Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-21

Cholera, efymologically speaking, is a
flow Of bile. Not being familiar with the
disease, we do not presume 10 speak patho-
logically; but we know that bile, which is,
in color, yellowish-green, and in taste, a
bitter secretion in the human system, is fgu-
rativeiy used 10 describe morbid mental
state, in which bitterness of feeling is the
marked ingredient. And taken in this
sense, have we not the cholera amongst US?
Certainly many Of our public men exhibit
all the incipient symptoms. We see IT here
and there all over the country. In all the
yisitations of this dread disease heretofore
experienced, certain localities we're fearfully
scourged, and this feature 1chafacterizes the
affection we now call attention to- Wash
ington City, District of Columbias and Nash
vile, Tennessee, on their respective Capitol
hills. are smitten with the disease. Bile is
flowing at each of them ike lava from
"Etna's breast of fame" The mortality
statistics have not yet been made, but the
list viii be frigbtful. The question in all
such cases is what to do about it? how to
prevent its spread?
Feeling a common interest in its prompt
suppression, we have no hesitation in APP
proving general disinfecting agencies, and a
rigid quarantine. What means are to be
used for this purpose, and how applied, we
leave to those more especially in charge
President JOHNSON is the physician in con-
troll of the aforementioned infected district,
with general superintendent over the
whsle country, and there is reason to believe
that he thinks that the Nashville region is
in desperate condition. Heis treating the
first according to what is known, among
doctors, as the heroic plan, as witness his
veto Of the Freedmen's Bureau bill. Itmay
make his patients there sickerapparently, but
we believe the treatment is the true one.
What he will recommend for the sick ones
in this locality we have not learned, but we
have confidence in his general plan of treat
ment, and hope he will apply it vigorously.
He knows the habitudes and idiosyncracies
here very well, and hemust be satisfied from
late symptoms, that the strongest measures
allowable are absolutely necessary. Wehope
he will Immediately issue quarantine in
structions, and order a general fumigation.
But on the principle that prevention is bet
ter than cure, we venture suggestion. Ii
is well known that errors in diet, drunken
ness, fear, and particularly personal and pub
lie uncleanliness, are the predisposing causes
of Asiatic cholera; and we assume that
errors of opinion, vindictiveness, fanaticism
fear and political uncleanliness are the chic
agencies in producing the form of disease
now prevalent. We therefore urge the pa
tients in question, particularly those here
abouts, to remodel their opinions-dissipate
their fears-learn to look kindly and toler
antly upon their fellow-citizens-abjurs ia
natical sack politically "purgethem
themselves and live Clearly"
We will merely say in addition, that this
is meant in all kindness, and with desire t.
prevent the extension of the disease, anc
that it is in accordance with approved hygi
enic principles. Verbum sat sapientibus.