The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-05-12
Cholera!

Reports have no doubt reached the
East of the appearance of cholera on the
Missouri river. and of the large number
of deaths at Kansas city and Westport,
as at all the principal river and border
towns in Missouri.
1t may be but proper to state the facts.
as we are already conscious that It is do
ing much to retard eastern emigration.-
Whether cholera indeed exists ON the
river, we have very great doubt. There
have been several deaths on boats during
their upward passage, and in some res
poets the disease is similar to the cholera:
but thus far its attack has been limited
schoily to those who were accustomed to
the excessive use of spirituous liquors,
and rarely has it extended to eastern pio-
neers for Kansas. One gentleman, a
merchant from some place in Pennsylva-
MIA, died at the Union Hotel in Kansas
city, and that isolated case is sufficient to
alarm the nation We learn that the In
fuence was so greatin New Englandas to
reduce one company from Boston. which
otherwise would have numbered one
hundred, down to eight persons, all
told.
Missourians have learned that eastern
people are more alarmed with the cry of
cholera than they are with that of bowie
knives and revolyers, and the consequence
is, from this time forth every telegfaphic
dispatch from the river towns to the East
will be replete with the number of deaths
by enolera, and weak-nerved people will
allow themselves to be imposed upon by
such reports.
The facts are simply these: The low
stage of water in the Missouri river COM
pels boats to lay aground more than half
the time in their upward trips; the result
is, ten to twelve days are consumed in
getting from st. Louis to Kansas city;
whereas ordinarily, in good stage of wa
ter, but four or five days are consumed
in making the same journey. During
this trip the passenger dimes from a
table furnished with all the luxuries which
the market can supply. His appetite is
pampered, the digestive organs are over
taxed, and with the abridgment of exer-
else, and the copious draughts of river
water, disease is induced. While the
system is in this condition the patient
drinks freely of brandy and other stimu-
lating drinks, and ere he is conscious, he
is prostrated on bed of sickness. With
no kind friend to minister to his wants,
he suffers on from day to day, and finally
expires, the reported victim of cholera;
when, in fact, it is. the result of his own
gluttony, intemperance, or inastention
to the laws of hygiene.
Had We occasion to journey either up
or down the Missouri, we should not be
deferred for moment on account of re-
ported cases of cholera; but should lay
back until the rise of the river in june
If at any time attacked with disease oi
the digestive organs, as nearly all per-
sons are who drink Of the river water, we
should Immediately discontinue the use
of food, apply cloths wet in cold or iced
water to the bowels. changing them coli
stantly, cold hip baths, and such other
remedies as tie hydropathic medical
practice would suggest, and should not
feel the least alarmed, though persons
were dying all around us with cholera, for
we believe we should have perfect pro-
lection from the progress of the disease
We speak from experimental knowledge
on this subject, and know that the worst
cases ofpremonitory symptomsof cholera
have yielded readily to this treatment.