Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-08-15
EPIDEMIC CHOLERA.

~..ao,aed 10 look 20 the writer for medical adj
Il ,es. They were prepared as guide 70 them.
Iii p!ysician could DO obtained, IN Tn. event
rh.oo asssiied by this fearful disease. In
s.rnrlisnce with the recommcn dation Of several
.eof.,sionai and otfsr friends, the document is
~ presented in this more convenient form
K not claimed that the treatment rrcofn-
s,.sded is that only which, has been, can ',-
.rces,ful: but the writer having almost
- method tested, in 1882, and @}3, AMI be-
swing his views correspond essentially with the
experience OF medical men fro.n the Ganges to
~ Mississippi is convinced III" plans herein pro-
.esed are among the most reliable
II il worthy Of note that during the supposed
.ppsoarh Of the Epiiemic. there is in the
s.vsty, for weeks or months before its outbreak,
/. swueral tendency TO arrangement Of the di-
vrst;ve organs, with the Occurrences of cases so
erscmbling the disease, that Of its advent
become rife, aud fears iai discussions agtttc the
psblic mind. In advance Of atmosphere
aronsIy impregnatrd with the infection, we
ore probably breathing IL in diluted state and
orc therefore but slightly inpresscd yet, il in
ejdsntal causes induce disordcrei bowcls. indi-
vdsais may be precipitated into ii full develop
ment Of the disease Tho warning is kindly
pspt ns and should be wisely taken.
There is another fact worthy Of rene ulbrancc.
The prevalence and virulencc Of the pcstilencc,
depends not alone on the amount OF poison in
the air, but much also upon the vary ing in
Auence Of weather, season, latitude, personal
and local circumstances. a. its fleets NAV be
thus variou-ly modified, medical men not uu fre-
quently find il necessary To vary their treatment.
THIS accounts ~ some measure, for divers
observed ~ the practice Of experienced persons,
st places distant from each other; aud teaches
~ that it would be hazardous to rriy upon plans
pursued under circumstances materially diff.
ing from our own. IL would be UNJUST too, to
condemn as erroneous, modes of practice de-
clarcJ by competent men to have been success
fuiunder their own eyes, because not correspond
ing witt, what we have
Let II be borne in mnl however, that while in
some details there may be liversties in practice,
il has been found that the pestiience, in all es-
scntial points every whore the same, and that
the Medical Profession. agree almost unanimous
y, as to the chef remedies aud the mo e Of !hrir
application. Quackery makes thou sand alb.
suFd Prefenccs, aud gives a thousand false as5ur-
snces.
SYMPTOMS
For convenience. we may consider the dis
ease IN three stagcs.
The lst or that Of coDimon diay'rtaa; Of which
the usual intin,ation - loose discharge from
the bowels, moderate in amount aud natural in
color, without pam or uncomfortable feeling
Such discharges may he often repeated. They
arr however sometimes urge. occur in quck sue
cesson, and accompanied by sense OF nausea
and debility.
The I'd, or that Of cloleric dinryh@a, in which
tho discharges dim aud light colored, some
times resembling dirty sonp sud-: It may re
watrry, with sediment resembling well
boiled rice. In this stage the skin is fast losing
its heat and cnor; the pulse fails the nd
vances; while thirst, vomiting aad cramps Of the
exircmciics, come with fearful violence.
The 81, stare Of cotk'Bse. charact ris.l by 4
nggravation OF all the distressing symptoms
VI the second The skin cold and iyid, is coy
cred with a climmy sweat; the voirr feeble aud
strangely altercd the pulls scarcely disccrnablr;
the hands and feet blue and sIrivclled.
The duration of these stages j., not uniform.
The first may quickly pass into the second the ,
second into the ihiri, either may be pro;ract-
ed. the first, even for days.
Between the discharges, there nrv he inter-
walls Of only few minutes, or of hours; bat
mark. each is more liquid thin It's predecessor
and generally more free. ana cac!, is usually Of
lighter hue. u they continue OF natural coll
or, there Is less danger; as they become thinner
and lighter colorrd, the disease IS advancing and
there il time to be lost.
Notice two common errors.
First, That a state of constipation j. favori-
Bile. II has often led to Sudden reverse. Rath-
er consider it Il prr:notitory symptom, to BE-
moved by some gcut!r medicine.
Secondly, That the attack always begins in
some violent manner. 1t is rarely in
country.
! have met witt, many cases in full develop
mcnt or fastening to fatal issue, which might
have been easily arrested III the beginning, had
not the victim been deceived by the too prcva-
lent notion. that The attack is known hy some
painful or deeply Distressing svtnptorn from the
commencement. When asked why they per-
united the diarrhoca to continue for hours or
days. without proper attention. the common re-
ply is, ''why. doctor, felt well as | ever did
in my life. had no pain, aud b id sick at
the stomach Our common cholera rnorhus
generally makes It's onset suddenly but this for
eign invader is but too frequently insilous aud
deceptive.
MEANS or PREVENTION.
Whatever gives strength. is a means Of pre-
vrntion; whatever enfrcblcs. is predis posing
cause.
THE MlvD.-Tt should be calm. There is rra-
son 70. "omPosure. seeing that Providence has
gwen us the means of safety, if we apply them
correctly.
Foop.-A full supply is necessary; yet mod
Grafton is ever a good rule.-If the tone Of your
stomach is impaired. and in cholera times it il
apt to be SO, eat less. Light bread. crackers
rice, tender meats aud such vegetables as agree
best with YOU, may be used. Articles found not
to agree, should be carefully avoided. Fruits
in every form, and nuts it is best to shun Most
persons in our country cannot safely use them
and it is best to hazard nothing.
DREss.-lhat should correspond with the sea-
son; when cold and damp. hannels aud warm
clothing are important. Keep the body warm
ENERcIsE.-Taha ii freely. Avoid exposure To
The hot sun Of summer, aud all unreasonable
bodily eXcrton.
SLEEP.--A full amount is demanded II pro-
notes the health of every organ. Have an cx-
ira blanket to draw over you. if voar chamber
is liable To become cold rs the night advances
it is dangerous 10 be cold while sleeping.
BAriu~G.--A daily. or NJ least a weekly tepid
salt bath, with active frictions over the body is
great prcserver Of health. The cold bath is
best for those who feel warmed and refreshed by
il.
BrsIvEss.--It is unsafe 10 abandon our regular
nvocations; and the height of folly for families
To break up hastily, and fly from n pcstilence
that may overtake them anywhere. and which
will be likely To keep them on the wing for wears
During ITS iormer visitation, had L in our
city three successive seasons Many then per
ishcd iii their flight. Ear from home and hevcud
the reach of friends and medical attendants
MEANS OF CURE.
Send promptly for physician, is the firs, in
junction.
Until he arrives, what is TO DE done, Consii-
er for a moment three of the leading character
stics Of the disease; loose boce!s loss f sirepgfb
loss Of heat. What does daily expe fence dictate.
IN such a state Of things To go directly to our
beds, and cover up warmly. Disorder Of the
ooweis, everybody knows. is Increased by going