Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-05-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Cholera and it's Treatment.

The following letter from Rev Cyrus
IIamlin, ID. d., who has been for many years
u resident in ConstantlDoplc. as missionary
Of the American Board, to the Christian Mir
ror gives the best view Of the cholera and
its treatment we have seen AS the pesti-
lcncc, if it has not already reached our
saures, is evidently making its way westward,
it is well for every one forewarned to be
forearmed against it.
In communication addressed to the
Mayor Of Burlington, under date of N0vem-
Der 2d Dr. Thayer, Surgeon General Of the
State, says:
Cholera, in its westward course. is rapid
~ approaching this continent, and in few
months mo,c may be sweeping over this
country more fatal and widespread than
ever before
DEAR SIR: The cholera which has Just
left us, after committing fearful ravages, is
making its way into Europe, and will proc
ably cross the Atlantic before another sum-
mCr has passed.
Having been providentially compelled to
have Il good degree of practical acquaintance
with l., and to see it i'll all its forms and
stages during each Of lis invasions of Con
stantnople, | wish to make my friends in
Maine some suggestions which may relieve
anxiety. or 1e ot practical use.
lst. On the approach ct' cholera, every
family should be prepared to treat 1t with
out waiting for physician. 1t does Its
work 50 Cxpeditiuusly. that while you are
waiting for the doctor it is done.
2l. If you prepare for it, it vii. not come.
think there is no disc lse which may be
avoided with so much certainty as the chol-
era. But providential circumstances, or the
thoughilcss indiscretion of some member of
the 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 1t
will prove fatal.
| 3D. Causes Of dttack. | have personally
investigated at least a hundred cases, and
not less than three-fourths could be traced
to Improper diet. or to Intoxicating drinks
or both united Ofthe remainder, suppressed
/ Precipitation would comprise large number
A strong, lie e.lthy, temperate laboiing man
| had severe attack of the cholera, and after
the danger was passed, | was curious to as
certain the cause. He had been cautious
and prudent in his diet. He used nothing
Intoxicating. His residence was in good
| locality But after some hours of hard labor
and very profusc perspiration, he had laid
! down to take his customary noon nap, righ
against an open window, through which
very refreshing breeze was blowing. Ano
ther cause is drinking largely of cold watel
when hot and thirsty. Great fatigue, grea
anxiety, fright, fear, all figure among incit
ing causes, Ii one can avoid all these he II
rs safe from the cholera as from being swep
away by comet.
4th. Symptoms Of an attack While chol
era is prevalent in place, almost every ont
experiences more or less disturbance of di
gestion. 1t is doubtless in part imaginary
Every one notices the slightest variation o
feeling, and this gives an Importance to mer
trifes. There is often a slight nausea, o
transient pains, or rumbling sounds, when II
attack fellows. No one is entirely free fron
these. But when a diarrhGa commences
though painless and slight, it is in realit
the skirm:shing party of the advancin
column. 1t will have at first no single chai
acteristic of the Asiatic cholera. But do nc
be deceived. 1t is the cholera nevertheless:
Wait little. give it time to get hold, sa
to yourself, IL feel perfectly well 1t viii pas
off," and iE a short time you VIII repent
) your folly in vain. have seen many on
commit suicide in this way.
Sometimes, though rarely, the attack con
!, mences with vomiting. But IN whatev'
! way it commences it is sure to hold on. In
, very few hours the patient may sink into
collapse The hands and feet become col
: and 'purplish, the countenance, at fir
s nervous and anxious, becomes gloomy an
apathetic, although mental restlessness an
p raging thirst torment the sufferer while I'll
n powers of life are ebbing The intellect r.
d mains clear but all the social and NOR
u feelings seem wonderfully TO collapse wi,
the phy sical powers. The patient knows
# ia 10 die, but cares not snap about IT,
sInsome cases, though rarely, the. diarrho
"A continues for day or two, and the fooli'
| person Keeps about, then suddenly sink
4 Sends for physician, and before he srriv
"dies as the fool dieth."