The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-30
THE CHOLERA.

How TO Prepare for its Approach
Causes and symptoms of ATtack-A
Course OT treatment Prescrtbed-Ever
Man his own PbysIcian-rh Expert
eDce and Conclusions Of an Eastern
Missionary,
DR.. Hamlin, for many years missionary of
the American Board at Cohstantinople, has fur
nished to the Christian Mirror an account of his
very successful treatment OF the cholera in that
city. His practice has extended through three
vlstations OF this dreaded disease, in lSlS 1850,
and 1866. The suggestions are so simple that
we publish them. in the hope hat they will do
good, if the cholera should visit and bee )me
prevalent IN the United States:-
Dear Sir:-The cholera, which has just lett
us, after committing fearful ravages, is making
its way INTO Europe, and will probably cross the
Atlantic before another summer has passed.
Having been providentially compelled to have
good degree of practical acquaintance with its,
and to see it in all its forms and stages during
each of its iIrvasions OF Constantinople, / wish
to make to my friends in Maine some sugges-
tions which may relieve anxiety and be OF prac-
tical use:-
|. On the approach of cholera every family
should be prepared to treat ii without waiting
for q physician. 1t does its work expedl-
tiOusly that, while you are waiting for the doc
tor, 1t is done.
2. If you prepare for it, it will not come.
think there is no disease which may be avoided
with so much certainty as the cholera. But
providential circumstances, or the thoughtless
indiscretons OF some member OF household,
may invite the attack, and the challenge will
never be refused. 1t will probably be made in
the NIGHT, your physician has been called in
another direction, ana you must treat the case
yourself, or it will be fatal.
CAUSE AND SYMPTOMS.
3, Causes of Attack. i have personally inves
tigated at least hundred cases, and not less
than three-iourths could be traced directly to
improper diet, or to Intoxicating drinks, or to
both united. OF the remainder, suppressed per-
NV,v1A 1orrra 1Nan A
strong healthy, temperate laboring man had u
severe attack of cholera, and after the danger
had passed | was curious to ascertain the cause.
He had been cautious and prudent in his diet.
He usedp nothing intoxicating. His residence
was IN a good locality. But after some hours OF
hard labor and very profuse perspiration he had
lain down to take his customary nap right
against an open window through which Ue1y
refreshing breeze lCdS byOloiBg. Another cause is
drinking largely Of cold water when hot and
thirsty. Great fatigue, great anxiety fright,
fear, all figure among exciting causes. II one
can avoid all these, he is as safe from the cholera
as from being swept away by comet.
4. Symptoms of an AHdch.-While cholera is
prevalent in a place almost every one expert
ences more or less disturbance OF digestion. 1t
is doubtless ia part imaginary. Every one
notices the slightest variation of feeling, and
this gives an importance to mere triles. There
IS often slight nausea or transient pains, or
rumbling sounds, when no attack toltoocS. No
one is entirely free from these. But when diar-
rhna commences, though painless and slight, it
is in reality the skirmishing party OF the advanc-
ing column It will lave at first no single char
acter of Asiatic cholera. But do not be deceived.
1t is the cholera nevertheless. Wait little give
it time to get hold, say to yourself, II feel per-
fectly well, it will soon pass OFF, and IN short
time you will repent of your folly in vain. 1
have seen many one commit suicide in this
way.
Sometimes, though rarely, the attack CON-
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 purpllsh,
the countenance, at first nervous and anxious,
becomes gloomy and pathetic, although mental
restlessness and raging thirst torment the suf-
ferer while the powers of lite are ebbing. The
intellect remains clear, but all the social and
moral feelings seem wonderfully to collapse with
the physical powers. The patient knows he is
to die, but cares not snap about it,
In some cases, though rarely, the diarrhma
continues tor day or two, and the foolish per-
son keeps about then suddenly sinks, sends for
the physician, and before he arrives "dies as
as the fool dieth."
COURSE OF TREATMENT.
l. For Stopping the Inoipient Did,ThGa. The
mixture which used in l848 with great success,
and again in 1855, has during the epidemic been
used by thousands, and although the attacks
have been more sudden and violent, it has fully
established It's reputation for efficiency and per-
feet safety. 1t consists Of equal parts, by mea-
sure, Of one laudanum and spirits of camphor,
two tinctu1e OF rhuoerb. Thirty drops for adult,
on lump of sugar, will often check the diar-
rh9a. But to prevent its return care should
always be taken to continue the medicine every
four hours in diminishing doses; twenty-five,
twenty, fifteen, ten, nine, when careful diet is
all that will be needed.
In case the first does not stay the diarrhma
continue to give in increasing doses-thirtyfve,
forty, torty-hve, sixty--at every movement OF
the bowels. Large doses will produce no injury
while the diarrh9a lasts. When that is checked
then is the time for caution. have never seen
case of diarrhea taken in season which was
not thus controlled, but some cases of advanced
diarrhea, and especially of relapse, paid nc
need to it whatever. As soon as this becomes
apparent have always resorted to this course:--
Prepare teacup OF starch boiled as for use il
starChing linen, and stir into it a full teaspoon
ful of laudanum for an injection. Give one
third at each movement OF the bowels. In one
desperate case, abandoned as hopeless by a ply
scian, could not stop the diarrhoea until the
seventh injection, which contained nearly tea
spoonful OF laudanum. The patient recovered
and is in perfect health. At the same time | usC
prepared chalk in ten-grain doses, with few
drops of laudanum and camphor to each. But
whatever course is pursued, 1t must be followed
up or the patient Is lost
2. Mustard POuAices.-These should be applied
to the pit of the stomach, and kept on till thu
surface is well Redeemed.
3. The patient, however well he may feel
should rgidly observe perfect rest. To lie quietly
on the back is one-half of the battle. In tina
condition the enemy fires over you, but the mo
ment you rise you are hit.
When attack comes in the form of diarTh9i
these directions will enable every one to meet i
successfully.
A. But when the attack is more violent, an,
there is vomiting, or vomiting and purging
perhaps also cramps and collie pains, the follow
ing mixture is tar more effective, and shoulC
always be resorted to. The missionaries -Messrs
Long, Trowbridge, and Washburn-have used /