The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-04-17
Is Cholera Contagious. .

very interesting pamphlet from the pen OF DE-
Shrmpton of Paris has just appeared, Oh 3 sup)ect
which has for the last half century IA TO imm nse
amount Of discussion namely-Is cholera contnGious
malady or not: Dr. shrinpton pronounces In the most
decided manner against the theory of found
ing his opinion first on his experience during the
nvasions of the formidable maady in France III 1852
lS49 1853 1854 and lately in 1866 and next Oh the
facts and observations set firth in the works OF several
of his learned colleagues who have most re2uenv had
the opportunity Of watching the disease In india where
its rayages NAVE been so aw.ully depopia.ng But II
the cholera is not contagious how is III
what manner propsgated? DR.. shrimpton OF those
points expressed himself as follows "Whout pretend
ing give any absolute decision for do not consider
ourselves more able than others to penetrate mystery
which has hitherto baied all inquiry feel justified
IN saying that attribute the propagation OF cholera to
an electric action which acts directly somewhat in the
same manner as lightning on the nervous system Of or
ganc life. W. do not require ary great ock Of mod,
esty to that to this electric action shou
not be able to demonstrate It tcay but its ex
etence nevertheless apr rs to us certain In admHtg
1t We clearly explain to ourselves the character Of
cholera Its progress even its propagation in rejecting
1t we see only inexpcable engmas. which become the
and obscure in proportion as they are more
deeply studied. This opinion moreover fs not ours
alone many eminent physicians share 1t with US. We
should wish all to be well that must
be made IN this direction by those who desire to arrive at
eg mate conclusion as to the mode In which cholera is
nropagated With that view recom end to readers
aud which they may have made may make as we'll as
ourselves The cholera attacks persons the arthest re-
moved from all contact with PATIENTS prisoners In their
r vaw Ia harems; isolated individuals at and In
deserts No barrier quarantine no sanitary Gordon
cn nrevent the approach oil ca oera whatever care may
be taken 10 keep persons attacked ct distance from me
spot where we are. When the disease makes l!s
snce Il town. either sporadicay or after the arrival OF
an injected person. far from following regular co'-ee
and gradually advancing in any particular quarter
from ono quarter to another, as he,iy persons may
chance to In contact with those having the mala
dy ii strikes, on tie contrary, suddenly and stimuli
aneorsly, the most opposite pointsdoes not make
second victim in family where has al e,dy ex-
pired whilst it will carry of several in family where
no signs of the epidemic had appeared, and that in
quite different quarter. often the healthiest or one
OF the healthest In the town. Frankly It seems to us
impossible, In presence Of facts positive, repeated
daily and which may be verified by any one not to at
tribute the propagation OF cholera to kind Of elec
trical action still unknown but not the less real and
the that the direction and violence Of the wind
exercise influence the eItenion of this formida
BILE malady. Lastly, believe that this electrc,
ton which we assign the origin OF the cholera is the
result of two forces combined coming at the same time
from the atmosphere and the earth-a fact which rem
ders the cholera endemcal convinced that the
electrical influence affects most seriously those persons
whose system Of organic life Is weakened by
moral physical causes, such gigence of the
dnary laws for preserving h6alth sensual indulgence
and in word all those excuses which occasion grave
depression Of the vital forces"