Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-04-18
The Cholera and ItsTrsatment.

The Cholera and ITS tSTreatment.
The following letter from Rev. Cyrus
Hamlin, D. D., who has been for many
years a resident of Constantinople, as
missionary of the American B)ard TO the
Christian Mirror gives the best view OF the
cholera and its treatment that we have
seen. As the pestilence, if 1t has not al
ready reached our shores, is making its
way westward, it is we'll for every one
forewarned to be forearmsd against it.
In communication addressed to the
Mayor of Burlington, under date of No
vember I'd. DR.. Thayer, Surgeon General
of the State, says: - sls-I --t
'The cholera. in its westward course, Is
rapidly approaching this continent, and
in a few months more may be sweeping
over this country more fatal and wide
spread than ever before" --- slF
DEAR SIR:-The cholera which has left
us, after committing fearful ravages, is
making its way into Europe, aud will
probably cross the Atlantic before anoth-
er summer has passed. s
Having been providentially compelled
20 have a good degree OF practical ae-
quaiutance with it. and TO see . IN all It's
forms and stages during each OF its inFa-
sions of Constantinople, wish to make
nv friends in Maine some suggestions
which may relieve anxiety, or be of prac-
tical use. ''-s'f
Ist. On the approach of the cholera,
every family should be prepared to
treat it without waiting for physician.
1t does its work so expeditIously, that
while you are waiting for docsor it IS
done.
2nd. If you prepare for it, it will not
come. think there IS no disease which
NAV be avoided with so much certainty
as the cholera. But providential circum-
stances, or the thOughtless indiscretiou OF
some members of the household may in
vite the attack, and the challenge will
never be refused. 1t will probably be
made in the night, your physician has
been called in another direction, and you
must treat the case yourself or 1t will
prove fatal.
81. Cruses of attack. have personal
/ lv investigated at least hundred cases,
and not less than three-fourths could be
traced directly to improper diet, or TO in
/ toxicating drinks or both united. OF the
remainder. suppressed perspiration would
comprise q large number. strong,
healthy, temperate, laboring man had
severe attack of the cholera, and after
the danger had passed. | was curious to
ascertain the cause. He had been eau
4 tious and prudent in his diet. He used
! nothing intoxicating. His residence was
! in a good locality. But after some hours
/ of hard labor and very profuse perspira-
/ ton, he had lain down to take his Gus
! tomaIy 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 anxiety,
! fright, fear, all figure among melting
] causes. If one can avoid all these he IS
as safe from the cholera as from being
/ swept away by comet.
! 4th. Symptoms Of an attack. While
cholera is prevalent in a place, almost
every one experiences more or less dis
/ turbance of digestion. 1t is doubtless IN
/ part imaginary. Every one notices the
( slightest variation of feeling, and this
gives an importance to mere tribes
| There is often a slight nausea, or tran
sient pains, or rumbling sounds when no
/ attack follows. No one IS entirely free
| from these. But when diarrhoe COM
mences, though painless and slight, it Is
in reality the skirmishing party of the
advancing column. 1t will have at first
no single characteristic of the Asiatic
/ cholera. But do not be deceived. 1t Is
: the cholera, nevertheless. Wait a little,
give it time to get hold; say to yourself,
l Il feel perfectly we'll, it will pass of,
and in a short time you will repent OF
your folly in vain. l have seen many
/ one commit suicide in this way.
/ Sometimes, though rarely, the attack
! commences with vomiting. But In what
ever way it commences it is sure to hold
on. Iu a very few hours the patient
/ may sink into the collapse. The hands
and feet become cold and purpelish, the
j countenance, at first nervous and anx-
! ious, becomes glo1mv and apathetic, al
though a mental restlessness and raging
thirst torment the sufferer while the
powers of life are ebbing. The intellect
remains clear, but all the social and NOR
al feelings seem wonderfully to collapse
with the physical powers. The patient
knows he is going to die, but cares not
snap ahout it.
In some c,ses, though rarely, the di-
arrhea continues for day or two, and the
foolish person keeps about, then sudden
ly sinks, sends for physici IN, and before
he arrives, 'dies as the fool dieth."
COURSE OF TREATMENT.
lst. For stopping the ineipient diaTrhsG.
/ The mixture which | used in l84S with
great success, and again in 1855, has
! during this epidemic been used by thou
sands, and although the attacks have
been more sudden. and violent-it has ful-
/ ly established its reputation for efficiency
| and perfect safety. L consists of equal
parts bv measure of. Laudinum and
Spirits of Camphor. 2. TIncture of Rnu-
barb. 30 drops for an adult, on lump
Of sugar, will often check the diarrhea.-
But to prevent its return, care should al
ways be taken to continue the medicine
every four hours in diminishing doses %,
| 20. Is, 10, 9, when careful diet is all that
will be needed.
| In case the first does net stop the di-
arrhea, continue to give increasing doses,
! 35. 40, As. 60, at every movement of the
bowels. Large doses will produce no in
| iury while the diatrhea lasts. When
| that is checked, then is the time for eau
ton. have never seen a case Of the di-
arrhea taken in season which was not
thus controlled, but some cases of the
advanced diarrhea, and especially of re-
lapse paid no heed to it whatever. As
soon as this becomes apparent, | have al
ways resorted to this course. Prepare a
teacup of starch boiled as for use in
starching fine linen, and stir into It full
teaspoonful of laudinum for an injection.
Give one-third at each movement Of the
bowels. In one desperate case, abandon
ed as hopeless by physician, l could
not stop the diarrhea until the seventh
;niecti0n which contained nearly a tea
spoonful of laudanum. The patient re-
covered and is ia perfect health. At the
same time I use prepared chalk in 10
grain doses, with a few drops of lauda-
mum and camphor to each. But what
ever course is pursued must be followed
up, and the diarrhea controlled, or the
patient is lost.
2. Mustard poaLices. These should be
applied to the pit of the stomach. and
kept on till the surface is well Redeemed.
Sd. The patient, however well he may
feel should rigidly observe perfect rest
To lie quietly on the back is one half the