New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-07-04
THE TREATMENT OF CHOLERA.


SIR As we have at tho present time that terrible dis
ease the Cholera in our midst threatening the commune
y all classes with its sudden and too often fatal attacks
sparng neither the old the young the robust the
delicate the coarse the refined the rich the poor
and medical treatment has yet been pracced which
has obtained the confidence of the public of the profess
sion anv one will be excused on all points, for making
public any conscientious that ne may have for the
reduction Of this universal courge within the class Of cura
bic diseases. 1t my intention to speak of the causes
either predisposng exciting except TO say that all those
well known producers of debility, such as impure air in
temperance in eating drinking under exercise OF mind
or body fear anxiety the indulgence in evil passions want
Of cleanliness great exposure 10 extremes OF heat and
cold and to TIE sudden changes Of temperature end the
eating Of unlipe STALE fruits end vegetables, and othe
improper or -onabe food should be carefully
avoided.
The attack Of cholera is fully confirmed by the occur
ence of vomiting and purgng, the matters discharged
being OF Il peculiar and distinctive character. At tn
time and in proportion to the amour; OF the dis
charge tie k becomes cold, the features sunken and the
body diminshtd in bulk and all the phenomena OF VIVA
Is called collapse" speedily transping before Us,
telling the physician through his knowledge and expert
ence and the bystanders through their extinct that DISCO
luton is rapidly approaching. Now what the facts
and processes most conspicuous in the patient producing
these alarming symptoms They are the following The
blood directed upon the lining vi the stomach
ard bowels and the vessels through which courses
that membrane relaxed in such condition as TO
allow the waery part of the blood to pGss quickly through
them into the open cavity adjoining the blood in just the
game ratio taken from and prevented from circulating m
the other issueas is especially manifested the sur
face of the body-and this solely because IS drawn off
in another direction and the fluid parts thereof very
re at quantity either usual carried out OF the body
is something's the case, retained IN the cavity Of the all
lnenary the heat of the body diminished from the
same cause the circulation of the blood being absolutely
entail TO the continued production of animal heat and the
liver torpid discharng bile and not producing IT,
Now, under this view OF some OF the obvious ana ever
present facts in the what seems to be the rational
toHmon.sense demand the treatment tor staying these
fe-de sroying processes IN some parts inducing acton IN
others and restoring the sufferer health What must
lie effected in principle Plainly this stop the discharge
lv constructing the vessels 10 prevent the physical
possibility the flow; apply those agents which VIII de-
ermne the blood the skin and other tissues and at the
zane time mpart heat 10 the surface by artificial means
L., those remedies be administered which known %
have specific influence upon the liver that healthy Bile
NAV be thrown from that organ thus Introducing into
the bowels a natural element for maintaining that Perila
ncnt ,oncy upsR which their norma! condition IN part
depends and last Of all giving that support 20 the patient
Which the exhaustion, produced by such formidable a.
now come therefore, that part Of the subject which
has induced hazard appearance before the uoAc
and particularly before my medical brethren.
The first object to be Effected is TO contract the eap
larry vessels from which the discharge Is taking place and
al the same time to those agents which shall leave
unpleasant dangerous consequence in the event oil
recovery Of the paten; on the cholera IL appears
10 that the most important agency Indicated Is the a
pCetion eoIG ratr 10 the part itself namely the d
cous membrane the stomach and inestlnes al least
70 that part Of the latter which Is within reach Inc
use of long flexible tube attached TO an ordinary enema
pump would perhaps answer the purpose for injecting into
The intesiines. The liquid used mus be ,ecoia ater
thrown up quickly compatible with the safety OF
the tissues and in large quanrywhich, OF coure. Will
have be determined by practice Let the patient swal-
low small pieces OF 10 produce the same elect upon
the membranes the stomach And that the result shall
be more permanent would suggest thai solution Of
some one or other Of the already dissolved. be
sGded the water: Il "a NE that alum wolii De A
eocd ore 10 try with the injection. simultaneously let
hat be applied the surface OF the body
used 10 fulfill the second Indication namely that II in
creasing the heat OF the body and determining healthy
flow Of blood 10 the skin and internally administer brandy
or anv other dusibe simulant and guinne to sustain
and give impulse Il the Jogging pogsg. "a Pc heart sqi
nervous system These latter agents usy also be added
TO the cecod veter and injected with il. In some bad
il woGld perhaps be wei 20 introduce warm water
into the veins 10 facilitate the circulation ard 70 bring on
prompt reaction previously = adopting the above pro-
Iosed plan Of treatment hes also occurred 10 me ma
electricity might be conolnsd with The foregoing plan 81
Again 70 produce natural ection Of The liver and ether
ecreiiDg organs any weknown agent may be used oat
az first Il would appear rational kG, the Introduction OF
tie protoboride Of mercury would te tie most kely TO
fulfil hopes in this respect As 70 Tie supper, anu
sf;erteaimen need make remarks, bI leave these
the principles which govern all lhysicAAs unIer me
various crcums which arse 10 the members OF
the Profession would in conclusion respectfully state
that should have postponed this comlunea anon unn y
might have been permitted place IL one OF ,he
journals. but that humanity emsndec ina. wna' deem
an important matter on fsauly interesting subject,
should be withheld from tie public eye solely from
motives of etieuette and if these Suggestions shall have
been the cause Of esseuing human suffering and alarm
both they and shall be amply rewarded, by the fact that
the 6Grd-working and everthinkng medical men have
achieved another discovery the means OF conducting to
/ Z. 4. N. o. BIo9slYn l.