Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-04-20
CHOLERA.


Rev. Mr.. Hamin, a missionary OF the
American Board, stationed at Constaniinoplr, 4,
is physician az we'll az a clergymsn. The
following article from his pen was published
last November in the Christian (Portland)
Mirror. Mr.. Hamin is native of Maine,
and a connection Of Hon. Hannibal Hamlin
recently v p Of the u s., now Collector Of
the port Of Boston and Charlestown.
The Cholera, which has just left us after
committing fearful ravages, in making lis way
into Europe, and will probably cross the At
lantic before another Summer has passed
Having been proyi1enualy compelled to
have a good degree Of practical acquaintance
with it, and TO see It in all forms and Stages
during each Of TO inyasions Of Constaniino-
pie, [ wish to make to my friends in Maine
some suggestions which may relieve anxiety,
or be of practical use.
Let. On the approach Of cholera, every fam
lily should be prepared to treat it without
waiting for physician. IL does its work so
expeditiously that while you are waiting for
the doctor il is done.
ID. If you prepare Sorit, il will not come.
| think there is no disease which may be
avoided with so much certainty as the chol-
era. But providentiai circumstances, or the
;houghtless indiscretions Of some member Of
a household, may invite the attack, and the
challenge will never be refused. 1t will prob
ably be made in the night your physician has
been called in another direction, and you must
treat the case yourself, or il viii be fatal.
Sd. Causes Of aHuck-I have personally
investigated at least hundred cases, and not
less than three-iourths could be traced to i'm
proper diet, or TO intoxicating drinks, or to
both united or the remainder, suppressed
PRECIPITATION would comprise large number.
A strong, healthy, temperate, laboring man
hai a severe attack OF cholera, and after the
danger had passed was curious to ascertain
the cause. He had been cautious and pru-
dent in his det. He used nothing intoxicat-
ing. His residence was in good locality.
But after some hours of hard labor and very
profase Precipitation, he bad laid down to take
his customary nap right against an open win
dow, through which Avery rGreshiqg breeze
was Jloioing. AautheI cause is drinking large
ly 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 il as safe from the onOlera as fro m
being swept away by comet.
4th. Symptoms Of an aaack.-Whil chol-
era is prevalent 10 place, almost every one
experiences more or less disturbance Of il
gestiou. It is doubtless in part imaginary
Every one notices the slightest variation Of
feeling, and this gives an Importance to mere
tfIAss. There is often slight nausea, or
transient pains, or rumbling sounds when no
attack foiiogs No ons is entirely free from
these. Bat when diarrhea commence, though
painless aud slight, it is in reality the skIrm-
ishing party on the advancing column. 1t
will have at first no single characteristic Of
Asistic Cholera But do not be deceived. -
It is the cholera, nevertheless. Wait little,
give it lime to get hold, say to yourself, Il
feel perfectly weil- il will soon pass Off, aud
in a short time ou will repent OF your folly
in vain, have seen many one commit suit
eide in this way.
Sometimes, though farely. the attack com
mences with vomiting. But in whatever
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 purplsh, the eountenance, at first
nervous and anxious, becomes gloomy and
apathetic, although mental restlessness and
raging thirst torment the sufferer while the
powers Of life are ebbing The intellect re-
mains clear, but all the social and moral feel
ings seem wonderfully to collapse with the
physical powers. The patient knows he is
to die, bus cares not snap about it.
In some cases, though rarely, the diarrhea
continues for day or two, and the foolish
person keeps about, then suddenly siuks,
sends for a physician, and, before he arrives,
4" dies as as the fool dieth.'