Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-12-03

By Order of the General Board of Health in
Engand-To Captains Of Merchant Ships,
Steamers, and Golfers.
FIRST INSTRUCTION.
Guard against L00SeneSS Of the Bo'cels and
Purgng.
Before person is attacked by the Cholera,
he is almost sure to have for day or two, or
for several days, or only for few hours, some
Ioosencss of the bowels or purging; there is
often no pain, but this must not put any off
his guard as to the importance Of this warning.
The captain or mate ought, therefore, without
alarming the men, to inquire Of the crew daily
whether any one of them have looseness or
purging, as this might by chance become
worse. Ia man is purged let him 60 to bed,
be kept quite warm, and if he is cold apply
bottles of hot water, or bags filled with hot
salt or bran, to the stomach and feet. Give
him immediately
Eight drops Of laudanum in a wine glass of
hot and weak brandy water and give the man
this every hours, as long as he is purged; the
same dose should be given night and morning
for one Or two days after the purging has stop
ped
SECOND INSTRUCTION.
What should be Done if Man is Seized or
Taken avHh Cholera.
This comes on with cold, giddiness, sickness,
vomiting, and purging Of what looks like
dirty water, or rice and water. Let the man
getinto a hot bed cover him well with blank
cts; apply bottles Of hot water, or bags filled
with hot SALT sand, or bran, to the stomach,
spine and feet; be sure he is not exposed to
draught or cold, the object being to get him
into sweat. Put large poultice of mustard
and vinegar over the stomach, and keep it on
Is or 20 minutes. Give the man Is drops of
laudanum, with teaspoonful Of brandy Tor
whlskey or other spirit in the absence of BRAN
dy) in little hot water; little ginger or cloves
may be added. This medicine may be given
every hour for six hours, but not longer; it must
then be left off. When the man begins to
sweat, give him some hot tea, with teaspoon
fuI Of brandy in it, and keep him in warm bed.
THIRD INSTRUCTION.
When the ship is in port medical advice
should be got as soon as possible, in any case
Of seizure, as the delay Of even one hour may
cause death.
FOURTH INSTRUCTION.
On Food
All kinds of fruit, salads, cucumbers, celery,
and pickles had better be avoided; also oys-
tiers, HOLSTERS, crabs, mussels or other shell
fish,
The most wholesome articles Of food are
Well-baked bread, good biscuits, rice, oatmeal,
peas, and good potatoes solid food is better
than fluid, and therefore, at this time it would
be a good thing to give the crew beefand NUT
ton instead of soup.
FIFTH INSTRUCTION.
On the Danger Of Spirits, Corn Brandy
Wine, Beer, dc.
It is very common notion among sailors
and other people that brandy, whskey, rum,
wine, and the like, are good as a protection
against the cholera. This is tota! and fatal
mistake. In every country and town where
the cholera has broken out, drunkards and
those who drink freely have been the first and
greatest sufferers from the disease; temperate
men usually escape drunkards usually die. 1t |
is, therefore, earnestly hoped ana requested |
that captains will warn their crews against all |
excess in drinking; more especially warn them
from taking corn brandy Or gin, which often
acts as poison; they should also not drink any
Of the white and brown beer sold at Hamburg |
and other ports, especially if it is sour The |
Elbe water is bad, and likely to purge; there.
ore, it would be better to use water brought
rom England; and captains are recommended
o take in supply accordingly.
Sixth INSTRUCTION.
Against Exposure TO Wei and Cold.
Wet and cold should as much as possible be
guarded against, by warm, dry clothing, and
tout shoes. A thick flannel belt or bandage
round the stomach and loins is good defence
or sailors; when they 60 to bed, if the shirt is
amp or wet, they should change it, and put on
dry one. They should not stop out at night
IN shore. Many sailors who have been drink.
ng at Hambro' Bar, and lying about on Sun
ay night, have been seized on Monday with
holera, aud died in few hours.
SEVENTH INsTRUCTIoN.
Concerning CLEANLINESS and Ventilation
Nothing is Of greater Importance as protec.
ion against cholera than cleanliness and good
upply of fresh, pure air. 1t is, therefore, the
uty Of captains to take all the means in their
over to improve and keep up the health and
trength of their crews who are placed under
heir care and protection. The owners are par
cularly requested, on the return of their ships
D English ports, to see these instructions com
lied with The forecastle should be frequently
leansed, and the matches be opened in fine
weather., so as freely to admit the fresh air
'he forecastle should be whitewashed. 10
weeten the ship, bleaching salt or powder,
called also chloride of lmeO which is very
heap and may be got at any druggists, should
e mixed with water, and poured down the
jumps; it should also be sprinkled about the
orecaste and the cabins. Keep the ship as
rec as possible from bilge water, using the
pumps daily for this purpose, because il pre-.
'ails most when ships are very tight, and open I