The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-09
THE called 0NI A N.
The cholera---1ts Approach.


following lengthy, but important article upon
the subject from the Boston Mercantile Jour-
nal:
There is some reason to believe that the
cholera will make its appearance in this coun-
try in the course of few MONTHS. 1t is fol-
lowing in the same track as in 1912 and is
advancing at about the same rate of progress
sion. Its ravages, however, have not been
so great during its present progress, neither
has the disease proved so formidable as on its
former appearance. Not only has the medi-
cal faculty acquired a more accurate knowl-
edge of The nature Of the disease, but il has
treatment. There is, consequently, no rea-
son to expect that the malady will prove as
fatal as in 1882 In this section of the coun-
Try we may reasonably expect an immunity
from this disease to the same extent as in
that year. The theory ofDr Jackson, that it
never ravages regions which are, geological
", based upon granite formation, is plausi-
bic, and is supported by well-attested facts.
"A communication, confirming the theory of
Dr. Jackson, recently appeared in the Cincin-
natl Guz. in which the writer ndduced many
instances in which the cholera passed over
tracts of country of The character mentioned,
in various parts of the United Suites and Eli
rope, whilst it ravaged neighboring tracts Of
different geological structure.
Doubtless few cases of this disease will
occur in our midst, and it is the duty not OIL
y of the public authorities, but ofevery pri-
mte citizen, to adopt the proper precautions
10 prevent its spread. Every individual
should possess an accurate knowledge of the
prediaPasing causes and characteristics of
tbe disease, and they will thus be enabled to
guard against an attack .. .a. .... ......
The cholera is formidable only in its name.
With prosper treatneat, it may be checked
in It's earlier stages as readily as any other
disease. 1t is only through neglect that it
MOVES fatal This will become evident by
the following statement of the nature of the
attack, which is extracted from an address
Ofthe Central Board of Health, Dublin: Nj.
at seems to be well established fact, and
one that cannot be too strongly impressed
upon the minds of the people generally, as
upon this fact depends the best mode OF sue
cessiully concluding with the disease, that in
nearly all cases Of cholera there are two sta
ges OF the disease, the first being merely di-
arrhGa, or simple looseness ofthe bowels;
the second being the stage ofcolapse,or blue
cholera, marked by cramps, failure of the cir
CuIaon, lividily OF the skin, cold claInmy
lersp ration, and all the other well-kuown
symptoms of the disease. In the first stage
Of the disease medical treatment is frequent
y successful iii the second stage too often Of
no avail. .fI. ....-. ... 1850 ..
The first stage, diarrhDu, or mere loose
ness of the bowels, may be of only n few
hours duration, or may continue from one tO
several days. 1t is most important TO bear
in mind, that this diarrh1a may he entirely
wllhuot pain; indeed, it is most frequently
without pain, or merely accompanied witt
tri1lng gliping uneasiIless. This absence of
pam, or the little accompanying uneasiness
has too often thrown the patient off his guard
who has thus neglected the warning OF his
danger, and has allowed the time for cure to
pass by. u.n.a.. .... .... a-..
1t may be safely asserted, that during the
prevalence ofan epidemic of cholera, diar-
rhGa or looseness of the bowels, which is
Tree from pain,i is more dangerous, more like.
ly TO he the first stage of the disease, than di
arrhGa, accompanied with gripping or pain
Let it, then, be clearly understood, that wher
The epidemic is prevalent, mere looseness of
the bowels, with or without pain, may be thu
commencement or first stage of cholera
That the disease is generally durable in thi.
Stage, and that not II moment should be los
In applying for relief u'ua a..i |a ras.H.H
The cholera is not contagious. This fact ha.
0een well-established. 1t is an epidemic
which is transmitted by certain almosuheri,
influences, but actual contact with n nerso,
afflicted with the disease, is not necessor;l,
dangerous. On this point we have the fol
lowing remarks in the "officaI notificatio,
ofthe General Board of Health, London
document ofmuch interest and Importance
"Ihe extent, uniform tenor, and undoub
ed authority of the evidence obtained fror
observers of all classes,in different countrie
ana climates, and amidst all varieties of tn
physical, political, and social conditions o.
lha people,appear to discredit The once prey
aieht opinion thai cholera Is, In itself conta
Sious; an opinion which, if fallacious, mus
he mschievous, since it diverts attention for
The true source of danger,S the real means 0
protection, q fixes it on those which are i'm
SSsnary; creatures panic; leads to the negec
abandonment OF the sick; occasions greu
expense for what is worse than useless; an
~llhdraws attention from that brief bur i'm
por1ant interval between the commencement
anu me development of the disease dur
,S winch remedial measures are most effec
live in its cure.
A.. hlthough it is SO far true that certain con
n n".ons may favor its spread from person t
pessoh' as when great numbers ofthe sic
1 crowded together, in close unvenriIate
a s oe, yet this is not to be CONSIDERS
con, uecung the general principle of its non
IlkekY % occur in H. 81 ,'Ne.N'N.'