The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-04-12
The Cholera and its Treatment

q H1f mdTl Fais. .Hr
rs The following letter from Rev. Cy
rus Hamlin, DID, who has been fo
many years aresident of Constantine
pie, as o missionary of tho American
Board, tosthe Christian Mirror, give
tho best view of the cholera and it
treatment that we have seen. AS th,
pestilepes,oi If it has not already reach
ed our shores, is evidently making it
way westward, it is well for every one
'forewarned TO be forearmed against il
~ In q communication addressed t
The Mayo Of Darlington, under date
of November I'd, DIR. iThayer, Surgeon
sGenersi3ot the State, says: 20.
"Chdlera, in its westward course, is
rapidly approaching this continent
and in d few months, more may be
ssweeping over this country more fatal
and wide spread than ever before"
.sDEAR Sir: The cholera, which has
just left us, after committing fearful
rayages, is making it's way into Eu.
rope; and will probably cross the
Atlantic before another summer has
passed, a-s
Having been providentially COM
PEELED to have good degree of prac-
tical acquaintance with it, and to sec
it ia all its forms, and stages during
each of its inyasions of Constantine
pie, l wish to make my friends in
Maine some suggestions which may
relieve anxiety, or be ofsome practical
use. +-.
1st; tOnthe approach Of the cholera,
every family should be prepared
TO treat, it without waiting for, a
physician. 1t does its work so expe-
ditiously, that while you are waiting
for the doctor it is done.
I'D. Lfyou prepare for it, it will not
como. l think there is no disease
which may be avoided with so much
certainty as the cholera But provi-
Dental circumstances, or the thought
less indiscretion of some member of q
household may invite the attack, and
the challenge will never be refused =
1t will probably bemade in the night;
your physician has been called in an
other direction, and you must treat
she ease yourself or it will provo ia
tdO05I 5UCGA aG10G4
Sd. Causes of attack. / have per-
-senally Investigated at least hun
,dred cases, and not less than three
fourths could be traced directly to i'm
proper diet, or to Intoxicating drinks,
or both united. OF the remainder,
suppressed perspiration would COM
prise. large number. A strong,
healthy, temperate laboring man had Il
severe attack of the cholera, and after
the danger had passed, was curious
to ascertain the cause He had been
cautious and prudent in his diet. He
used nothing Intoxicating. His resi-
dence was in good locality. But at
ter some hours of hard labor and very
profuse pcrspiration, he had lain down
to:take his customary noon nap, right
against an open window, through
which avery refreshing breeze was
blowing. Another cause is drinking
largely ofcold water when hot and
thirsty. Great fatigue, great anxiety,
fright, fear, all figure among melting
causes. If one can avoid all these he
is safe from the cholera as from being
swept away bya comet.
4th. Symptoms of an attack. While
cholera is prevalent n place, almost
every one experiences more or less
disturbance of digestion 1t is doubt.
less inpartimaginary. Every one no.
tices the Slightest variation Of feeling,
and this gives an Importance to mere
trifes. There is often aslight nausea,
or transient pains, or rumbling sounds,
when no attack follows. No one is
entirely free from these But when
diarrhGa commences, though pain.
less and slight, ii is in reality the
skirmishing. party of the advancing
column. 1t will have at least no sin
gle characteristic Of the Asiatic chol-
era. But do not be deceived. 1t is
the cholera nevertheless. Wait a lit
tie, give it time to get hold, say to
yourself, II feel perfectly well, it will
pass off" and in short time you will
repent of your folly in vain. | have
seen many ono commit suicide in
this way,
Sometimes, though rarely, the at
tack commences with vomiting. But
in whatever way it commences it is
sure to hold on. In a very few hours
the patient may sink into the collapse,
The hands and feet become cold and
purplish, the countenance, at first
nervous and anxious, becomes gloomy
and, ,apathetic, although mental rest.
lessness and raging thirst torment the
sufferer while the powers of life are
ebbing, The intellect remains clear,
but oil the social and moral feelings
seem wonderfully to collapse with the
physical powers. The patient knows
he has to die, but cares not snap
about it. Il
In some cases, though rarely, the
diarrh@a continues for day or two,
.and the foolish person keeps about
then suddenly sinks, sends for q ply.
sician, and before he arrives "dies as
the fool dieth."
era rf'TmcoURsE OF TREATMENT.
1st. For stopping the inciptent diar-
srhed. The mixture which / used in
,1848 with great success, and again in
1856, has during this epidemio been
used by thousands, and although the
attacks have been more sudden and
violent, it has fully established its rep |
ntation for efficiency and perfect safe.