention was early directed
to the arrangement fthe stomach and bowels.
A large part of the danger arises from the IN
siduous manner of its attack. which in many
cases passes for slight indisposition, and attracts
very little attention-those symptoms have been
usual, termed premOnitory, but they constitute
in truth the disease itself; and cholera as gene
rally understood. marked by rapid emaciation,
rice water discharges, cramps cold sweat cold
tongue, cold and pulseless extremltes ana cor
rugated hands and feet, are but the concomc OF
symptoms of the last stage, and point with al
most unerring certainty to the grave.
have said that in almost every instance,
Cholera is attended by Darrhea; of a peculiar
character no doubt, because arising from pc
culiar cause; nevertheless easily manageable
by any intelligent physicians; but there are eX-
ceptions where no premonltons are apparent,
and i'm which the most serious and dangerous
symptoms are the first evidences OF disease;
these exceptions however, are explcable with
out i'm the least degree detracting from the ge-
neral truth; they obtain in other diseases COM
mon in this country-tor example, Scarlet Fe'
yer, Measles. and lntermittant Fever.
The general character OF these diseases is
well understood, and they are successfully treat
ed; but occasionally happens that the hrst EVIL
dences of disease are of the worst kind, and Daf-
fie the united skill of the most intelligent me-
dcal counsel.
If the facts above stated are received, the de-
auctions from them are obvious. Our first
care is to caution the public against all impru-
dence in the use Of food and drinks.
The food ought to be chiefly animal, as not
only most nutritious, but most easily digested:
alunripe fruits and vegetables, whether prepar
ed by cooking or otherwise, are to be avoided
and those which are matured should be taken
in moderate quantities, in order to escape one of
the most common causes of indigestion. Meats
should be well prepared in the process of cook.
ing, and when so prepared, should never be TAX
en- in large amount when they become cold, as
they are known to be more difficult for diges-
ton than when warm
Fish may be INDUCED in moderate quantity,
but never in excess. Stale fish, which is very
common article of diet of the poor, and especial
W of our coloured population, ought to be des-
troyed by the clerks ofthe markets. thatit might
in no case be exposed for sale.
All unusual exertion which will induce profuse
perspration, ought TO be avoided, by reason n of
check it. The. cold or river bath ought to be
used with caution, and in no case when persons
are unusually warm.