Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-08-02
Newspaper Prescriptions.

People should be careful about taking newspaper
prescriptions for Cholera, on trust. We have seen
the following correction In several Of our exchanges:
"MoRPHrNE PaEscHIrrrON FOR CHoLERA.-we published
on Saturday a prescription purporting TO be from n Louisiana
planter and physician, recommending as a preventive of the
cholera, a dose Of five to ten or twelve gains of calomel,
with ten or fifteen grains Of morphine at night. Our atten-
iion has been called to the fact that this dose of morphine
should be the tenth or fifteenth PART Of q grain, as one
grain OF morphine is equal TO one hundred aud twenty drops
of lsudanum. The prescription thus rendered is admitted to
be a good one but in all cases II would be most advisable
for those who may be so unfortunate as to have occasion for
cholera medicine, or who should desire to use preventives,
to secure a prescription from some physician"
Ten or fifteen grains of morphine would be about
equal TO only thirty-eight or ffty-fve grains of OPT
um. There can be no doubt that such a dose would
effectually arrest Cholera by extinguishing the patient.
And the correction is ridiculous. One-ffteenth part
of a grain of morphine would be scarcely one-fourth
of a grain of opium, rather an inefficient dose in SO
violent a disease as Cholera.
Before using any prescription of the newspapers,
people ought to ask some judicious physician whether
it will not destroy life rs well rs Cholera.
The above appeared some weeks since in the Ma
tlonal Era. edited by DR.. Bailey. 1t was in nllusion
to it that we made a remark, in connection with the
cholera case reported by the Journal, which was mis-
applied in a certain quarter.
Perhaps it will not be considered offensive to any
of the doctors, if we copy the following remarks.
touching this subject, from the American Journal Of
Homeopathy:
ADVERTISED CHOLERA REMEDrEs-It has been said that
it is an easy thing to deceive the public. We have had our
doubts of the truth of this remark, but during The prevalence
Of the Cholera in this city, our confidence in The intelligence
Of the mass Of our people under the influence of an epidemic
like the one now existing, has diminished. The most seri-
Gus deceptions have been practiced upon them through the
means Of the press. Few indeed seem to have know ledge
Of the ways of the press; and in consequence Of the absence
Of the designing and unprincipled. The press has been re-
sorted TO, by druggists, by quack medicine merchants. by
physicians individually, and collectively, urging their claims
upon the community 10 relieve il from The death grasp OF The
Cholera. As il respects advertising we don't complaiS Of
that, but we do not think il right on the payment of an ex-
ira amount of money, advertisements should appear as the
voluntary work of the Editor, who is not suspected Of hav-
ing any other object than the public good. This is an evil
OF magnitude, especially in regard TO medicine. This is ono
OF the ways OF the press, which the people should UNDER
stand, or they will be imposed upon, as many have been.
and thereby parted with their money, with their health, aud
in some instances with their lives. As a general thing, no
recommendation Of any remedy, or OF any mode Of practice
in the cure Of Cholera by a newspaper, especially where an
individual is alluded to, but il is a regular paid advertise
ment, at an extra rate for a seeming endorsement Of the Edi-
tor. We think, on the whole, il is the safest TO disregard
every thing recommended in the newspapers for Cholera, aud
each one consult his own phys IN, whatever quality he
may De Of. We had rather trust to the advice of the weak
est Of the weak in the profession, than to run the Isk Of our
judgment in the various remedies. modes o. living, Sc, Sc,
urged upon the people in the newspapers.
A single prescription for Cholera inserted in one Of our
daily papers, would put thousands of dollars into the pockets
Of the druggists in a single day, especially when the Editor
endorses II, or seems TO do so. There Is, however, such an
appetite among the people 10 swallow drugs, that in writing
this article we shall probably only have our labor for our
pains. We will not interfere with the rights Of any one 10
swallow what he pheases, but we want him to do the thing
undeI standingly when he drinks poison we wish the label
to be upon IL, that be may know what he is swallowing.
There are probably a few who prefer death to life, aud yet
they do not dare to commit direct suicide, but " whip the
devil around the stump" they swallow large quantities Of
advertised medicines, aud when death comes by this means,
the blame they think rests upon the Advertisers and the edi-
tors, and in no sense upon themselves. Well, we suppose,
men can in some instances, choose iheiu own way. to get out
Of this world aud into the next; and those who prefer a
E slow but sure poison under the advice OF advertisements,
may crafty their inclination 10 this respect. and no one, in
this republican country should object. Seriously, this drug
eating and drug drinking is a formidable matter which can
only be corrected by The influence Of the truly educated
members Of the profession. And there is but one way to
exert this influence successfully, and that is, by curing the
sick promptly, safely aud certainly.