The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-30

4
The New Orleans Bulletin Of the 18th con.
tains letter written to the Editor Of that pa.
per, by DR.. Coke, detailing some of his obser.
va'ions Ut the disease in Europe, together with
suggestions a. to the course he thinks ought "a
be pursued wherever II makes its appearance.
We take the subjoined interesting extract from
the letter:
! During sojourn Of several wears in the south
Of Europe, for the benefit Of my health. fou nd
myself. with my family, In the city Of Genoa,
IN the summer Of 1885, upon the appearance Of
the choiera In that city, where we remained m
al the disease had almost if not entirely disap-
peared Having passed week in the principal
hospital, upon the appearance Of the cholera in
81, and having daily visited the hospitals ap-
Propriated for the cholera patients in Philadel-
Phia' besides attending to my private patients,
could not, Is an American physician, remain
an idle spectator of the ravages of the disease
as witnessed at every hour Of the day. I visit
cd daily the largest hospital in Genoa, and, al
thoughts stranger, was requested TO give my
opinion about the disease then existing and
spreading. Having complied with the request,
took occasion to offer q few remarks a. 10 the
possibility OF preventing or moderating the ef-
fects OF the disease, upon the large body of
troops at that time quartered in the city, and
numbering, officers and men, not far short of
10000.
us unnecessary 10 advert to the causes which
Induced the proper authorities to act out to the
letter the advice given; suffice IL 10 say, ouch
was the fact, and the result most gratifying.
Having, when Ia New York. as also in Phil
adeiPhia, during the existence of the cholera.
decided as to the proprety Of abandoning the
use OF all and every fruit and vegetable, and
conhning myself and those with whom i had
any influence, to healthy and sufficient diet of
rice, stale bread, the usual meats, with few ex-
cePtions, and water, with or without a little
wine, as might be desired. adopted the same
course in Genoa, and with the same happy ef.
fects
A number Of Americans and Englishmen, at
that time in Genoa, adopted the same course
OF living, and in every instance with equal ad-
vantage.
The principal measures recommended for the
large body Of military, were
LIST. The absolute exclusion of vegetables and
fruits.
End. The use of the best quality of fresh
meats.
3rd. The best bread-stale preferable.
4th. As all were accustomed TO the daily nae
of wine Of very ordinary character, that of
better quality TO be substituted.
9TH. To substitute the winter uniform instsad
of the light dress'then worn
9th. To have no more parades than were alb
solutely necessary.
Ii is possible | might have suggested other
but not having copy Of the letter
containing them. only notice those considered
Of primary importance, and WHICH were doubt
less mainly instrumental in effecting the good
desired and accomplished.
In conclusion, il is only necessary to remark, |
that the above rules were rigidly enforced, un- |
der military discipline. particularly as 10 diet
and clothing; the Governor not only setting the |
example, but issuing the strictest order for their
observance by the troops, and before we left the
,ity, which was not until the disease had ceased.
had the satisfaction Of being informed, that, |
while among the inhabitants who pursued THAR
usual course and habits. the mortality was enor- |
nous, amounting on some days, to 400 and 500. |
sno in the aggregate, to : or 10000, i'm the
course of seven weeks, the health of the trooos
good, and l leaned from the G oyern-
Dr. that the whole number Of deaths among than
lid not exceed fifty.
As regards the possibility Of preventing the
approach OF this disease by any system Of qua
rantine, the evidence Of the inutility of IL in
those countries where immediate death was the
Of an Infringement Of the quaran-
line laws, affords sufficient answer.
BY observing the system Of diet above recon-
mended, in conjunction with warm clothing.
avoiding undue exposure in wet and chilly wealth
Or, and, upon the first appearance ofany of the
premonitory or other symptoms, going to bed,
and sending for a physician previously 10 using
any remedies whatever. ! feel perfect assurance
that the disease will be disarmed Of mora than
half Of its danger.
Respectfully yours, ETC.,
EDWARD JENNER COKE, MD.