Smyrna times., 1854-07-05
The Cholera.

The news has already spread throughout the
length and breadth of our land, that ffty-four
fatal cases of cholera in one week in this citv
| we would state that nearly as, MANY deaths
from consumption take place every week in
New York, and from circumstances connected
WIN those fatal cases of cholera stated we be-
lieye no fears need be entertained of it as an
epidemic.
During the prevalence of the great cholera en-
ldemlc OF 1882, Dr. Beck, of Rutgers College.
was commissioned by Gov. ThroOp of New York
10 procure information concerning its origin,
character, progress, and the mode of its treat
ment. The question of contagion was then
much agltated, and accordingly, DIR. Beck gave
1t his studous attention, by tracing the PROGRESS
OF the disease from its first at Quebec, June
oth, through all its course to this CITY. where il
broke out on last day of that month. II is not
little remarkable, that it appeared within
twenty tour hours, in various towns and boats
on tle 81. Lawrence river; and in Plattsburh.
~ T., IN the case ofan emigrant, who had been
exposed to wet and cold, and had eaten vora-
clously just previous to the attack. The dis
ease then appeared in the most filthy part Of
That village, among irregular persons. who
mad no connection wlth the emigrant. In the
State Prison at Sing Sing, ~ Y, an insulated
prisoner was taken with it on the 18th of June.
and died IN few hours, and this before sim
gle person was attacked in that village After
this some hundreds of cases occurred within the
prison. This showed that contagion was out
OF the question, and yet many circumstances
occurred tending toprove the contagious theo-
ry, such as the passage Of the disease from
place to place along the main channels of trav
ell
Throughout the whole extent of country Wis
lted, DIR. Beck found general tendency to dis
case of the stomach and bowels-caused. il is
supposed, BY a general epidemic constitution
OF the air. or In plrt by fear. The people are
tnus rendered peculiarly liable TO attacks, and
slight exciting causes produce the disease
Under peculiar atmospheric constitution, per-
sons crowded together in boats or neighborhoods
are specially exposed, particularly where they
are either filthy, badly fed or clothed. or intem
perate; and 10 these circumstances the disease
may be excited by the effiuvia of cholera patti
ents. te
It is stiking fact, not peculiar to cholera,
but noticed in the history of every pestience
which has desolated the world, that persons
whose constitutions have been broken down by
iIitemperance, are among its first victims In
the cases of diseases which have prevailed
among us, the evidences of this are too nume-
GUS and striking to be particularized. Indeed,
IN many places large proportion of the fatal
cases are among the unfortunate.
We have seen many receipts published of COM
positions for the prevention and cure of cholera:
none of which can be relied on as specific.
Cleanly habits, temperance in eating and drink
ing, an avoidance of excitement. exposure to
high heat and daIap air, and keeping the bow
els in proper order, are the best preyentives.
The most proper course to be pursued when
person takes this disease, is to keen him
warm, by apply stoppered bottles, contain
ing hot water to his feet and other of the body.
administering simple rhubarb aperient, and
sending for a respectable physician as soon as
possible.-ScieRtifc Amer.