The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-08-13
THE CHOLERA


cholera that we have seen, is given by cores.
pendent of the N. Y. Journal Of Commerce. CDR.
Bettner, an experienced cholera physician,) from
whose communication are taken the following
extracts
Cholera is disease of the vascular system
An inverted action OF the fluids of the BODY takes
place; they are thrown iuwardly upon the stom-
ach and bowels, and with such force, in violent
cases, that the blood is deprived OF its serum the
muscles are contracted the whole system emp
tied OF its fluid contents, and collapse and death
speedily ensue. These facts explain at once the
rationale OF the treatment which should be adopt.
ed. The indication is TO re.establish the normal
action of the fluids, and to divert them back to
the surface, whittier they most naturally tend -
The most proper medicines are those which re.
strain the action Of the bowels, and by their slim.
ulating and diffusng character, produce prompt
determination to the skin. External applications
and frictions which aid in producing healthy
surface action, are included in those remedies
which are known to possess efficacy in arrestiug
the disease.
The peculiar nature of the malady, andsits eff
feet upon the vascular system, give rise to MANY
useful and instructive suggestions Fluids in the
system are In general governed by the same n.y.
drostatic laws as fluids out of the system. Some
oil the wlsest and most salutary provisions of ma
ture have reference to the disposition distribution
and reguative action of fluids. These laws are
all based upon the protoundest wisdom, and it is
remarkable that fluids out OF place, either in the
body or out OF it, always occasion more or less in
convenience or injury. In regard to the human
system, If they are thrown suddenly upwards
upon the brain, they produce apoplevy; il abnor.
mally upon the kidney, they cause diabetis; il
upon the cavities and cellular structure dropsy:
IL too much upon the surface, sweating, sickness:
aud il upoI the bowels, cholera
In every human frame the fluids predominant
in volume over the solids, but in some constitu
tons the excess is much greater and more appar-
ent than in others; that is, with those who Dos.
sess sanguinous, and especially with the phleg
matte or watefy temperaments. In this class
must be included children, who are very vascu
lar, and universally predisposed to bowel atfec.
tons.
Moisture is an element of growth. Vascular
ity favors luxurancy both in animals and yege-
tables. Children from their vascularity, are in a
growing state, ard plethoric persons in mature
life are no less so, and increase in size. not nv
height, but by breadth CT continual enlargement
and expansion. There is an opposite condition OF
things, namely with the non vacular, or the at
tenuated, who lose instead of gaining; these de.
cline and waste away. They grow small by de.
grees, but not beautifully less Strong. able
bodied individuals have their vascular system in
harmony with their powerful physical develope.
ments; hence these, as we'll all others OF full
habits OF robust health, are prone to severe visi-
tatioDs by any violent disease. such as cholera
plague, or yellow lever.
In the East Indies, where the cholera commits
fearful ravages, and is remarkably quick in its
course, was struck with the plump, round. and
vascular forms of the inhabitants in that portion
OF the world.
Such generally are the Irish, and of this de-
scription are the blacks of the South, who suffer
more from this scourge than the whites The
porittrous structure OF their skins not only avors
Persplratlon, but likewise admits the ESCAPE of
animal eff1uvid, and when interrupted in its func.
tons, exposes them at once TO a DANCER of this
KIND, while, on the contrary, it exempts them
under ordinary circumstance from febrile attacks.
AGAIN, cholera is always rendered worse by
moist, close, vapory and oppressive weather,
condition OF the atmosphere which predisposes to
languor and debility, and a general Relation of
the tissues, and was precisely the kinduof wealth.
er experienced 10 New Orleans during the last
winter during the epidemic there; for, although
IL was the winter season, the temperature was
generally that OF summer, o. that kind of cold
which aggravates disease without arresting II.
We are now commencing the orst month in the
year, (AugustO when bowel affections are ALWAYS
numerous aud more common than any other com.
Piaints, and to diminish the violence OF the epi.
demic, those persons who, from constitutional IL
abilities and pecuiarites are most exposed to il.
require to exercise the strctest precautions. The
tone OF the system should be maintained by exer
else and by wholesome fare. Abstinence and
close living are out OF place, as we are not con-
tending against infammatory action. Dry fric.
tons and rubbing the body night and morning,
act with more efficacy than bathing. The latter
should never be used to such degree as to oc.
casion paleness. Many persons do not seem to
be aware that bathing can be carried to excess
In case OF debility, or where there is dsccl.
ored condition of the bowels. it should be imne
diately intermitted, either warm or cold, and an
phcations OF alcohol, cologne or brandy paregoric
or iaudanum, made with dry irictions over the
stomach, IONS, &c. They should be well and
briskly rubbed in.
Ii the system should be very vascula-, with
other prudential measures and invigoratng means.
the living should consist OF nutritious meats and
some dry, absorbent bread, such as soda Boston
biscuit
IN disease characterized by huidity, exces.
sive drinks, which surcharge the vessels and
keep up untavorable tendencies, should be avoid.
ed. o'N
There is one peculiarly of the cholera which
Is worthy OF notice One attack does not insure
an exemption from subsequent ones, but increases
the liability to them. In this respect it is like
n IsaE. H.