The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-06-01
Epidemic Cholera.

Ma. EDIToR:-The following interest.
ing letters of DIR. Drake. on a subject
which is now eugrossing the public atten-
ton, are so explicit, and at the same time
comprehensive, as to make their contents
of Infinite value to the community. DR..
Drake in these letters, is no enthusiastic
MeOrist, but contents himself with pro-
claiming what he conceives 10 6e the gen.
erai result of experience and observation,
on this painfully interesting subject--and
| do not believe hazard anything in say
ing that his statements and recommends
tions meet the hearty approval of his
brethren ofthe healing profession. NJ.
From The Daily Cincinnati Gazette.
To tie people Of Cincinnati: The pub
lication of the Board of Health. and the
weekly report ofthe Trustees ofthe Hos.
pital, in yesterdays Daily Gazette, hav-
ing shown that the Cholera has at length
begun to prevail among us as an epidem,
ic. propose to say few words on cer-
tain points in which all have deep in
terest.
In the first place, then. let no one leaUe
the city because the epidemic has come.
In whatever unknown manner that dis
order travels from country TO country, it
is not, like small pox, catching disease;
if it were, going out Of the city would be
a preservative. AS in 1882. the cases
which have now occurred, were in various
retired parts of the city, and largely a.
mong women and children, who had been
in no degree exposed to boats, railroad
stations, or hotels, where they could have
caught any disease. In fact, the cause
has spread MrO4gA the city, and already
been received into the bodies of its in
habitants-old and young-rich and poor;
and they who escape to the country are
as likely-more likely-to be i'll, than if
they remained at home. The true and
safest course is for families and friends
to draw closer than common, and watch
over and assist each other.
In the second place it ought to be
known, that the Epidemic Cholera has
no premOnitOry symptoms. When the
sentinel on the walls of fortified city fires
his gun. it is premonition that the enc,
my is close a; hand-when there is a cir
Gle round the moon, it is a premontory
sign of storm; but Cholera attacks with.
out aay premonition. We are accustom-
ed to apply the word Cholera 10 sum,
mer disease Of our own climate, which
generally begins with gOmiting, or that
symptom and darrhea combined; and
have, therefore, fallen into the fatal error
ofregarding the first stage of Epidemic
Cholera. as a fore-runner of the disease.
Every man, woman, and child, ought TO
know that, from the moment when the
darrhea sets in the Cholera is as positive
ly present as when it has advanced to
vomitingor coldness and collapse When
one shiugle sends up smoke, the roofis
as positively on fire as when the flames
light up the city. The man who should
stand still when he saw the smoke, say
ingit was only premonitory sign that
his house might be on fire after while,
would be regarded as insane; yet his alb.
surdity would be no greater than that of
the individual who does not regard him.
self as laboring under tile Cholera, from
the moment the diarrhea begins.
In the third place. it may be declared
as fact, that the disease may generally
be stopped, ifmet in that early stage; at
all events, if it cannot then be put an end
to, it cannot afterwards. 1t will run its
coulse, and the patient may or may not
recover. according to his constitution.
But let no one believe that this first, mild
stage. can be successfully treated, if the
patient continues on his feet. His life
depends on his lying by-no medicine
can succeed ifhe should not. They may
check it for the moment, and delude him
into fatal security, but can go no farther.
In the fourth place, all persons who
have worn flannel during the winter
should keep it on, until the epidemic has
passed away. They may put on cooler
outer clothing, but should not throw off
what they have worn next the surface of
the body.
To morrow, these practical remarks
will be extended. Meanwhile, l may
say, that they most certainly express the
experience and settled opinions of the
medical profession, both in Europe and
this country.
DANIEL DRAKE, M. D.
Cincinnati, May 10th, 1S49.