The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-03-29
TVoodSfeM, March a5M 1914.

Woodsfsld, March e5M 1914.
Mr.. MoRRrs;-ln the years 1913
IA and rs, there appeared an epidem
ic at Black Rock, among the Unitet
States troops, which spread Itself owe
the whole nation and carried off thou
sands Of our citizens, before any eff
cient,means to arresti,s progress were
found out. As was with that disease
on the Lakes in 1918, and had oppor
tunites of witnessing its operation.
in "a and 'l5, farther south in the state
of Ohio, and was one of the sufferers
from its severe attacks; ! will give
you some Of the symptoms by which il
was characterised. My reasons for SC
doing are the following, viz:
From my most careful observations
| am induced to believe, that there is a
disease in the air at this time. which,
from its violence. is likely to prove IA
tai to many. 2nd. am strongly of o,
pinion, that the present epidemic is
none other than the old disease of 'l3,
IA and IS, againrevisiting the United
States. 3rd. AS it will be impossible
for the physicians of this county TO at
tend to all who may be taken. 1t seems
to me to be duty | owe to my fellow
men, to publish the most successful
mode Of treating that disease. BY do
ing this manv valuable lives NAV be
saved, who otherwise might fall victims
to its devastating virus.
First then its Symptoms were, lst a
universal chill operating so intensel y on
the vital powers, as to make them feel
as though every spark Of fire was con-
veyed away from the system by the
most raw and disagreeable East wind.
End. Universal proslration, and in ma
ny cases total loss Of strength. 3rd.
oevere pain in some particular part,
striking US though it were sundering or
tearing the flesh from the bone. This
frequently took place in the thumb, the
great toe, the palms Of the hands, the
bottoms Of the feet, the elbows, the
calfof the leg, the back of the neck,
and the loins; no place was exempt.
4th. In many cases, but not in all, sud
den swelling of the glands Of the neck
and throat; which, in the commence
ment Of the epidemic, caused some to
mistake the disease for a Quinsy, the
face and head frequently sweIled. and
gave syn? m?toms OF putrid Erysipelas.
5th. In many cases pain in the chest,
resembling pleulisy, with light coughs,
accompanied the disease. 9th. Pulse
not much faster than common, some
times much slower, almost every vari-
ETY. of pulse attended it. Some died in
ls hours, some in less; some in "a,
some IN sc, and some fingered 5 or 20
days. Some turned spotted, some look
ed natural.
lis NAME.-Thc common people
called this disease the Cold Plague,
from the exceeding cold feelings accom-
panying it, and the speedy deaths that
followed its attacks. Physicians differ
ed. for a while in their opinions, but f.
nally the major part called it Putrid
Typhus.
TREATMENT.--T lancet was
used in its commencement; but was al
most universally destructive to the pa
tient. This was abandoned and the
nnti-phlogistic plan moderately pursued
the lancet. This was but lit
tie better; yet in those cases where
Ply yalism could be induced, success was
certain. But the swiltness of the pro-
yress and termination of the fever was
such, that not many patients could be
brought under tile influence of calomel;
yet where it could be introduced, it
proved sovereign remedy, but its fail
ire in taking command of the system in
lue time to afford relief, led practition-
RS TO seek for a more speedy remedy.
rhis they found in the SWEATING
Ian. This simple plan became most
'otent in giving almost instantaneous
eliefto the poor distracted sufferer.
is fame soon took wings, and every
ther plan was laid aside; machines
we're invented for the purpose, and
ept ready, even where the disease