The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-08-03
CHOLERA.
For the Post.

For the Post.
Jfr. Editor Il had thought for some time
that at some future period | would drop
few thoughts upon the subject of Cholera to
the numerous readers of the Post, by your
consent; and as the season is approaching
when this scoufge of the human race is most
likely to make its appearance, this is probably
a. suitable time as could be selected. The
history Of cholera is curious one and its
spread by eontdgion or otherwise mooted
question: and does not materially affect our
presentlpurpose. Much has been said about
the exemption Of pine-wood regions from the
ravages Of cholera, and all without the shadow
Of a foundation for the truth of such an opin.
ion. l could give numerous instances of the
visitations Of cholera in pine regions of the
South, in the spread of the disease in 1852.
This section was visited in the Summer of
1858 with epidemic dgscntery of low grade
or typhoid type; also the past Summer of "a,
and some cases complicated with choieric
symptoms supervening upon the dysentery.
and q few cases of genuine cholera. We
know not hut this section portions Of it
may suffer from this dread calamity this sea
son, hence the necessity Of being to some ex-
tent posted up with its nature and symptoms.
1t has been argued by some, and among that
number (otherwise) intelligent physicians,
that genuine Asatic cholera has never yet
visited this country. We would just say if
this be true that Asiatic cholera has never
visited New Orleans or any other city in the
United States or Canadas-Spr cases have
Cured in this county with all the clarac-
teristic symptoms Of the disease, and termina-
ted fatally in less than twelve hours, and we
have already seen indications of the disease
:his season, in the person Of a child laboring
under suspicious darrahra crdmping and
dying in few hours. Cholera is q disease
that in large majority of cases gives fair
warning by being preceded by a diarrhGa,
which differs but little from ordinary dar-
rhea, and is as amenable to treatment rs n
common diarrhGa if early applied in its in.
cipient stage. 1t is certainly more in ac-
cordance with the dictates Of common sense
and reason to warn an individual, individu-
ais. or a community, of danger from any
source whatever than to lull them into secu-
rity, by crying No da'geri false alarm ~
The most of epdemes or sporadic diseases
have some regularity in their approach and
duration. 1t is true, we cannot in every in
stance demonstrate what produces them, but
we can form some idea. We can calculate
with some degree of certainty as to when and
how they will attack and the length of time
they will afflct U.S. But -Asiatic cholera baf
hes all such calculations. 1t comes at every
season in the year--in damp and dry weather
under favorable and apparently unfavorable
circumstances, for the outbreak of the dis
ease. The manner in which it travels is still
a mystery-I might add its peculiar mystery.
Last season this section of country was ex-
posed to a cholera midsm or pirus, or choleric
atmosphere, but not sufficiently strong to at
tack most constitutions, until depressed or
undermined to some extent by the prevailing
epidemic (dysentery,) or subject to some ex-
citing cause, such as incompetence in some OF
its varied forms, the too free use of vegetable
diet, exposure to the damp or night air, the
. relaxing influence of Summers meridian
kun, or the depressing influence of fear, con.
.utional diseases, &c. AS to generalization,
or preventives to an attack of cholera when
in an exposed condition, have but little
confidence inland believe in many instances
they prove decidedly injurious, by acting as
an exciting cause in disturbing the stomach
and bowels and inducing an attack of the
disease we are trying to prevent. A great
variety Of preventives have been recommend
ed from time to time, without any good re
sulting in single instance that can call to
mind at present. The best possible course
that can be pursued when there is danger at
hand from cholera, consists in regular uni
form habits in every respect, agreeable occu
patton, and temperate but generous living
upon wholesome diet / believe persons have
but little to fear, even in cholera districts
that will act up to these last requirements.
OBSERVER.