Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-10-16
The Cholera.

1t is not at all settled whether the Cholera
is, or is not, a contagious disease. The Net0
York Tribune of recent date contains two
letters from foreign correspondents-one in
Italy and the other in Constantinople-who
differ very widely in regard to this matter.
One of them declares it to be contagious, in
that it is always spread by persons or by
luggage that has been contaminated; and
AYERS that strict quarantine is essential to
safety-that if 1t gets to New York, it need
not go 20 another American city, if only all
communication between the former and the
latter be suspended. The other correspond
ent, writing from Constantinople, declares
it to be non-contagious, and cites the fact
that the American Missionaries there de-
vote their time almost exclusively to the
treatment of those taken and suffering with
it, without contracting the disease.
The history of the Cholera, however,
shows that its course is Westward; that, in
one way or another, it spreads from the
Eastern to the Western Hemisphere; and
that there are certain conditions of the
physical frame and of communities, which
invite its presence and feed its devouring
force. Wherever there is feeble vitality,
and wherever is found an unclean and mi
asmatic atmosphere, there the Cholera finds
easy entrance and numerous and sure VIC
Tins.
1t is said to be easily comfortable, If taken
in the early stages; and the recipes which
have been printed are, perhaps, sufficient,
in majority of cases, to quiet the nausea
Of the stomach and quicken the circulation.
Mustard plasters upon the stomach, and
laudanum, camphor, and ammonia, taken
internally, are said to cure Cholera, If the
subject be taken in time. for
There can be little doubt but that we shall
in this country have visit from this dread
scourge next season; and it behooves all
our people and all municipalities to pre-
pare for Its advent--not in fear, not in wild
excitement, not in that haste which presup-
poses and creates terror, but in quiet, in
ample time, and In that cool preparation
for possibilities which characterizes the
thoughtful and the wise. At no time is
cleanliness unimportant, and it will soon
be absolutely essential to safety. Let our
people not wait for municipal action; but
let every householder see to it that his eel
lars are thoroughly cleared and white
washed, his drains and sewers perfectly
cleaned out, and SO kept, and all accumula-
tions Of dirt and filth completely deodor-
lied, and the entire premises fully ventila-
ted Immediately. DO not trust too much to
cold weather, for that itself, by closing the
doors, may prove the means of confining
much in the house which might better be
dispersed space. And then, having taken
all proper precautions, and having prepar-
ed, by life of temperance and conscien-
tious living, the body and the mind for
whatever Providence may send in the way
of experience, let everybody be ready to
accept the visitation, if it be accorded us,
in that calm aud equable frame of mind,
which is ofsitself the highest and surest
projection. y .s..,
< Above all, do not leave off preparation
until the dread destroyer is in our midst.
Much that may be done now, will then be
too late; and that which can then be done
at all, can now be muchahetter accomplish
ed. It Is the dirty of the Press, of Physi-
clans, and Of tie Authorities, to sound, not
the note Of alarm, but Of caution; and it is
no irreverence to say, that Divine Provi-
ience cares Tor them who care for them
selves. Ay ~