Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-08

DR.. Detmold said it was desirable that we
be informed how the cholera OF 1854 differs
from that of 1882, and 1884, and l849. In this
epidemic he had seen cases well marked in all
the symptoms, except the cramps. He asked
if the collapse supervened earlier than in former
years.
DR.. J.. M. Smith remarked that the present
epidemic seemed to be not so severe as that of
1882, much like that of 1884, and not so severe
as in l849. The week corresponding to the past
week, in l849, saw 700 fatal cholera cases, and
an aggregate in the city of ! 400 deaths from
all causes.
IS CHOLERA CONTAGIOUS?
DR.. S. p. White thought that it could not be
doubted, in view of certain facts, that it was So
DR.. Detmold said Certain facts observed
this year in the Wards Island hospital looked
much like contagion. But he thought it set
tied, that while there was feeble contagious
power in the disease, the disease could be gen.
Grated without contagion, and he had no doubt
that twas generally spread mithom the aid of
contagion.
He thought great deal Of the fact lately
proved at Berlin, that cholera could be commu-
nlcated by inocculation.
THINGS THE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW.
Dr. Beadle said certain points were well es-
tablshed. First, that the cholera is always in
itiated with diarrhea. In $500 cases investi-
gated in England and reported in the Medical
Times, every one had darrhea at first. And
in 900 cases investigated last year, all had diar-
| rhea to start with. Another fact that he be-
| leved was well established, that this diarrhea
| is entirely under the control of the physician
it is Is manageable as any other diarrhea.
| Third.-It is brought on, without exception, by
some violation of the laws of health error
in diet, under exposure, bad regimen, excess
Of labor, keeping unusual hours, or the like.
The diarrhea should be carfully looked after.
| CAUSES OF CHOLERA
| DR.. Sayre said he had been able to trace
every case that he had seen to improper diet or
fatigue. We are all more or less troubled with
assitude, Indigestion, and trouble in the bowels.
| Some present, by audible whispers, dissented.
We protest for ourselves that we never felt bet
ter. He thought very highly of absolute rest
! in the first stages as a cure. He had noticed
great prevalence of intermittent fever in the
| city-a disease which had no business at all in
the city-and it has grown more and more
| common for the eighteen months past. He
inquired whether or not there could be any
connection between the two diseases, or whe-
| Their their causes could be one and the same.
| At any rate, there was great deal of bilious
congestions prevailing in the city. For the
treatment of this epidemic he thought it highly
essential TO empty the prime UiG, either by an
emetic or cathartc, and after that to keep the
patient still, and give him little medicine.
To prevent cholera, keep the body clean, eat
moderately, but regularly, work easily, and
sleep pentifully.
DIRT AND THE CHOLERA.
| DR.. Sayre had not seen a decent man die of
| the cholera this season, unless he was drunk
the night before. 1t was most prevalent in
quarters where the filth was abominable, in
places which the authorities ought to drown
| out.
| DR.. Beale said that member of the board
Of health had this day assured him that the
board had not been able to trace single case
to filth as q cause, unless with the filth there
was also an improperly of diet or of regimen
In dirty, damp cellars it prevailed badly; in
dry, dirty places it did not appear.
A CREATED DISEASE.
DR.. Griscom referred to the history of cholera
at Wards Island, in past years. Sixty patients
were down with cholera, though no cholera
was existing at the time elsewhere within 1000
miles. 1t was a created disease, he had no
doubt. 1t occurs mostly among the destitute,
and the state of the atmosphere had more to
do with it than diet. Sudden changes Of tenn
perature, foul air, and close apartments seem
to breed it. He referred to its prevalence on
the ocean last winter, and not on the thickly
crowded ships bearing westwardly only He
gave case Of ship, clean, well-ventilated,
well-provisioned which left our port with very
few passengers for Liverpool. Suddenly the
cholera broke out, and eight or nine of the
men died. AS suddenly it ceased. The ship
seemed to pass through zone of choleraic at
mosphere.
DIR. Griscom thought the pathology of the
disease of vast consequence. The natural Sc
cretions of the body seem all to be arrested-of
the liver, kidneys, DC, while an unnatural dis
charge Of serum takes place. But why from
the mucous surfaces of the intestines alone
Why not into the pleural cavities
THE TREATMENT.
DIR. Corson presented an able resume of the
received doctrine as to the treatment Of cholera.
The painless diarrhea" is to be treated like
common diarrhea, only with reference to the
| tating cathartics, they should be of the sure,
quick order, united with anodynes and aro-
mates; calomel in common doses with opium
the Franklin.street hospital they use very large
doses OF calomel and little or no anodyne. Dr.
Z. spoke well Of the plan ofadministoring Gallo
mel IN single grain doses every FIVE minutes
till its desired effect is produced, and then
opium in small doses, to be continued when
the collapse appears. In the East indies,
whence cholera sprung, the calomel and opium
treatment has been found the very best. DIR.
Scudder pronounces it superior to all other
methods, after rs years Of experience in NJ
ras Revulsives TO the surface and dry h
during the later stages are in good general re-
pute Mustard poultices and hot Dir baths, as
by DIR. Nanderveers apparatus, arc Of great ser.
vice. frictions are good, but he suspected
some had been rubbed to death. ,Spirituous
st'mula are condemned generally. Chloroform
ana camphor are approved by some. strych-
nlne,, liz to Lie Of grain every hour, is an
English practice.
= Quinine in the cold stage is urged by DR..
faimer, OF Chicago, and others.
Acetate Of lead and opium are DIR. Graves |
iavorltes. Dr.. Cormack advises creosote 9th |
ers give suphuric acid. DIR. Oorson preferred |
IN ~ A