Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-05-18
Cholera and it's Treatment.

The American missionaries and doctors
in Constantinople were wonderfully sue
cessful last year, in treating cholera cases
there, even under the most unfavorable
circumstances, after the following formu-
la:
SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE. Chole-
ra is a disease of the stomach and intes-
tines, manifested by purging and vomit-
ing, and running, sooner or later, into dis
charges like water with rice boiled in it.
This is the essential nature of the disease,
no matter where it appears When it
comes as an epidemic, commonly called
/" Asiatic cholera" there co-exists, to a
greater or less degree, what is called ma
lignancy; manifested by coldness of the
surface of the body, depressed pulse. pur-
pie, shriveled appearance of extremities,
and perhaps spasms. II is this quality
that is the source of danger, and it may
vary in intensity from the slightest to the
most yirulent degree, causing death in
three hours, and before the purging and
vomiting have had time, of themselves, to
produce any effect.
the following directions must be carefully
followed.
l /. For the stage of diarrhea. This
may come on insidiously, painless and
hence not alarming, but should be met
promptly. The remedy is !" the cholera
mixture" so called, consisting of equal
parts of laudanum, tincture of rhubarb,
and spirits of camphor. Begin with 80
drops, taken clear and uamixed, with a
little sugar placed in the mouth afterwards.
:. | Repeat the dose after every evacuation,
increasing it if the case becomes urgent
to 60 drops "a teaspoonfull, or 90 drops
if necessary. If the diarrhea is not con-
trolled by this means, an injection Of from
: 80 to 90 drops of laudanum, in a table,
spoonful of starch, win prove valuable
help. This may be often repeated. If
the diarrhea ceases do not entirely inter-
nit the medicine, but give in gradually
!, diminished doses, every one or two hours,
: for period of twelve or even twenty
four hours.
2. For the vomiting stage, the best
: remedy is laudanum, tincture of capsicum,
! tincture of ginger, and tincture of carda-
? mon seeds, in equal parts; to be given,
: from 40 to 60 drops undiluted and follow
ed by sugar, after every ft of vomiting +;
E taking care to give it as soon as the fit
q ceases, when it will be more likely to be
: retained. An excellent adjudevant to
: this is a large mustard poultiee TO the alb
: domen.
: 5. For the state of malignancy, the on
' ly remedy is stimulants, especially BRAN
: dy, which must be given with great free
! dom from two TO four teaspoonfuls every
4 half or even quarter hour, till heat re-
r turns, and pulse and sensibility of extrem-
: tiles are restored. 1t is always to be Civ
0 en- undiluted. Alcohol, or other spirits,
e will answer the purpose, if brandy is not
e to be had. 1t will be necessary to COM
g bine with this artificial heat-bottles of
d hot water to the body and extremities-
!. friction of the limbs, (Which no one need
IS fear to apply, and mustard, perhaps, to
e the feet and hands, stomach and limbs.
d Remember that boldness, to the verge of
rashness, is better than excess of caution,
q and that no danger is to be apprehended
! from any of these remedies so long as the
e symptoms for which they are given are
Is uncontrolled.
q The use of cold water must be strictly
is bidden except merely to gargle the throat /;
IS a very small quantity swallowed will bring
on the diarrhea after it has been stopped
!. for hours. A little water of gum arabic
j. may be allowed, teaspoonful at time
= or perhaps Jumps of ice might be taken
d with safety.