Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-10-04
THE CHOLERA.

DIR. Hamlin, the well known missionary
OF the American Board at Constantinople,
writes the following interesting communi-
cation to the Portland Christian Mirror:
The cholera, which has just left us after
committing fearful ravages, is making it's
way into Europe, and will probably cross
the Atlantic before another summer has
passed.
Having been providentially compelled to
have q good degree of practical acquain-
lance with it, and see It in all its forms and
stages during its invasions of Constantine
| pie, wish to make to my friends in Maine
some suggestions which may relieve ankle
| ty, or be of practical use.
l. On the approach Of the cholera, every
family should be prepared to treat it with
out waiting for physician. It does its
work so expeditiously, that while you are
waiting for tie doctor it is done.
9. If you prepare for it, it will not come
[ think there is no disease which may be
avoided with SO much certainty as the chol-
era. But providential circumstances, or
the thoughtless indiscretions of some mem
Der of 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 direc-
| ton, and you must treat the case yourself
or it will be fatal.
| g. Causes of AHach.-I have personally
investigated at least a hundred cases and
not less than three-fourths could be traced
directly to improper diet, or Intoxicating
drinks, or to both united. Of the remain
der, suppressed perspiration would COM
prise large number. 4 strong, healthy,
temperate, laboring man had severe at
tack of cholera, and after danger has pass
ed I was curious to ascertain the cause He
had been cautious and prudent in his diet.
He used nothing Intoxicating. His resi-
dence was in good locality. But after
some hours of hard labor and very profuse
perspiration he had lain down to take his
customary nap right against an open win
dow 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 figure among melting causes If one
can avoid all these he is as safe from the
cholera as from being swept away by a
comet.
T. Symptoms Of an AHack.-While chole-
ra is prevalent in place every one expert
ences more or less disturbance of Digestion
It is doubtless in part imaginary Every
one notices the slightest variation of feel
ing, and this gives Importance to mere tri-
fes. There is often slight nausea, or
transient pains, OF r1lmbling sounds when
| no attack follows No one is entirely free
| from these. But when diarrhoea common
ces, though painless and slight, it is really
| the sklrmlshlng party of the advancing
column. It will have at first no single
characteristic of Asiatic Cholera But do
not be deceived. 1t is cholera nevertheless
Wait little, give it time to get hold, say
| to yourself, q feel perfectly well, it will
soon pass off, and IN a short time you will
repent of your folly in vain. [ have seen
many a one commit suicide in this way
Sometimes, though rarely, the attack
commences with venting. But in what
| ever way it commences, it is sure to hold
on. In 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
restIessness and raging thirst torment the
sufferer while the powers of life are ebbing.
| The intellect remains clear, but all the So
cial and moral feelings seem wonderfully
to collapse with the physical powers. The
patient knows he is to die, but cares not a
snap about it. In some cases, though rare
ly, the diarrhea continues for q day or two,
and the foolish person keeps about, then
suddenly sinks, sends for Il physician, and
|
! COURSE OF TREATMENT
/. For stopping The iucipiem dim7haa-
| The mixture which I used in 1913 with
great success, and again in 1855, 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
It consists of equal parts by measure of.
Laudanum and spirits of camphor Tine
ture of rhubarb Thirty drops on a lump
of sugar will often check diarrhRa. But to
prevent its return, care should always be
taken to continue the medicine every four
hours in diminishing doses-25, 20, Is, 10,
| 9, when careful diet is all that will be nee
ded.
In case the first does not stay the diar-
rhPa, continue to give increasing doses
35, 40, 45, so, at every movement of the
! bowels. Large doses will produce no in
jury while the diarrhna lasts. When that
is checked that is the time for caution. I
have never seen case of diarrhna taken
in season, which was not thus controlled,
but some cases of advanced diarrhpa, and
especially of relapse paid no heed what
ever. AS soon as this becomes apparent,
have always resorted to this course: Pre-
pare teacup of starch, boiled as for use
in starching linen, and stir into it teas
poonful of laudanum for an injection
Give one-third at each movement of the
bowels. In one desperate case, abandoned
IS hopeless by the physician, [ could not
stop the diarrhea until the seventh injec-
ton, which contained nearly teaspoonful
of laudanum. The patient recovered and
is in perfect health. At the same time
used prepared chalk in grain doses with a
few drops of laudanum and camphor to
each. But whatever course is pursued, it
must be followed up and the diarrhna con-
trolled, or the patient is lost.
2. Mustard POuHiceS. These should be
applied to the pit of the stomach, and kept
till the surface is we'll redeemed.
;. The patient, however well he may
feel, should rigidly observe perfect rest
To lie quietly on the back is one half the
battle In that position the enemy fires
over you, but the moment you rise you are
hit.
When the attack comes in the form of
diarrhea, these directions will enable every
one to meet it successfully.
4. But when the attack is more violent,
and there is vomiting, or vomiting and
purging, perhaps, also cramps and collie
| Mains tho f011DUiYo 10 for