Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-06-16

sulphur n Cholera Specific.

we copy from the Chicago Journal the sub
joined letter, written by physician of high
standing at Chicago, who appears to believe
| that specific for the cholera has been dis.
covered in the use of sulphur. A correspon.
dent of the Albany Atlas, in referring 10 the
letter of DR.. Herrick, observes, that "sulphur,
it is said, has long been employed in cholera
by practitioners of the homeopathic school, in
accordance with directions 10 that effect in
their book" but he justly adds, that this
ought not TO prejudice the public against its
use. DR.. Blaney, mentioned in the letter, is
a man of science and research;--
Dear Sir In compliance with the request
of my friend, DR.. J. A. Bird | have made
the following brief synopsis of letter from
him, sent 10 me for publication in the North
Wesiern Medical and Surgical Journal which,
together with the few additional remarks
which I have made, You will please publish,
in order that the members of the medical
profession and our citizens generally may
have the means of testing, and the benefits
w pt ttliNtu) liOil W nat II SuploH'' w bS
new discovered remedy for the cholera.
The facts stated in the letter referred 10
above are briefly as follows
About six months since, Dr. Bird and my.
self were led into conversation upon the ef-
tects of atmospheric influences in producing
epidemics, from reading an article from
German chemist, in our periodicals, in which
it was contended, that influenza depended
upon the presence of Ozone, and that the Sc.
verify and number of attacks, as shown by
chemical analysis, was always in proportion
to the amount of this substance in the atmo-
sphere. Taking this statement in connection
with the fact, that cholera is generally pre-
ceded by inhuenzas, as shown by its history,
we were led to the conclusion, that both dis
eases might be dependant upon the same in
fluence, modified in degree according TO the
greater or less quantity of this deeterious
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 deloterious proper
ties of ozone. The accurate chemical know
| ledge of DR.. Bird, enable him TO suggest at
once the well known substance sulphur as
such a manner as to neutralize It's influence.
In searching for facts 10 support this concu-
sion, it was found that the cholera never had
prevailed in the vicinity of sulphur springs,
| .hnr ,l,c4o
hence the conclusion, that sulphur might be,
and probably was the antidote for cholera,
In one of our Medical Journals, an article
appeared describing the method Of detecting
o-onc in the atmosphere, thus supplying the
means of determining whether or not it was
present at the very time when cholera was
beginning to make its appearance amongst
us. DIR. Birds experiments, as well as those
made subsequently by himself, and by Drs
Bird, Blaney and myself from day TO day,
since that time, shows that o-one is present
in our atmosphere, and that the amount is in
proportion to the severity of the disease from
time to time
About week since Dr. Bird determined
to try the effects 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 DR.. Bird came immediately to my of.
flee, and requested me as friend, TO test its
efficacy in my practice, but 10 say nothing 10
| al, nrI IN hA nSpI
until facts should Justify its public announce
ment as discovery. The beneficial effects
resulting from IFS use in my practice was
such as TO convince me at once of its utility
in the class of cases described above. Du.
ring the last few days Drs. Bird, Blaney and
myself have continued to use this apparent
simple remedy, to the exclusion of all other:
in cases of cholerc symptoms. The result
has been wonderful All premonitory symp
toms. such as pain, a sense of fulness, unnatu
raj movements, slight diarrhea, &c, hav,
unifonaly yielded at once to dose Of ,hre,
10 four grains of sulphur.
In cases where either cramps, or diarrhe;
or vomiting have been present, and in fac
1 where all these symptoms have existed II
onjunction, the use of sulphur, in the abov
. named doses, every three or four hours, ha
had the effect TO ameliorate the patient
{ condition at once, and when used, in fey
hours, to dissipate choleric symptoms. S
far as its efficacy has been tested in the wors
l. stages of collapse, most satisfactory resul,
II have been obtained. In two or three case
l. of the kind the effect of the remedy has bee
n to bring back pulse to the wrist, restor
warmth TO the surface, and stop the profus
diarrhea and vomiting. In truth, the result
At obtained so far, have been such as to cor
H. vince all of us, who have administered i
'e and witnessed its effects, that if any remed
deserves the appellation, this is specific ft
=, cholera.
II having been determined to make III
:, public statement, it is expected in retuI
" that no hasty conclusions will be made, e
ther for Or against what appears to be pr
nd position to accomplish much by very simp
~ means Although the results SO far as o.