The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-17
The Daily N News.
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY IT, 1866.
TIIEICHoLERA.


OF a Tract on Cholera, recently published by my
self, IN which the writer has unfortunately made
some grave mistakes; and although do not in |
tend to allow myself to be drawn into controver-
BY, think it my duty to correct few OF the most
palpable oIes.
would premise that no one is responsible for |
errors in the pamphlet but myself and If there
are merits they belong not to me, but to those
holding high positions rs teachers in the medical
world.
"Gaten" must excuse me il pass over the |
"twaddle" about military authority, etc., as do
not consider 1t worthy of comment, and at once
proceed to correct some of his medical blunders.
He states that the formula given in the pamphlet
are unscientifo and empirical" and that he
is surprised to see Chlorodyne recommended by
an enlightened physician OF the present day. and
yet these formula are prescribed and recommend
ed by medical writer's whose authority no we'll
read physician in this or any other city would
think OF questioning. II Galen" will take the
trouble to consult work on the Science and Prac-
tice of Medicine, edition of 1866, by WILLIAM ATT
xfN NJ. D., Edin. Professor OF Pathology in the
Army Medical School, Corresponding Member OF
the Royal Imperial Society OF Physicians Of vien-
ma, and Of the Society Of Medicine and Natural
History at Dresden, and of the Imperial Society
attached to the Military Hospitals Of the British
troops at scutari and formerly Demonstration of
Anatomy in the University OF Glasgow-he will
find, on page 502, vol. l. that the author not only
advocates the use of " Chlorodyne" in vomiting,
and for the purpose of allaying irritation Of the
stomach, but gives q formula for it's preparation
Of greater strength than that contained in the
pamphlet, and prescribes Of this preparation five
to ten mnums, i. e. 10 to 20 drops as the dose.
"Galen" also seems to be ignorant of the fact
that the terms "Theriaca" and "Theraicm" are
commonly used by physicians in their prescrip-
tions to signify molasses, Or as the English physi-
cians call it. ''treace." Yet such Is the fact, as
he will find on consulting tho work above men
toned. He will also find, on consulting United
States Dispensatory, edition Of 1858, page 662,
that ''Theriaca" is o8icinal synonym of mo-
lasses. (See also "Squire's Companion to the
PharmacopGia, ,".page SO, AMI the London Ian
cet' for June 11th, 1861 Consequently, my use
Of the term in the formula in question is correct,
"Galen's' very scientific account Of the plant
"Teucrium ChamGdrys" notwithstanding. He
pays poor compliment to the intelligent drug
gists Of Charleston when he intimates to the peo-
pie that they are incapable OF understanding or
preparing correctly the formula given in the pam
phlet referred to. I have conversed with many
Of them, and take pleasure in stating that have
found none so ignorant. They are better read
than ''Galen" in the Dispensatory OF the Unit cd
States. .
He also objects to the use Of Hydrocyanic Acid
from the fact that when taken in overdose it
is a "deadly poison" yet the druggists OF
Charleston find it necessary to keep supply OF
this article hand, to fill prescriptions sent t.
them by the physic ians OF this city, and in thi
way it passes into the hands Of patients or thei
friends for administration, and is administeret
with good effects by them, when they CAREFUL.
follow the directions given by their medical ad
wiser.
Poisonous doses of Chloroform, Morphine
Laudanum, Sugar of Lead, ETC., have been taken
and death has been the result but what physician
for this reason, would consent to bsuish these
valuable medicines from the Pharmacopeia? Chic
rodyne, although 1t does contain Hydrocyanit
Acid, may be given as safely as any OF the abov
named articles, when proper directions ar
literally obeyed; without this, none Of them ar
safe. A late medical Journal received since tn
publication of the pamphlet, informs us that Chic
rodyne was administered, in the city OF Paris, t.
sixty patients suffering from cholera, all Of ,o1ton
recouered But, what will probably shocl
"Galen," we are also informed that in all thee
cases the Chlorodyne was administered by a lady
the wife OF a clergyman of that city.
For the enlightenment Of "Galen," will stat
that we prescribed the Chlorodyne Mixture i
cholera for the purpose uf preventing cramps
checking the vomiting, and allaying irritation
the stomach, for which have found nothing g
we'll adapted. But, after all, I consider Hydro
chlorate Of Ammonia the sheet-anchor in trea
ment Of cholera. 1t has proved successful in m
hands-far more 80 than any other drug-and
trust shall not be accused of egotism when
state that my experience in cholera dates frol
May, 1882.
I hope the respectable physicians Of Charle
ton, if cholera ehould unfortunately visit US, wi
give the treatment" I have recommended fa
trial, and then report fairly the results. won
not have it understood, however, that I depreca
criticism; on the contrary, I feel thankful
"Gaien" for bringing the pamphlet 30 prominen
ly before the public.
Finally, with regard to the use Of the word ''su
pension" can only say, mean suspension, n
suppression" because think it the most CORE
term to express the fact that the functions OF Il
kidneys are suspended during the cold stage
cholera, although admit that in very severe
fatal cases the urine may be totally suppressed.
THOS. SIM, NJ. D.
Medical Directors Office, May 18th.
The London correspondent of the PhiladeInf