Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-04-21
THE CHOLERA.

This is now the subject of universal com
ment In medical societies, the press, and
scientific journals, it has become the absorbing
theme. Nor is this remarkable Nothing re-
corded in history will compare in extended and
fatal ravages to cholera. No disease has more
completely baffled human scrutiny as to its
cause, pathology and treatment. Ten years
ago, few physicians regarded it as contagious,
now it is almost universally conceded to be
evidently communicable in this way. In its
deadly march from the Ganges, it has kept
steadily in the current Of population, pursuing
the great travelling thoroughfares, even in the
teeth of the fierce monsoon which would have
swept back any non contagious epidemic. The
physicians of India, wherever it originated
and has always fingered, are unanimous in
pronouncing it contagious.
In like manner have medical men been per-
pleted in the treatment of this malady. Sue
cessively opium, lead, kreosote, alcohol, the
lancet, calomel, camphor, chloroform, the
inhalation of oxygen, emetins, leo, electricity,
have had their advocates. Remedies which
fora whileseemed successful in one locality have
either failed or proved pernicious in another
Thirty-tour years have elapsed since cholera,
leaving its oriental home, first swept over the
world, and in that time successive incursions
have made men ofscience painfully familiar with
the phenomena attending its development and
progress. 1t would, therefore, be surpris-
ing if some facts had not been cleaned of ad-
vantage in preventing or modifying this fear
fin oil
been made in its cure.
What, then, have we reason to believe. from
long observation, are among the general
causes of cholera? They are precisely such
as produce large number of zymotic dis
eases, namely, imperfect ventilation and sew
erage, filth of all kinds, decomposition of veg
etable and animal matter, dense population of
cities, and especially crowded houses. Among
the special telluric influences which are SUM-
posed to favor its speedy and extended devel-
opment are protracted state of dryness in
the atmosphere; high range of the Their
mometer; confined and quiescent air, with
increased pressure, and almost total alb
sence of ozone.
Statistics, carefully made up, go to show
that the violence and fatality of cholera are in
creased in proportion to the prevalence of the
general causes to which allusion has been
made; and the reverse is equally true.
Whereas in towns which have been prepared
for its reception by a diligent regard to clean
illness and ventilation the disease has usually
seized upon few victims, and soon disappeared
1t has always fingered in its most destructive
forms where these precautions have been neg
lected or lmpertectiy attended to- And vet
with the knowledge Of this fact, little is usually
done by the municipal authorities and health
commissioners, until the fatal epidemic is at
Our very doors. The dread of expense is one
common reason for this neglect, and few
hundreds of dollars are bestowed grudgingly,
where thousands should be spent cheerfulIv in
the work of prevention. Such miserable policy
Is false economy, as the result often proves.
Ultimately the city purse is drained to provide
for the victims of municipal folly, after cholera
has established its headquarters, and is relent-
lessly dong its work of death. Let no con-
tracted views, no illiberal preudices animate
those who have in charge the health and lives
of whole cities.
In our own city of Baltimore, although
much has been accomplished. there is mncb
to do in the way Of prevention. 1t is true,
our intelligent Health Commissioner. DR..
Morgan, has been at his post and diligent in
the execution Of the duties required of him.
but has he the means at his command to per
1ect the work OF cleaning the cityin the shortest
possible time? As the principal health officer.
possessed OF an intelligent appreciation of the
importance OF sanitary measures, he should be
clothed with ample powers and ample means
to execute his work in his own way. No time
IS to be lost. The cholera is already hoyerinp
about our coast, and within a few miles of our
large cities; and IN nearly all of them choleraic
dIarrh9a, the inevitable forerunner of the
disease, exists to greater or less extent.
Inc high range of temperature so sensibly felt
Tor the last day or twois favorable to its earlv
development. WHAT Is TO BE DONE THERE
FORE, MUST BE DONE NOW AND EFFICIENTLY
DONE.
Much stress is usually placed upon the
condition of streets and alleys, and certainly
many of ours are sufficiently filthy, but -
may be thoroughly cleansed, ar' ,,oso
be scattered in everu o;sinfoo+onts
49, gutter, and the great mis-
not be reached. The growing
...ochief is to be found in the back yards, back
buildings, cellars and vaults of private houses.
Every house should be examined from garnet
to cellar, and from front entrance to rear alley,
and every dwelling demanding publication re-
ported to the competent authority.
We shall resume this important subject to-
morrow, treating it more especially in its in.
diyidual and personal aspects.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SoUTH-We would cal
the attention of the religious community espe
cially to an interesting account of the condi
ton and needs of Sunday Schools in the
South, from the pen of the esteemed Pres
dent of the United States Christian Commits
sion, G. S. Griffith, Esq The field of labo
is very large, and cannot too soon be occupied