Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-11-04
THE CHOLERA.


and Scotland, with suggestions for its prevention
and its treatment. As il is possible that the cholera
may come in search of victims to our shores also,
we copy the circular, omitting such portions as are
locally inapplicable:
GENERAL BoARD HEALTH,
GwYDIR HOUSE, OcToBEn s, lS4S
The General Board of HEALTH having considered the off,
ca accounts which have been received OF the of
Asatc cholera since the presentation Of the reports of the
Gopotan sanitary oommssoncan having consulted med
cal practitioners OF emnence and of special knowledge of the
subject aud having compared The tenor OF those
with the observations made respecting the former mode
of the propagation of Asac cholera in Europe have
represent
That the experience obtained Of this disease during its for
nvasons Of the country the years 1881 and 1892 and
TIE still larger experience acquired during its progress
through Persia, Egypt Syria Russia, Poland and Prussia
appears To afford ground for the correction of for
merry entertained concerning which have important bear
ing the measures both Of prevention and alevaon that
are expedient to be adopted.
The extent, uniform tenor, and undoubed authority Of the
evidence obtained from observers OF all classes, in different
countries and climates, and amidst all varieties of the phys
cal POLITICAL and social conditions OF the people, appear to
dscredt the prevalent opinion that cholera in itself
contagious opinion which, if aacious, must be mis-
chieyous since ves attention from the Of dan
ger and the real of protecon and fixes it those
which are imaginary creates panic leads to the neglect and
OF the sick occasions great expense for what
than useless and wihdraws attention from that brief
but important interval between the and the de-
most effective in its
Although it far that certain conditions may favor
IFS spread from to person. when great numbers of
the sick crowded together close unyenated apartments
yet this not be considered affecting the general pn
cpe of its oncontagious nature, such conditions
likely 10 in this country Moreover, the preventive
founded the theory of coniagon namely inter-
nal quarantine regulations sanitary cordon and the isolation
of the sick, which, formerly the strongest reliance
placed have been recently abandoned in all countries where
cholera has appeared, from the general experience of their
ineffcency.
The evidence proves that cholera almost always Affords
by pemonitory symptoms, warning of its approach in time
for the employment of means capable of aesng its progress
If indeed in certain situations where there is unusual
concentration OF the poison, in certain individuals who
peculiarly pedsposed to the disease the attack may
times appear be instantaneous, still the general conclusions
that cholera is not in itself contiguous and that commonly
gives distinct warning of its approach great facts well
calculated dves this disease of lis chief and show
the Importance of the of prevention much
more certain than those OF cure.
The proved identity Of the which promote the origin
and spread of epidemic diseases in general with those that
favor the introduction and spread of Asatc cholera appears
10 indicate the true OF pecaution and prevention
against peslence which after absence of sixteen years.
aud at when other formidable epidemic diseases
unusually prevalent and deadly, hiId visitation
and the General Board Of Health would appeal to all classes
for their cordial cooperation in carrying into effect the mea
which careful consideration has led them recommend
in the full conviction that the powers given by the legislature
for this purpose though they may not be fully adequate and
such cooperation, to be attended with highly beneficial
ultS.
Great benefit having been derived from the cleansngs that
rorted to the former visitation of cholera aud expe
ence having shown that preventive against cholera
also preventive against yphus and other epidemic and
demc Diseases the boards Of guardians should carry into
immediate effect all practical measures OF external and internal
cleansing Of dwellings in the i'll conditioned districts.
The chief predsposng of every Epidemic and espe
cay Of cholers damp, moisture, lh animal and yege
table matters in state of decomposition and IN general what
produces atmospheric impunty all Of which have the
effect Of lowering the health and ygcr of the system, and Of
increasing the susceptibility disease particularly among the
young, the aged, and the feeble.
The attacks Of cholera uniformly found to be most e
quent and vlruent in low lying districts the banks Of
rivers the neighborhcod of mouths and wherever
there large collections o refuse, particularly amidst human
dwellings In proclamation, issued Tor the protection
Of the population Of the Russian empre the important inu
Of these and similar has been recognised and the
practical recommendations founded thereon to Keep the
person and dwelling clean, allow of sinks close
the house, to admit OF poury animals within the house
10 keep apartment possible by veniton and
to prevent crowding wherever thereaaTe sick"
Houekeepers Of all classes should be warned that their first
Of safety lies n the removal OF dung heaps aud solid
and liquid filth Of every description, from beneath about
their houses Though persons long famiarZed to the pre-
snce c such refuse may not perceive s censveness nor be-
leye in its noxous properties yet all who desire TO
themselves from danger should labor for the entire removal Of
fh and the thorough cleansing Of their PREMISES which also
the law will require Of each person for the prot ction Of his
neighbors well as for his own safety
Next the perfect cleansing Of the premises dryness ought
be carefully promoted which will Of require The
keeping up Of sufficient fires particularly in the damp and
unh ahy districts where this should be resorted 10 FOR
the sake Of ventilation well as Of warmth and dyness.
From information recently obtained from Russia il appears
that in barracks, and oher places in which large
bers Of people congregate where these conditions have
been aeDoed 10 in that may be equally practsed in
private houses there has been comparative immunity from
the prevailing epidemic, exactly IN this country, where 10
public institutions though vet by perfect in the
of yeutaon there has been almost entire exep
ton from epdencs which have ravaged private houses in the
very same districts.
IT, Notwithstanding every precautionary which
be ken this disease should unhappy break out in any dis
tci then will be essential the safety Of the inhabitants
that they should be fully impressed with the importance Of
paying instant attention TO the premonioy symptom hat
nounces the commencement Of the attack.
This Lremonitory symptom is ooseness 81 the bowels,
which there regard universally preceding the
setting in of the dangerous Stage Of the disease Some
tines indeed under the circumstances already descrbed,
namely, where the poison exists unusual intensity, the
constitutional predispostion unusually great the first stage
may appear be suppressed occasionally happens in vo
lent attacks OF other diseases but la cholera this
be practically Of account and in s countries
and under all varieties o conditions in which this disease has
been epidemic, the experience THE point uniformly
with what is observed the present Ham
burg.
In most cases, writes the British Consul respecting the
epidemic, which has Just broken in that cy, "ihe Dis
has first manifested scf iu shgh, relaxation of the
bowels from which, properly attended to, the patient gen.
orally but " the symptoms neglected.