The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1866-09-20
Prevention and Early Treatment OF
Cholera.


Whilst there may be question of the
efficacy of some of the cholera specifics, we
would not SAYS, the Philadelphia Ledger, dis.
courage the use of certain known articles
which, in their general effects, are safe and
sanitary Among these we may mention
dilute sulphuTic acid and elixir of vtriOl.-
Dr. McCormac, physician to the Belfast dis
trict asylum for the insane (Ireland), has an
opening remark which we have m0re than
once made in these columns, but which can
not be too often repeated. 1t is, that "if
there be q therapeutic fact moro certain
than another, ii is, that our success in the
treatment of Asiatic cholera will-the con-
ditions in other respects being the same---be
In the exact ratio of the early recourse to
treatment" The disease broke out in the
ASYLUM with startling suddenness, and forty
of the inmates very rapidly persisted. En-
tirely convicted, however, of the value of
prevention, it occurred to DIR. MeCOrmae
that, if he could not only arrest, but antici-
pate, the premonitofy diarrhga, he might
also arrest the disease. Accordingly, he pre-
pared at once some diluted sulphuric acid, of
whose general efficacy in the treatment of
choleraie diarrhGa he had had ample expe-
Renee Without waiting for the prelimina-
ry diarrh9a, he gave to every inmate in the
establishment daily dose Ofabout a drachm
equal to a teaspOonful Of the dilute of sui
phuric acid in peppermint water. The ex-
isting cases of the disease having run their
course, no other Instance of the malady oc-
Cured. The same writer concludes his re-
marks in the following confident language
with reference to the efficacy Of diluted sui
phuric acid II firmly believe, ever and al
ways negleeting no sanitary precautiOn, that
it would make MS virtually masters of the
situation, aud render the ravages of the
cholera really and truly thing of the past.
Without adopting 20 their full extent
these over sanguine authorizations of DIR.
McCorElae, we would say for the instrue-
ton Of our readers, that the diluted su.
phuric acid has long been priced as a tonic,
refrigerent and astringent 1t exeites the
Apostle, promotes digestion, aud checks
night-sweats, heInmOrThages and diarrhma.
1t may be given in doses Of from ten to thirty
drops three times day i'm wineglass or two
Of plain sweetened water. In the proportion
of q teaspO0nfnl or draehm to half pint
of water sweetened, it forms a pleasant
mineral lemonade, at once grateful aud re-
fresliing in feverish states Of the system.
The elixir of vitrol Is still pleasanter pre-
paration The dose is the same as OF the
simple diluted acid, and il displays tho same
medicinal virtues. In the use of both of
these fluids it is necessary to protect the
teeth by sucking il through quill or by
promptly rinsing the month after swallow
ing il. Glass or eaIthenware vessels should
be alone used for holding the acid. On other
good authority we are told that in a ma
iofity Of eases Of diarTh0a, little ginger
tea with few grains Of carbonate Of soda,
With attention 10 diet, have proved sHfiiei-
emt. II there be pain a few drops Of laud-
annm will BE added. In all cases we must
renew this Injunction to the invalid, viz ::
that be should lie down. and as far as pos
slide, take entire rest from the very begiR-
ming Of the disease.