The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-01-14
From the Western Citizen.
The Cholera.

From the Western Citizen.
The Cholera.
The Cholera is coming.-In 1892, its ra-
wages commenced in Asia, and passed over
Europe, and in 1884, appeared in this coun
try, and, although, probably less malignant
this side OF the water, still fulfilled a fearful
work OF destruction in this country. II has
commenced the same career, like the foot
steps of the destroying angel, passing
around the earth. In Russia, the past sea
son, it has produced fearful ravages among
her people, and il is slowly making its way
over the eastern part Of Europe, and by
another summer it will probably be this
side ofthe Atlantic. The experience. which
was had oft durint the last visitation, will
prepare the way for more successfu! com
bat with it. Medical science. which then
CROPPED in darkness, now affords some relief.
and can render some aid il softening lis
malignty and checking its progress.
But it is better to be prepared for it by
proper attention to the laws Of life, that il
may pass over US harmlessly, than 10 de.
pend upon medical aid TO cure the disease.
An ounce of preparation is worth a mound
OF cure. Boards Of health, town and city
authorities, may do much TO remove the
causes, by attending TO wholesome repula-
tons esseniia! to the public health. Streets
and alleys may be cleaned out, sinks of
filth removed, and purified. and noxious
nuisanceS abated. But people can do more
to save themselves from this anticipated
scOurge, and for their own preservation.
They should at once reform in their own
habits whatever tends tC the promotion of
disease, and the invitation of pestilence into
their families. The laws of health shold
be acknowledgements in all things
should be obServed-the body should be
daily washed, and all filth should be removed
from their habitations and wards. Houses
should be well lighted and ventilated. The
Tree circulation of pure air is one of the
greatest BURNERS. Proper exercise III the
open air should be taken bv all persons.
These are essential acquisitions for health
at all timeS-but especially so when the
public are subject to the ravaging endemic.
When the Cholera visited MS last. lis most
familiar subjects were the ntemperate in
eating and drinking, the debauchee. and
those reeking in filth, and living in deep and
uIventilated denS in the city. Epidcmics
are the judgments inflicted upon mankind
Tor their violation Of physical laws. Letthe
laws of nature and health be compiled with,
and there will be nothing for disease 10 feed
upon.-The lake towns. and the borders of
the water course of the lake outlet. Quebec,
Montreal, Buffalo, Detroit, aud the army
stations along the lakes TO Chicago, were
among the places in this country where the
cholera made its most fearful attacks.-So
will it probably be again. What fearful
time II will be for Chicago, if no means Of
prevention are taken. and our streets and
alleys remain rs filthy a. they have been
in years past. Let our people be admoni,h.
ed in season, and watch the safe guards
u public health, as for their lives.
Mr.. ilerapath, highly respectable and
scientific physician Of Bristol, England. has
published in the London Times. the results
Of his experiments upon the epidemic.
with valuable suggestions for its proven
ton.
SIN 1888, as a chemist, | laid myself out
for close examination into the cause,
mode Of propagation, and check for the
cholera. For this purpose obtained infor-
nation OF, and visited in person, all the
earliest cases which showed themselves in
this city generally, and in each great public
establishment in particular. For some
time | attended almost daily at the cholera
hospitals and experimental in every way
! could think of, upon the dead and living
subjects, their contents and cjccld, the at
mo>phcreS surrounding them, and their ar
ticlcS OF clothing. The conclusion have
arrived at, ! forward for the information
of those who have not had the same oppor.
tunlties.
"Ihat the cause ofthe cholera is a pu,rid
animal poison, capable Of being recognized
by the smell by some, emanatiug from and
the dead or living cholera sub
jectS or articles Of clothing.
"Ihat 1t is only received into the living
body through the lungs, and cannot be pro-
pagatcd by cnocnlation.
"lhat Injection Can be conveyed by art-
Giles Of clothing, bedding, Sc; aud that
are more subject 10 inicc.
ton than ordinary persons from the cause.
"Ihat all persons are not equally liable
to infection from equal exposure, aud even
the same individual becomes more Scnsi-
tive under certain circumstances,
"Ihai the poison i, destroyed by Cll0-
,iUs Gas and heat OF three hundred deg.
Fahrenheit
"Ibc two most popular diSinfectonts of
tho day-thc chloride OF zinc and the nitrate
OF lead, known as Sir W. Buruett's aud lie.
doyan'S- wM be Qfao orGii, although they
will promptly remove ordinary putrd eflu-
via. The only chemical preventative de-
pended upon in my numerous exposures TO
the virus was chlorine gas, aud this be-
lieve TO be perfect one, ifthe fumiga,ion
is complete. l invariably passed through
an atmosphere Of il on my way home, aud
kept it escaping in my residence during the
continuance of the disease in the city. |
also placed large quantities of the substance
necessary for the evolution of this gas in the
hands of Bristol Druggist who was kind
enough to distribute 200 quantities gratn.
itously to applicants during three days, with
for the nse, and am happy to
say that during that time the deaths fell
from ten to one per day, and ! have but lit
tie doubt that, irevery ship arriving in Eng.
land, from an infected place should he ex.
posed TO perfect f,migation with chlorine,
We shall DO preserved from the infection.
II tho disease should pass this Gordon, by