Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-01-18
THE CHOLERA.

As it is now morally certain that the Cholera will
make its appearance amongst MS on or before the
arrival of steamboats, at wharfs it behooves the
citizens Of Burlington to take such measures
calculated to divest it of its violent character, and
to prevent far possible its extension; and for
that purpose would respectfully recommend the
adoption Of the following report, it embraces in
my estimation, nearly every measure calculated to
accomplish the object. II. HOUGHToN, M. D.
GENERAL BOARD OF HEALTH,
GwyDIR HORSE, OCTOBER S, 1e4s.
The Gen. Board Of Health, having con-
sidered theoflicial accounts which havcheen
received Of the course Of the A static chol-
era since the presentation Of the reports Of
the metropolitan sanitary commissioners,
and having consulted medical practitioners
of eminence and Of special knowledge Of
the subject, and having compared the tenor
of those recent accounts with the observa-
tons made respecting the former mode of
the propagation of Asiatic cholera in Eu-
rope. have now TO represent
That the experience obtained of this dis
ease during its former invasions of the
country in the years 1881 and 1892 and
the still larger experience acquired during
its recent progress through Persia, Egypt,
Syria, Russia, Poland, and Prussia, APP
pears to afford ground for the correction
Of some views formerly entertained con-
corning it which have an important bear
ing on the measures, both Of prevention
and alienation, that are expediert to be
adopted.
The extent, uniform tenor, and undonbt-
ed authority Of the evidence obtained from
observers of all classes, in different coun-
tries and climates, and amidst all varieties
of the physical, political, and social condi-
tons of the people, appear TO discredit the
once prevalent opinion that cholera is in
itself contagious, an opinion which, If fall
lacious, must be mischievous, since it d.
verts attention from the true source of
danger and the real means of protection,
and fixes it on those which are imaginary;
creates panic; leads to the neglect and
abandonment of the sick; occasions great
expense for what is worse than useless;
and withdraws attention from that brief
but important interval between the COM
mencement and the development of the
disease, during which remedial measures
are most effective in its cure. ..-..
Although il is so far true that certain
conditions may favor its spread from per-
son to person, as when great numbers Of
the sick are crowded together in close UNI
ventilated apartments, yet this is, not TO be
considered as affecting the general princi-
pie Of its non-contagious nature, nor are
such conditions likely to occur in this
country. Moreover, the preventive mea-
sures founded on the theory of contaeion,
namely, internal quarantine regulations,
sanitary cordons, and the isolation Of the
sick, on which, formerly, the strongest
reliance was placed, have been recently
abandoned in all countries where cholera
has appeared, from the general experience
of their inefliciency. 81.
The evidence also proves that cholera
almost always affords, by premonitory
symptoms, warning of its approach, in
time for the employment of means capable
OF arresting its progress. II, indeed in
certain situations, as where there is an
unusual concentration Of the poison, or in
certain individuals who are peculiarly pre-
disposed to the disease, the attack NAV
sometimes appear to be instantaneous,
still the general conclusions, that cholera
is not in itself contagious, and that it COM
monty gives distinct warning of its ap-
proach, are two great facts well calculated
to divest this disease of its chief terrors.
and to show the paramount importance of
the means of prevention, SO much more
certain than those Of cure.
The proved identity Of the causes which