Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-06-15
CHOLERA.


We give the following place, with great
pleasure, merely adding that the excitement
caused by the discovery, has been heightened
by the success it has met with, IN eases where
almost every citizen has witnessed or expe-
rienced its effects, in the premonitory symp-
toms of cholera.
We may add, that the eminence of Drs.
Herrick & Blaney, in their profession, who
use It IN their practice, and testify to the eff
fects of this remedy, should at once command
for this specific its general adoption, IN cases
Of cholera, and its thorough testing by the
profession, in all localities affected.
EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL
DEAR SsE---fn compliance with the request
of my friend, DIR. Ii. Bird, [ have made the
following brief synopsis of a letter from him,
sent to me for publication In the n ortfT We
ern Medical and Surgical Journal, which to-
gether with the few additional remarks which
have made, you will please publish, IN or
der that the members of the medical profession
and our citizens generally, may have the means
Of testing, and the benefits to be derived from
what is supposed to be a newly discovered
remedy for cholera.
The facts stated in the letter referred to a.
bove, are briefly as follows:
About six months since, DIR. Bird and my
self were led into a conversation upon the eff
fects of atmospheric influence in producing
epidemics, from reading an article from Ger
man chemist, in one of our periodicals, IN
which it was commended, that influenza depen-
ded upon the presence of ozone, and that the
severity and number of the attacks, as shown
by chemical analysis, was always IN proper
ton to the amount of this substance In the at
mosphere.
Taking this statement in connection with
the fact that cholera is generally preceded by
influenza, as shown by its history, we were
led to the conclusion that both diseases might
be dependent upon the same influence, modi-
fed in degree according to the greater or less
quantity of this deletenous agent present in
the atmosphere at the time.
The next step in the investigation, was to
determine what agent would counteract the
influence and destroy the deleterious proper
ties of ozone.
The accurate chemical knowledge of DR..
Bird, enabled him to suggest at once the well
known substance sulphur as possessing the
property of acting upon 1t In such a manner
as to neutralize its influence.
In searching for facts to support this con-
cluson, it was found that cholera never pre-
vailed in the vicinity of sulphur springs, or
In situations where this substance abounds;
hence the conclusion that sulphur might be,
and probably was the antidote for cholera.
article appeared describing the method of de-
tecting ozone in the atmosphere, thus supply
ing the means of determining whether or not
it was present at the very time when cholera
was beginning to make its appearance amongst
US.
Dr. Birds experiments as well as those
made subsequently by himself and by Drs.
Bird, Blaney and myself from day to day,
since that time, show that ozone Is present IN
1 IL H.,
portion to the severity of the disease.
About week since DIR. Bird, determined
to try the effect of sulphur upon himself and
others, troubled as nearly all have been more
or less of late, with uneasy sensations, slight
pains &c., in the digestive organs. The re-
suit was entirely satisfactory, so much so that
DIR. Bird came Immediately TO my office, and
requested me friend to test its efficacy IN
my practice, but to say nothing to others with
regard to the ingredients used until facts should
Justify its public announcement as discovery.
The beneficial effects resulting from its use
in my practice, was such as to convince me
at once of its utility in the class of eases des-
cribed above.
During the last few days, Drs. Bird, BIa-
ney and myself have continued to use this ap-
parent simple remedy to the exclusion of
nearly all others, in all cases with choleric
symptoms. The result has been wonderful,
All the premonitory symptoms, such as pain,
a sense Of fulness, unnatural movements,
slight diarrhea, &C., have uniformly yielded
at once, to slight dose of three or four grains
of sulphur.
In cases where either cramps, diarrhea or
vomiting have been present, and in fact where
all these symptoms have existed in conjunc-
ton, the use of sui hur, In the above named
doses every three or four hours, has had the
effect to amellorate the patients condition at
once, and when continued, in a few hours to
disipate entirely choleric symptoms.
So far as its efficacy has been tested in the
worst stage of collapse, most satisfactory re-
suits have been obtained. In two or three
cases of the kind, the effect of the remedy has
been to bring back pulse to the wrist, restore
warmth to the surface, and stop the profuse
diarrhea and vomiting.
In truth. the results obtained so far, have
been such as to convince all of us, who have
it, and witnessed its effects, that
IT any remedy deserves the appelation, this is
a specific for cholera.
1t having been determined to make this pub
lie statement, 1t is expected in return, that no
hasty conclusions will be made, either for or
against what appears to be a proposition to ac-
complish much by very simple means.
Although the results, so far as obtained in
short time, and by few individuals, seem to
justify our conclusions, it is hoped that phys
icians will continue to depend on what they
consider the most efficient practice, in bad ca
ses of cholera, until they shall have tested the
matter themselves, and formed their own con-
illusions and also, that whatever may be the
confidence of individuals in this or any other
remedy, they will not depend upon their own
judgment in any case, even of slight symp-
toms, when ever it is possible to consult their
physician.
1t is suggested by DR.. Bird, that combi-
nation cf powdered charcoal, one part to four
OF sulphur, has seemed to make the remedy
more efficient.
w. B. HERRICK,