Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-30

tegrity Of structure OF in bringing about equilib
rum between those fluids? Would it not be as |
absurd TO rely upon .srtIhcal Galvansm as RENE
dy in this disease, as it would be to attempt TO rec
tify the defects of an ordinary Battery which re-
1uircd the tools and skill of the mechanic. by in
Producing into ita current from another Battery |
or to substitute such current for the chemica,
gents which are required TO put it in action? So |
much for this theory which is surely too visionary
and fancifu. not TO say absurd, satisfy the minds
of any whose chief object is truth upon this i'm
.portant subject.
Tho physiological doctrine which looks upon
Cholera as violent Castro Enteritis OF nflamma-
ton OF the mucous membrane of tho stomach and
bowels, numbers among lis supporters many OF the
most distinguished names known TO the profession,
end would seem to be supported by the more prom
ment features Of the disease. Unfortunately how
ever for this doctrine, the autopsic examinations
which have been made. have failed TO disclose in
many cases those evidences of disease in that
braue, which ought TO have been found in nearly
" not all. did constitute its true We're
1t its actual seat. had proceeded thus far when
there fell into my hands, the report of Doctor IL
w. Bailey. 10 the President and Directors of the
Maryland PeGitentiary in 1882, in which after de-
claring "there can be no doubt about the PATHOLOGY
cal condition in the disease, whatever mystery may
overhang the character and operation OF the origin
ating cause" he goes on TO say ''Ihis condition
as before inlimaed is primarily, one of irritation of
the Castro intestinal mucous membrane, resulting
In inflammation and congestion with consequent de-
bilitatng evacuations," &C., sc. He then attempts
10 get rid of the objection ESQ fatal TO the doctrine
unless expained) that in many cases no trace or
evidence ofprevious inflammation was discovered by
POST mortem research, in the language following :
''nor the blanched appearance of this membrane
as discovered sometimes upon autopsc examination
any proofof the absence of previous inflammation (;
ftis appearance scas found only ,clcre there had
been ercess,re serous discharges by sctch the
SETS reHered."
The ieebeness Of this attempt, emana,inr as it
does from so respectable source, is think strong
proof OF the validity of the objection If inflamma-
ton and congestion of the mucous membrane had
been, as supposed, the nue. pathological condition.
how does the fact of excessive serous discharges ac-
count for its banched appearance or in other words
The absence OF evidence of previous inflammation
lfit had been excessive Iemorrhage, instead of ex-
cesslve Serious discharge, grant, such would have
been lis appearance but it being merely the serum
which transuded through the coats of the vessels.
and the more solid constituents of the blood bep1
left, of which it would be difficult if not impossible
for the caerpillars TO relieve themselves thew ounhi
rather TO have been found engorSed and the mem
brane consequently of Il livid appearance. He also
says: "by which, Chat is by which serious dis
charge) the vessels were relieved" Now ifinnam-
nation and congestion of the Castro intestinal mu-
cOus membrane, constituted the true pathological
condition and that condition was relieved by tile
excessive Serious discharges of what did the pa ents
die! Surely not Of Cholera, because Cholera is
Inflammation and congestion of the Castro intesti-
nal mucous membrane and that was cured. Again
u copous Serious discharges, have the effect OF re-
Heving The vessels, thus removing the true paiho
logical condition, those patients ought to stand the
hest chance OF recovery in whose cases nature makes
the greatest effort in that way, and upon his own
principle II was TO say the least very great blum
der IN the treatment on the part of both Dr. Bailey
and his friend DIR. Stewart, by whose request his
IN nta tlo
fu obstacles to those salutary efforts by the admin
lstration every two, three, four hours of or
lOgran doses of acetate lead with acetate of NOR
PnIa, and Tor the very purpose too Gin the language
OF the late) of arresting the flooding from the bow
els which he regarded as sine qua non
The only other doctrine which shall notice. and
that briefly, and which perhaps has been as extern
sVely adopted as any other, is that which regards
the disease as suppression of the hillary secretion
Upon this supposed pathological condition has been
based the caome treatment SO generally EMPLOYED
but which, 1t must be conceded, has SO signaly
failed This pathological opinion has been founded
upon the fact, that there is total absence of bile in
the alvne discharges, and that this feature is one
OF unvaryiDg consancy. The inference derived
from this symptom, is conceive but another eXem-
plilcatiOn OF the truth, that in medicine there is
nothing more common than 10 coniound cause and
effect. The absence of bile in the dejectons, is
observed TO be constant, unvarying circumstance
attending the disease, and without looking beyond
or to the state of the pabulum from which the bile
is secreted, the whole difficulty has been referred
to want Of functional action in the liver and mer-
curry in its several forms, the peculiar smulant
of that organ. is consequently looked to as the APP
proPriae, and chief remedial agent. The made:
quacy of the remedy as shewn by past experience,
or, might say, its almost constant failure if there
were no other evidence of tho erroneousness of the
pathology by which it is indicated ought long since
to have satisfied the minds Of its warmest advocates
of their In this remarkable disease the ba-
ry secretion is not alone suspended that Of the kid
neys is in the same state and might we not as
fairly attribute the disease to suspension Of the func
ton OF the latter organ 10 that of the liver and
would it not be rational resort for its relief
the administration Of powerful diuretic as to that
of cholagogue.
Such the pathological views generally enter
tanned in regard TO this disease, and conclude with
the question, they, or either OF them, in view
of the objections here presented, and more espe-
cialIy in view of the great want of success which
has attended the employment of the several meth
DDS Of treatment indicated by them, entitled TO the
confidence Of the profession?
JOHN EDMONDSON.
DISASTER on THE UUDsoN RIyER-rThe steam