The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-09-21

hiSAtJ ePPt SCldsSU atSaiui p ~ q Il
Science, viii insure for the article an eager
perusal:
Mr.. EDIToR:-In view of the probable +
advent of cholera, it has occurred to me
that few practical hints in regard to the
best means of preventing and modifying its
effects might be Of benefit to your readers.
AS regards the nature and specific cause
of cholera, we know simply nothing. But
with the predisposing and exciting causes,
we are familiar, and much may be done to
mitigate its violence. 1t is true that it often
breaks over barriers, and prevails most
fearfully under the most opposite circum-
stances. 1t is confined to no particular
country, climate, season or locality, though
it generally follows the course Of streams,
affecting low and damp places, attacking
the filthy and crowded portions Of poPulous
cities, occasionally showing itself upon
lofty mountains, in the midsto of sandy des-
erts and among the inhabitants of thinly
settled districts.
It overleaps mountains and oceans, and
is not influenced by opposing winds in It's
1 fearful march. can classes are liable to its
attacks, male and female, young aud old, the
robust and the feeble, and those wdhom it
| has once attacked are rot exempt; yet as a
general rule it selects its victims from those
already pressed down by the various. mis-.
cries of life, while it leaves the more fortu-
nate to their sunshine and fears While
it is true that no imprudenee in diet, mode
of living, or any circumstance, or train Of
circumstances whatever, is capable Of pro-
ducing cholera Independent of the specific
cause, yet we know that various indiscre-
tions and negligencies are capable of pro
voking an attack during the prevalence Of
the peculiar epidemic influence.
/ Since the cause is inserutable and we
cannot be aware of its presence until it
mani(ests itself by an open attack, it be-
hooves us to be constantly on our guard,
lest the insidious monster. should take ad-
vantage of any indiscretion.
I We connot, control its invasiOn-we- can
only fortfy against its attack and prevent,
in measure, its ravages. Hence we have
only to speak of the predispOslng and ex-
citing causes.
I Whatever is calculated to diminish the
vital energies OF reduce the system below
| the standard of health, may be ranked
among these causes. Not only are debili-
tated persons much more liable to its attack,
but they are in much greater danger when
laboring under the disease. Previous dis
ease, old age. iatensperanee, vicious indus
gences of all kinds, calculated loilnpair the
health, deficient food, exclusively vegetable
diet, confined air, especially in low and
damp places, the af1uvia of crowded resi-
denees, continued grief pain, anxiety, and
other depressing emotions, all predispose
to cholera.
The exciting causes are also numerous
Whatever is capable of making a sudden
and powerful impression on the system,
or of irritating the stomach and bowels, is
liable to convert tendency to cholera into
its reality. One of the most common excit-
ing causes is a sudden exposure to cold
when the body is warm and perspiriug-
sudden and strong emotions particularly
fear of the disease), often bring on an at
tack Indigestible food, such as unriPe
fruit, crude vegetables, excessive eating
even of the most wholesome food-unwhole
some drinks, including impure water, cider
poor wines, and imperfectly fermented
liquors of all kinds, very cold drinks, ice
taken too freely-especially when the body
is heated-purgative medicines, of dras
tic eharacter-these and many other causes
operating in similar manner, are capable
of exciting the disease in persons previous
" exposed to the specific influence. The
, drunkard and the glutton are generally the
first victims to the disease. In all cholera
epidemics they have been the greatest suf
, ferers. Sudden diminution in the quantity
or radical change in the quality of food, is
p perhaps as injurious as an excess. SGmu.
= lants should not be Withdrawn too sudden
D ly, when the system has been accustomed
TO their use. The diet should be of such q
t character as to preserve the digestive organs
a and the general system in the best possibl,
condition, so that they may be neither over
. stimulated nor depressed. It should con
slsL OF proper mixture OF vegetable ant
} animal food, avoiding indigestible, acid anc
n irritating substances, but admitting the
5 more digestible fruits, such as are thorough
: ly ripe, when not forbidden by an alread,
It debilitated or irritated condition of thu
e stomach and bowels.
- The importance Of habits of temperance
e both in eating aud drinking, can not be to-
y strongly urged, yet there may be danger Q
e carrying the reduction to extremes, thu
embedding the system and rendering it
more easy prey to the disease. Exposur
=. to the night air should be avoided as mucI
: as possible, especially during damp weather
! Fires should be had in sleeping apartment