Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-05-08
The Cholera Causes and Symptoms
Treatment, &c.


We have. been requested to publish DR..
Hamlia's. practical observvations and advice
respecting the Treatment Of Cholera, which
we do this morning, with the Suggestion that
our readers cut the article out and preserve
it,
Df, Hamlin has been I'll for many many years Pears
missionary of the American Board at Con-
stantinople, where ;he has passed through
three seasons of cholera epidemic. His ad>
vice deserves peculiar respect, because the
treatment he recommends has been as sue
cessfully followed during the present epidem-
ic, as during those of 184S aud 1855. 1t is
we'll known that there are frequently excep-
tional and distinctive features in the various
appearances of the same epidemic, rendering
useless, if not harmful the treatment at one
time which is successful at another. The
Doctors method bore the test of ee22periment e2 iijt
as satisfactorily last year in the Turkish cap
ital, as on either of the former occasions and
as that is the Cholera which we will have
among US, the value Of his suggestions cannot
be imPugned.
He,writes.; ...,
/. On the approach of cholera every family
should be prepared to trept it without wait
ing for physician. 1t does. its work so ex-
peditiously that, while you are waiting for
the doctor, it is done. :, -.;.
2. If you prepare for it, it will not come come.
I think that there is no disease which NAV be
avoided with so much certainty as the chol-
era. But providential circumstances, or the
thoughtless indiscretons of some member Of
household, may invite the attack, and the
challenge will never be refused 1t will
probably be made in the night; your physi-
clan has been called in another direction, and
you must treat the case yourself or it will be
fatal
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS.
B. Causes of AHack.-I have personally
investigated at least hundred cases. and not
less than three-tourths could be traced di
rectly to improper diet, or to Intoxicating
drinks, or to both united OF the remainder,
suppressed perspiration would comprise
large number. A strong, healthy, temperate
laboring man had a severe attack of cholera.
and after the danger had passed was Curious
to ascertain the cause. He had bsea eau
tious and prudent in his dist: tie. used
nothing Intoxicating. His residence was in
a good locality. But sftisE 9Sohb hours ,df
hatd labor and very profusc perspiirTStEf95n, he
had lai4 down to take, his customary nap right
against an, open window. through which a
very refreshing breeze was blowing. Another
cause is drinking largely of cold water when
hot and thirsty. Great fatigue, great anx-
icty, fright, fear, all figure among melting
causes. If one can avoid all these, he is as
safe from cholera as from being swept away
by comet.
4. Symptoms IF an Auack-While ehol-
era is prevalent in place almost every one
experiences, more or less, disturbance of di-
gestion. 1t is doubtless, in part, imaginary.
Every one notices the slightest variation of
feeling, and this gives an Importance to mere
trifes. There is often slight pause, or
transient pains, or rumbling sounds, when
no attack follows. No one is entirely free
from t.Iese. But wher diarrhea commences,
though painless and Slight, it is, in reality
the skirmishing party of the advancing ca
umn. It viii have at first, no Single charac-
ter of Asiat;c cholera. But DO not be de-
ceived. It is the cholera, t;evytc;rtieless.-
Wait little, give it time to take hold say
to yourself, II ftsl perfectly Tall- It viii
scoh pass off, and, in u short time, YOU will
repent of your folly, in vain. I have seen
many one commit stiGide in this way.
Sometimes, though rarely, the attack com~
mences with vomiting. But in whatever wav
it coItltncnces, it is sure to hold off. The
ha!nnds and feet become. cold and purplish, the
ccuntenance, ct firsthef7ous and an xious, be-
comes gloomy and pathetic, although men
tai restlessness and raging thirst torment the
sufferer, while the powers of life are ebbing
The Intellect remains clear, but all tts steisl
and moral feelings seem wonderfully to col
lapse with the physical powers The patient
knows he is to die, but cares not SNAP about
it.
:, II sQrle casts, tfoIgi,i ,iSrely, the diarrhaea
continues for day or two, and the foolish
person keeps about, then suddenly sinks, sends
for the physician, aud before he arrives, s.dies
as the fool dieth."
COURSE OF TREATMENT.
l. For stopping the Incipient Diaryrhna.
The mixture which 1 used in 1913 with
great success, and again in 1855, has during
the epidemic been used by thousands, and al
though the attacks have been more sudden
and violent, it has fully established its repta-
tlon for efficiency and perfect safety. 1t con-
sists of equal parts, by measure, of one, lau.l-
anum and spirits of camphor; two, of tincture
of rhubarb. Thirty drops for adult, on a
lump ofsugar, will often check the diarrhea.
But to prevent its return care should always
be taken to continue the medicine every. four
hours in diminishing doses !; twenty five, t{5en-
ty, fifteen; ten; nine; when careful diet is all
! that will be necessary.
In case the first does fatEttgRyy Let EsttgRyy thu diafrh ia
continue to: give :ihrinereasing doses, thirty
fiye, forty, ,.forty-fvc, sixty-at every move
ment ofthe bowels. Large doses will produce
no injury while the diarrhea lasts. When
that is checked, then is the time for caution.
Ihave never seen. a case of diarrhosa taken
in season which was not thus controlled; but
some cases of advanced diarrhea, and espe-
ciallv of relanse Maid no heed To Ii rrhatarar