The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-04-20
Selected selistrllang.
The Cholera and Its Treatment.

The following letter from Rev. CYRus
HAMLIN, D. D., who has been for many years
a resident in Constantiuople, as missona,
ry of the American Board, TO the ChriStida
Mirror, gives tho best view of the cholera
and its treatment that we have seen. As
the pestlonce has already reached our
shores, aud is evidently making its way
westward, ,itis well for every one forewarned
to be forearmsd against it.
In communication addressed to the
Mayor of Burlington, under date of Novom.
Der l, DR.. THAYER, Surgeon General of tho
State, says:
Cholera, in its westward course is rap
| idly approaching this continent, and in
few months more may he sweepiug over
this country more fatal aud 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 prob.
ably cross the Atlantic before another sum
mer has passed.
Having been provdentially compelled to
have a good degree OF practical ocquaini.
ance with it, and to see it in all its forms
| anu SlaSeS uuIlllp cuCl Ol llS InNaSlOnS OF
Constantnople, wish to make my friends
i'll Maine some suggestions which may re-
lieve anxiety, or be of practical use.
l. On the approach of the cholera,
every family should be prepared to treat it
without waiting for physician. 1t does
its work 50 expedtiously, that while YOU
are waiting for the doctor it is done.
2. IL You prepare for it, it will not come.
| | think there is no disease which may lie
avoided with so much certainty as the chol.
era. But providential circumstances, or
the thoughtless indiscretion of some mem.
| Der of a household may invite the attack,
and the challenge will never be refused. 1t
will probably be made in the night, your
physician has been called in another drec-
ton, and you must treat the case yourself,
or it will prove fatal,
3. Causes 0f attack. I have personally
| Investigated at least hundred cases, and
not less than three.f fourths could bo traced
directly to improper diet, or to Intoxicating
drinks, or both united. OF the remainder,
suppressed perspiration would comprise
large number. A strong, healthy, temper
| ate laboring man had q severe attack of the
cholera, and after the danger had passed.
was curious to ascertain the cause. lie
had been cautious and prudent in his diet
|
dence was in good locality. But after
some hours of hard labor and profuse pcrs-
piration, he had lain down to take his GUS
tomary noon lap, right against an open
window through which very refreshing
breeze was blowing. Another cause is
| drinking largely of cold water when hot and
thirsty Great fatigue, great anxiety, fright
fear, all tigure among melting causes. If
one can avoid all these lie is as safe from
the cholera as from being swept away by a
cOTet.
4. Symptoms of an attack. While cholera
is prevalent III place, almost every one eX-
perences, 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 trihes. There is often slight nausea,
or transient pains, or. rumbling sounds,
when no attack follows. No one is entirely
free ironsthese. But when diarrhea com
mences, though painless and slight it is III
reality the skirmishing party of the advanc
ing column. 1t will have at first no single
characteristic of the Asatic cholera. But
do not be deceived 1t is the cholera never
theless. Wait little, give it time 20 get
hold say to yourself 6 feel perfectly well,
it will pass Off and in a short time you
1
seen many one commit suicide in this
way. ,...
Sometimes, though rarely the attack COM
mences with vomiting. But in whatever
way it commences it is sure to hold on. In
a very few hours the patient may sink into
the collapse. The hands and feet become
cold and purplish, the countenance, at first
nervous and anxious becomes gloomy and
apathetic, although a mental restlessness
| and raging thirst torment the sufferer while
the powers of life are cbbing. The intel
lect remains clear, but all the social and
moral feelings seem wonderfully to collapse
with the physical powers. The patient
knows he is to die, but cares not snap
about it.
In some cases, though rarely. the diar-
rhea continues for day or two, and the
foolish person keeps about. then suddenly
sinks, sends for a physician, and before he
arrives dies as the fool dieth."
COURSE OF TREATMENT.
l. For stopping the incipiem dinrrhe9.
The mixture which | used in lS49 with
great success, and again in 1865, has during
this epidemic been used by thousands, and
although the attacks have been more sud
den and violent it has fully established its
reputation for efficiency and perfect safety.
1t consists of equal parts by measure OIL.
Laudanum and Spirits of Camphor. 2.
Tinctue Of Rhubarb. 80 drops for an adult,
on a lump of sugar will often check the di-
arrhea. BuS to prevent its return, care
should always be taken to continue the
medicine every four hours in diminishing
doses 25, 20, Is, 10, Q. when careful diet is
all that will be needed.
In case the first does not stop the diar-
rhea, continue to give increasing doses, 35,
40, 45, 60, at every movement OF the bowels.
Large doses will produce no injury while
the diarrhea lasts. When that is checked
then is the time for caution. | have never
seen a case of the diarrhea taken in season
which was not thus controlled, but some
cases of the advanced diarrhea, aud espe-
cially of relapse, paid no heed to it what.
ever. As soon as this becomes apparent,
have always resorted to this course. Ere.
pare tea-cup of starch boiled as for use in
starching linen, and stir into it full tea
spoonful of .audunum for an injection. Give
One-third at each movement of the bowels
In one desperate case abandoned as hope
less by physician, | could not stop the
diarrhea until the seventh injection, which
contained nearly teaspoonfull Of laudannm.
The patient recovered and is in perfect
health AT the same time | use prepared
chalk in 10 grain doses, with a few drops
of laudanm and camphor TO each. But
whatever course is pursued, must be fol-
lowed nm and tle diarlhea cOnfrolled or