Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-07-26
Thut ChoIera Case.

1nut CnOIefu CHSc.
The Journal Of the 10Th. reported that a case of
cholera had occurred in this city. We inquired about
1t, among those believed to be cognizant of the cir
cumslances attending the illness and death of the
deceased could not believe il a case o. cholera, and
so stated in our paper of TIE 2lSt. The Journal OF
the 23d, while admitting that "Hs SeHIin,fs state
ment Of The case is substantially the same as The Jour
naFs," still contends that it uas n case of cholera.
1t sticks to this, not becausei it makes any ''preten-
sions TO a knowledge of medical science but upon
" the authority of one Of the attending physicians."
The Journal gave no authority for the statement in
the first place, but made 1t apparently upon the
strength Of its own judgment and knowledge. Au-
thorities differ, however. We were sustained by the
report Of the Board of Health, all physicians of the
~alloPaihic school, as it appeared in our paper of Sat-
urdsy. And a report of the same Board, through the
Journal, dated a day afterwards (the 2Oth) susiains
US in language still stronger. The Board, in the
latter. say that, Sup to this time our city remains
ENTIRELY FREE FROM CHOLERA" They report no
case past or present. Here is authority against
authority; but three to one in our favor.
The Journal says
"Unlike the editors of the Sentinel, we make no preteR-
sions 10 a knowledge Of medical science, and are conse-
quently unable TO say what would be the effect of the dose
mentioned il is not probable that any man would give 10
or Is grains OF morphine, unless, like the Sentinel men do
sometimes he was practising without any knowledge oil the
medicine he was using"
By the way, we did not say that any such dose
was given to this patient.
Considering its confession of utter Ignorance, the
Journal should talk less Dramatically. As to our
''pretensions," we do pretend to know 4" a hawk from
a handsaw," at least; but if the Journal is informed
of our practising without any knowledge of the
medicine" used, it i is at liberty to expose our mall
practice. We have, we confess, administered some
hard doses to that concern; and though they may not
have cured it, perhaps the failure was owing to the
fact that its 'scomplication of Diseases" are both
constitutions" and "chronic," and beyond the
reach of remedial means. Some Of the most author
itative of IS the books" for instance, teach that lep-
rosy is incurable.
We don't deal very extensively in anecdotes in the
way of political illustration: still less should we in
the grars matter of I" medical science.' But we re-
member 10 have read of a certain doctor, whose pre-
s~criptions in a certain case superinduced cOnuulsions.
The friends were alarmed; but not the doctor. He
affirmed that the case as il originally presented itself
was beyond the reach Of his skill he therefore had
Intentionally occasioned fits. He "was h-l on
fits - and now was cock sure Of a cure. Before we
can cure the diseases of the Journal, we fear we
shall be obliged to " knock it into fits, and rely upon
antispasmodics accordingly We are quite sure we
have a specific under such circumstances.
We are not DESTROYS Of making this a personal
matter with the Journal, or any body else. Its insin-
uations that we desire to disguise the truth in any
way, are, however, gratuitous and unfounded; quite
as much so as an insinuation on our part might be,
that the Journal is willing to hazard the injurious
effects of a cholera panic, for the sake of extending
or extenuating the professional reputation of one of
the family
What zoe said about this matter was dictated solely
by a regard for truth and the public good. If any
one is aggrieved, our columns are open, as they ever
are in similar cases, for the redress Of actual griev-
ances, and the correction of error. We are also
amenable 10 The laO, and are ready to meet the con-
sequences of an appeal to Unconscious as we are of
the purity of our motives and intentions, and the
righteousness of our cause.