Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-08-09
The GhaIera Case.

No inconsiderable excitement has lately been mani
tested in our city, from what we consider a mere
difference of o%PiaiOn, between the editors of this pa
per. and a few of the Medical Faculty. On the occa-
sion of a death which occurred 10 our city. July Is. the
attendant physicians. gentlemen who sustain high
characters for intelligence and medical sc ience, said
death was pronounced as occurring from cholera.
From information from persons whom we supposed
entirely DISTINGUISHED in the matter, we doubted the
correctness of the report, as it originally appeared in
the Indiana Journal. AT that time, zoe knew not who
the physicians were, and nothing of their treatment
of the patient. Consequently, the remarks we made
could have had no bearing on them, personally nor
could the remarks which followed. by the remotest
possibility. be properly construed as applicable to
their treatment of the case.
We append a statement of facts in regard 10 the
case, as furnished US by the attending physicians;
and have no doubt of the truth Of the facts stated, go
far as they relate to their connection with the case.
On The morning Of the 18th inst, | was called TO see
Charles Ploenger, a German, who had arrived here some 8
or 6 days previously from Germany via New York, Gin
cinnati and Madison, 1 saw him at 9 o'clock, A, M, found
him in the collapsed stage Of cholera-afler learning from
his Cousin Lena Balls a history OF the case and asking her
why a physician had not been called in sooner, she replied.
he would not permit il, until he was getting cc'd hands and
feet, cramps, sc. then he said she might 90 and git a Doctor,
| told her il was too late 10 do him any good - left stimsla-
ting medicines desired her to git the ~neishbofs to assist her
in giving medicines and rubbing him with capsicum and
mustard sc. Her father and brother being in the country she
failed in procuring any assistance-But herself and the sister
Of the patient, being the only persons about the house, did
all in their power-At 2 o'clock P. NJ. | invited DR. Pullard
to see the case, gave him a statement of the fsc's-Dr Bull
lard examined the case, and without hesitation concuued
with me 10 pronouncing il a case Of genuine cholera and
stated that it was widely different from any of our diarhna
and cholera moTbus cases.
The girls at this time said they could not get any help, as
the people were afraid to come 10 the house-said also that
he had been easier after taking the medicine but had not
been %asleep-he still answered questions 10 bis cousin in
German and was rational, stimulants both externally and
internally bad had no effect in restoring the circulating-he
continued sink about ! past 8 p. M. he requested a minister
to be sent for-Mr Koontz a German preacher was called in
sy Lena. He conversed freely with the dying man = ad-
ministeTed the sacrament &C. Soon after 6 DIR b, called, be-
lieved him dying-buty yet able to answer inquiries in Ger
man nationally, | saw him last about S-tOd Lena not 10
disturb him a he was dying-at this time Lenas Father ar
rived-nOt long after the patient breathed his last. Now it
must be evident 10 any candid mind that the statements of
The Sentinel Of the 2lst put porting to be founded upon "facis
gathered from intelligent Germans conversant with the cir
csmstances attending the illness of the diseased" that he
took medicine oent 10 bed and in fen hours wds dead or in
the tcOrds Of our Informant, he "t1ent TO sleep dad neper
roke" are false in fact and in insinudtion-It cannot be
otherwise from the nature Of the case - No other Germans
except the above named and Nh KoOniz were present al
any time after | was called and they will bear full tcsiimo-
ny to the truth OF the statement here made-In addition to
this, Mr. KOontz at the grave, stated uneqcivocally, that be
had conversed with the departed, a short time before his
deaIh and that he had expressed a willingness TO die, and
had retained full possession OF his faculties until O short
time before his death.
J. L. MOTHERSHEAD
have examined the above statements, by Dr.. Mothers