The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1866-05-26
Cholera--Its Prevention and Cure.

To the Editors of the National Intel
igencer: Having had sufficient expe-
rience, attended with measure of sue
cess sufficient TO justify the publication
| of facts, the result of both, | deem it
but duty to make known that result.
My first professional experience in
cholera was in New Orleans, in I848,
and owing to the fact that the munich
pality and the Howard Association
having selected me TO attend the poor
in the part of the city where resided,
the number of cases attended was much
greater than otherwise would fall to the
lot of the private practitioner. A COM
mittee of the Howard Association re-
quested of me prescription, which
they desired to place in the hands of
the poor families. 1t was furnished,
and the result of its utility was report
ed to me by them, on the subsistence
of the epidemic. There were no deaths
in any of the families where it was
used in time. My health falling me,
having suffered so much by over-exer-
ton, | started for restoration on land
trip to California. Arrived at Browns
vile, Texas, / learned that the cholera
was raging there with fearful malign-
aney. 1t was stated to me that all who
were attacted had died.
The citizens requested me, in the
name of humanity, to assist them-an
appeal not to be resisted, though my
emaciated form and feeble strength
would have counselled otherwise. The
result was singularly gratifying
None died 10to acre treated IN time
In the year 1854 the cholera appeared
on steamer plying between Nicaragua
Cortez, and treated one hundred and
twenty one cases; out of that number
twenty-one died. The over-crowded
vessel made it difficult to save any,
and in the Storage, to which it was
confined, they were so improvident and
uncleanly. that it is only to be wonder
ed that any were saved. A second trip,
with about the same number of cases,
the mortality was less.
We may be in doubt as to the cause
of the cholera, but there is no longer q
doubt that the cause of its infection and
spread is owing to surrounding 5mpuTl-
! tieS-the overloaded surface with ex-
crete matter, and the surcharged cloth
{ ing with the same, and from other
sources, and above all the efluvia from
human excrement, | am we'll con-
vinced that the German authors who
maintain that the effluvia arising from
, chOleraic discharges is infectious, are
correct; and l may cite an instance
which will be painfully remembered by
, the citizens of Washington, in the ma
,, lignant endemic which occurred in the
National Hotel here many years since
Being here at the time, l had no doubt
of the cause of the malady after going
into tho hotel, as the sickening efluvis
which filled the house at once revealed
r it.
To PreUent the spread Of cholera you
have but to remove all impurities, ani
TO PreUent its malignant and mortal at
tack would rely on the means which
past experience has proven so success
full; and as all depends on taking the
T remedy in time, l would urge that al
should provide themselves with it, anG
those who are unable, or who are i'm
provident, should be provided for BY
the authorities. It won't do to wal
for the monster, and then after he call
! to wait for the call of the doctor, ant
then to call at the druggists, but havt
: this simple remedy at hand: Tinct. o.
S opium, tinct. eamphor, tinct. rhubarb
e tinct' of red pepper, equal parts; tax,
f 20 or 30 drops in little brandy, or i
!. this be unpleasant, on loaf sugar; in
crease the amount in fifteen minutes i
! the sickening. weakening discharges
J are not checked; if not checked senC
for the doctor.
e 0. NJ. WozENCRAFT, NJ. D.