Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-04-24
THE CHOLERA.

We have upon several occasions, urged
the proper authorities to take some measures
to prevent the spread of the Cholera, should
it make its appearance in our midst the pres
ent season, which is more than probable.
The Steamship Virginia reached Now York
on Wednesday, with a number of cases of
this terrible disease, of very malignant
type on board. The Board of Health have
appointed Executive officers, and taken some
measures TO have the city properly cleans
ed, but nothing has been done commen-
surate with the Importance of the subject
No respect should be paid 10 any person;
every house and lot should be examined,
and the owners or occupants required
to clean it, if found to be in noisome
condition. If the means at the disposal of
the Board of Health are not sufficient the
City Council should make an additional ap.
preparation 10 meet the wants of that body.
The Council should cordially co operate with
those having the public health under their
supervision. We do NOT wish TO create un-
necessary alarm, but IAN ounce OF preyen-
tion is worth a pound of cure" " The disease
is already within n few hundred miles of us,
and there is no certainty that during the
coming month it will not be in our midst
Whatever can be done for the health of the
people, must be done now
In this connection we transfer to our col
umns the following sanitary suggestions of
the Advisory Physicians which have been
submitted to the Board OF Health of Albany,
New York. They are applicable to the
wants OF this community, and we would
urge our citizens to cut them out and pre-.
serve them, so that they will be able to fully
understand what is necessary to be done to
stop the progress of this terrible postilence.
They are plain, common-sense rules, which
every one can understand, and contain
sound and wholesome advice in the present
emergency.
SANITARY Suggestions Of tie Aduisory Ply-
siciaHS 10 the Bodrd Of Heath Of tie Ctr of
Albany, in regard 10 Measures to be Adopted
to Pferent The Spread Of tie Asidtic Cholera.
TO the Bodrd IF HeaiM Of Tie city Of .Al
bdny;
In compliance with the request of your
Board, We submit the following observations
in regard TO the measures to he adopted to
prevent the spread of Asiatic Cholera in the
city
CLEANLINESS.
There is no fact better established in re-
gard to cholera, than that it prevails with
most malignitY in localities where the air is
tainted by eNhalations from decaying vege-
table and animal matters. The first and
chief precaution against its approach and
diffusion, is the enforcement OF perfect clean
f.H pNs al 4 III
suggest, therefore, the observance of the fol-
lowing rules
Ito cleanse all the streets and lanes
of the city, and TO make provisions for the
| speedy removal of all accumuations during
the season.
2.-To cause all the yards, privics and
| cellars to he examined, with a view to the
removal of decaying vegetables and other
offensive matters Where cellars are damp
and unventilated, they should be white wash
ell after being cleansed.
3.-To make provision for the removal of
the refuse of kitchens from houses and from
yards. Cats for the reception of garbage
should visit every house daily, and the de-
post of refuse vegetables and other matters
in the streets and lanes should be strictly
prohibited.
4.-To see that the drains of privies and
cellars are kept open and in good order.
should be emptied of its contents, if nearly
full, and be daily sprinkled with chloride Of
lime or other disiniectant.
D. Water closets should be carefully ex.
nmlned to make sure that no leaks exist in
the pipes, which may allow the air from
drains TO pass into the house. In many
cases, for want of proper stencil traps, the
air from the drain passes through the open
lngs OF wash basins and bath tubs into the
| "a 4.
comfort and danger TO health may be pre-
vented by attention to this defect of con
| struction
BY attention to these rules, much of the
danger oil cholera may be aYerted,
OF THE NODE IN WHICH CHOLERA MAY
he COMMUNICATED.
Experience in former epidemics, both in
Europe and America, has brought out a fact
of great practical importance, namely: TINT
the excavations from the stomach and bow
els of cholera patients contain q poison,
which when introduced into the system
with food or drink, or even when inhaled,
gives rise to the disease.
While we do not deny that during the pre-
valence Of cholera, there is a certain atmos-
pherlc condition, disposing TO the disease,
and from the influence of which no precau-
lion can afford IL certain protection, It is at
the same time true that the disease may be
propagated by means of the evacuation OF
the sick,
1t has happened, in several instances that
in consequence of defective drains, or in
other ways, cholera excavations have passed
into wells or cisterns containing water used
for drinking, and have given rise to the dis.
case in those who have used the water.
In other instances, the disease has been
communicated to persons who have washed
clothing or bedding soiled by these evacua-
tons. by the inhalation of the steam rising
from the tub, or by the spattering of the
, water into the face of the laundress, the
| poisonous matter may be introduced into
the system, and give rise to the disease.
| In many ways q minute portion of this
: poison may be swallowed or inhaled by
those who are not on their guard. II is pos
sible to secure protection against this modt
of propagation of the disease, and for tli.
2 purpose the following precautions are pro
= posed
1.-The excavations of cholera patient,
should be removed from the house as soOi
as practicable, and the vessels should b,
S well cleanscd 1t has been recommended L
l pour into the vessel a small quantity of oil
which may float on the surface, and thu
q prevent the diffusion of the poison
8 The excavations, should, If possible
I be deposited in privy not used by others
D or, where this cannot be done, the sea
should he well cleaned, and chloride of lim
S be used freely in the privy. In some instan
I ces it may be best to dig hole in the earth
c into which the matters may be deposited
Y and afterwards covered with fresh earth.
c 3.-Attcndants should not drink from cup
, used by the sick, nor cat in the sick room
o All utensils used by the sick should he care
| fully cleansed.
2; 4.--Attendants should wash their hand
t whenever they have been soiled by tn
n evacuations, and be especially careful al
n ways 10 wash their hands before handlin