The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-10-03
From the Statesville American.
TWO YEARS AMONG the CHOLER

As this scourge Of the human family has
reached London and France from Asia, aud may
be expected to make its advent into this coun-
try in short space Of time, we offer q few re-
marks upon the character Of the disease founded
upon an observation of two years among IL in
New Orleans, when it last made its appearance
in this country.
In lS4S, the cholera was first introduced in
New Orleans, by an emigrant ship from Hayrc,
aud 10 very short time, owing to the mode OF
living among the citizens, especially the lower
classes, became epidemicy aud the mortality was
fearful: The Dutch, Irish, negroes, and all who
paid little heed to cleanliness and diet, were
swept off in large numbers, and DO class suffer-
ed more than the intemperate. Many, to drive
away fear, increased their potations, which was
almost certain to send them to the graveyards.
We recollect that gentleman, son of an Ex-
Governor of this State, who was in the habit Of
indulgng freely in the use of liquor, remarked
to US one day, that he increased his potations to
keep of the cholera-the next DAY he was o
corpse, the robust, manly form -of ii. w. H.,
lay stepped III death. Eli was tho fate Of many
hundreds. The glQttonous and those fond Of
high living, Jared no better. The people were
panic stricken, the authorities ordered the city
cleansed, and premises policed. Lime was
freely distributed until the city was coH pletely
whitened. Physicians forbid the eating Of fish,
oysters, cabbage, raw fruits, aud oil diet calcu-
lated to disturb the bowels, and the disuse Of
ardent spirits. THESE are peculiarly calculated
to supcrinduce cholera, when that plague is
floating in the atmosphere Negroes arc more
than whites, obnoxious to cholera, probably on
account OF their irregular habits, and want Of
cleanliness, and general disregard of what tends
to promote health. Large numbers Of them
died in New Orleans and on the plantations in
Louisiana. The late Bishop Polk lost 80 on
his plantation, Harry Hill go, other planters
suffered in proportion.
When cholera prevails, the food should be
plain and well cooked, cschewing the condi-
ments as much as possible above mentioned
Boiled fresh meats are said to be the best Irish
potatoes, &c. In a time of danger every family
should keep Cholera remedy OF some kind, to
be administered on first appearance Of derange-
ment of the bowels, and then send for ply
sician as early as possible, and do not give way
to fear. These rules observed will benefit those
liable to choiera-every one.
Is Cholera contagious? Medical men differ
much upon this subject. We do not think Il
contagious like smallpox, measles, whoopiug
cough, &c but that il spreads in different and
mysterious way. These diseases spread as much
among the wealthy and cleaDly as the squalid
and uncleanly, and are very certain to be CON-
muuicated when the uninitiated come in contact
with them. But not so with cholera. We
we're among the cholera more than two years in
New Orleans, with family, white and black Of
twenty odd persons, none Of them had the
plague; which, we think, was entirely owing TO .
a rigid supervision Of diet aud other hygeic reg
ulations.