The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-08-11
CHOLERA.

tions, from n well written article on cholera
by DR.. Hall, in the August number of his
Journal of Health:
WHAT IS CHoLERA?-Choera is the exag.
geration of intestinal vermicular motion.
This definition, explained in language less
professional, would do more good than all
the popular recipes for the cure of cholera
ever published, because it expresses the in
herent nature of cholera and suggests the
principles of cure, in its early stage, to the
most unrehecting mind.
The public is none the better, or wiser, or
safer, for one of all the ten thousand 'cures''
for cholera proclaimed in the public prints
with confidence which itself is sufficient
guarantee that however well informed the
authors may be in other matters, as regards
cholera itself they are criminally Y ignorant; for
no man has right to address the public on
any subject connected with its general health
unless he understands that subject in its
broadcast sense, practically as well as theoreti-
cally.
As cholera has become a general, and per-
haps, at least for the present, permanent
disease of the country, and at this time is
more or less prevalent in every State of the
Union-and one, too, which may at any hour
sweep any one of us into the grave-it be-
longs to our safety to understand its nature
for ourselves, and do what we may to spread
the knowledge among those around us.
A olive" cheese or cup of fishing worms
may give an idea of the motion of the intes-
tines in ordinary health. The human gut is
hollow, flexible tube, between thirty and
forty feet long; but in order to be contained
within the body, it is, to save space, arranged
as sailor would a coil of rope, forever mov-
ing in health-moving too much in some dis
eases-too little in others. To regulate this
motion is the first object of the physician in
every disease. In headaches, bilious atfec-
tions, costiveness and the ike, this great
coiled up intestine usually called "the bow
els" is "torpid," and medicines are given to
wake it up; and what does that cures the man.
Costiveness is the foundation-that is, one of
the first beginnings-or it is the attendant Of
every disease known to man, in some stage
or other of its progress. But the human body
is made in such manner that single step
cannot be taken without tending to move the
intestines; thus it is, in the main, that those
who move about on their feet a great deal
have the least sickness, and on the other hand
those who sit great deal, and hence move
about but little, never have sound health-it
is an impossibility: it is rule to which have
never known an exception.
Cholera being disease in which the bow
els move too much the object should be to
lessen that motion, and us every step man
takes increases intestinal motion, the very first
thing to be done in Il case of cholera is to Sc
cure quetude. 1t requires but small amount
of intelligence to put these ideas together,
and if they could only be burnt in on every
heart this fearful scourge would be robbed Of
myrads of its victims
There can be no cure of cholera without
quietude-the quietude of lying on the
back.
The physician who understands his calling
is always on the look out for the instincts Of
nature; and he who follows them most and
interferes with them least, is the one who is
oftenest successful. They are worth more to
him than all the rigmarole stories which real
or imaginary invalds pour in upon the physi-
clans ear with such facie volubility. If, for
example, physician is called to a speechless
patient-a stranger, about whom no one can
give any information-he knows, if the breath
ing is long, heavy and measured, that the
brain is in danger if he breathes quick from
the upper part of the chest, the abdomen
needs attention; or if the abdomen itself
mainly moves in respiration, the lungs are
suffering In violent cases of inflammation
of the bowels, the patient shrinks invounta-
rily from any approach to that part OF his
person. These are the instincts of nature,
and are invaluable guides in the treatment of
disease.
Apply this principle to cholera, or even
common darrhBa, when the bowels do not
act more than three or four times day; the
patient feels such an unwillingness to motion
that he even rises from his seat with the most
unconquerable reluctance; and when he has,
from any cause, been moving about consid-
erably, the first moment of taking comforta-
bic seat is perfectly delicious, and he feels as
| if he could almost stay there always The
whole animal creation is subject to disease,
and the fewest number, comparatively speak,
ing, die Of sickness; instinct is their only
physician.
Perfect quietude, then, on the back, is the
first, the imperative, the essential step to-
wards the cure of any case of cholera. To
this art may lend her aid towards making that
quie.ude more perfect, by binding cloth
around the belly pretty firmly. This acts
benefcially in diminishing the room within
the abdomen for motion; man may be so
pressed in crowd as not to be able to stir.
| This bandage should be about foot broad,
and long enough to be doubled over the body;
pieces of tape should be sewn to one end of
the flannel, and corresponding number to
another part, being safer and more effective
fastening than pins. If this cloth is of stout
woollen flannel, it has two additional advan-
tages-its roughness irritates the skin and
draws the blood to the surface from the inte-
rior, and by its warmth retains that blood
there; thus preventing that cold, clammy con-
dition of the skin which takes place in the
last stages of cholera. Facts confirm this
When the Asiatic scourge first broke out
among the German sodiery, immense num-
bers pershed; but an imperative order was
issued, in the hottest weather, that each SOL
dier wear stout woolen flannel abdominal
compress, and Immediately the fatality dimin-
ished more than fifty per cent. II the reader
will try it, even in cases of common looseness
of bowels, he will generally find the most
grateful and instantaneous relief.
The second indication of instinct is to
quench the thirst. When the disease now
called cholera first made its appearance in the
United States, in 1892, 1t was generally be.
heved that the drinking Of cold water, soon
after calomel was taken, would certain cause
salvation; and, as calomel was usually given,
cold water was strictly interdicted. Some of
the most heart rending appeals | have ever
noticed were for water, water! have seen
the patient, with deatbly eagerness, mouthe
the fiuger-ends of the nurse, for the sake Of a
drop or two of cold water there while wash