Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-09-13
MEDICAL.
From the National Inteligencer:
MALIGNANT .DYSENTER4.
70 the EditOrS:-

TO the EGH0rS:-
GENTLEMEN: Aslncre is a; this time a
highly formidable disease prevailing a few
miles below this place, in The country OF
Eauquier, and which threatens TO become
more, genera! shall oifcr no apology for
troubling you with a brief communication
on the subject. Though knowing as do
that 4 medical journal, aad no. Il newspaper
is the vehicle generally selected tor the
purpose Of conveying medical Intelligence
10 The Public. yct,, us the former is taken
by comparatively SO few, | can sec 70 good
reason Why the latter, widely circulated,
should not often be- preferred, especially
when It is desirable % lnpart, speedily and
generally, medical information ia pom;
in which the community arc immediately
anG vi,al!y interested.
The disease alluded 10 is malignant
dyscn;ary, Or dyscaray complicated with
fyphus, aud which has already bccn ailen-
dcd with no little mortality. From the com.
mcncement the symptoms are typhoid, never
anv thing like an active dcplctory course is
Indicated: indeed such is the tcndch-
cy TO prostration in many cases, tha; the
sys,cm speedily sinks under the slightest
depletion ifit be no: sustained at the same
time by some difusabie stimuant: This
horrid ma!ady, so far, seems to set at utter
defiance nearly all the usual remedies which
have heretofore been employed in the treat
mca: of The iailamniatory OF ordinary forms
of dysentary: Therefore, in making. this
communication. my principal object is to
draw attention mainly TO single remedy
which, IN union with few others, has
been in my hands for several years past
ctnincntly applicable and successful in all
low states OF dysentary, whether -comoi-
ned with typhus or not. Hence i is that
I can confidently recommends, ami vouch
for lis supcrlative efficacy. This rene
dy is no.hiug more than the simple spirits
Of tprreatiae. Ii will unqucstionaoiy be
found 81 most important. il not an unri-
vailed rcsourse in the hands of the emedI.
Cal practitioner. or any other intelligent
person, in every modification Of dyscntary.
All tIiat VII! be nccessary, in addition, will
be TO prepare the s:omuch and bowels a
little by means Of genie cvacauats before
giving the tu!pcn;ine, and employing some
mid aperieat, saci, as castor oil, OCCASION
ally, d%.::n@ is administration: though even
spcn things as ibis must be- cautiously intro.
duced, 10 avoid pathological disturbance.
The physiological phenomena, following
he exhibition of the lurpcrlinc,- arc at
.'oac. very striking ard satisfactory. To
persons unacQuain:ed with its practical ap-
p!ica:ion Or Us ntodwy' opcrandi, in such
cascs!t might appear harsh remedy to
apply 10 tl:e mucous tissue Of the bowels
airealy much rritatcd. iufamcd or u'ccra-
tel perhaps, but it has aleogethcra different
clec:, wlca is evnced by the prompt man'
ner in which il allays tie irri,abllity OF the
stomach, and relieves tho tormina and ten
csnnus of the bowels. By way Of ilus'ra.
lion. let US advert to lis soothing effects IN
burns and sca!1s, with which almost. every
medical man is fa.riliar.
In all cases it should be given in luiI,
bold doses, and in desperate cases with a
hand still more intrepid. The adult dose
shoulInevtr be less than drachm or a
t2aspooalull floating on a lite swectencd
water, and repeated every three or four
ho:rs, unless thc, patient SHOULD be compos.
ed or sleeping: II wever, good general
rule in regard 10 lis frequency of admins;
,ration is this: When the pulse is. depressed
give it ofieDer, when the pulse IS elevated
give it ssldorer.
In alnlos. every ease and form Of fdysen-
.tary, it will be important in the highest
degree to in,erpose occasionally s;ronG
anodyne or aful dose of opinm or laudnum,
for the purpose Of ailaying tho morbid IT.
rilabiii,v and distress of the bowels, which
now and then rccur with great intensity
For it is impossible to subdue the diseased
action oftic mucous membrane while the
causes Of irritation continue to ACT, 1t
wonld seem supsrfiuous TO advert 10 the
appropriate articles Of diet, and drinks, In
detail, as they arc generally well under
stood: thcrtore, shall only add, that they
should all be light bland, and nutritious.-
During conva!escencc, or at moments. OF
great depression in the course oCthc disease
bort wine, or any o:her sound, wineor even
a little brandy toddy, may be interposed.
Accept assurances ofthe regard OF your
obetient servant.
I HAymARxEr, (VA.) AUG. "A 1897.