Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-27
THE CHOLERA.

DR.. Hamlin, for many years missionary OF
the American Board at Cons,antinople. has
furnished to the Christian Mirror an account Of
that city His practice has extended through
three visitations Of this dreaded disease, in
lS4S, 1855, and 1865. The suggestions are so
simple that we publish them, in the hope that
they will do good, if the cholera should visit
and become prevalent in the UDied States:
DEAR SIR: The cholera, which has just left
us after committing fearful rayages, is making
lis way into Europe, and will probably cross the
Atlantic before another summer has passed.
Having been providentialiy compelled to have
good degree of practical acquaintance with it,
and to see it Ia all its forms and stages during
each of It's iH7.sions of Constantinope, / wish
to make to my friends in Maine some Sugges-
tious which may relieve anxiety, or be OF prac-
ticai use. .@@ia5s J4t 5@ s1ig,iEasl
lst. On the approach of cholera every fami-
ly should be prepared to treat it without wait
ing for physician It does its work so expe-
ditiously that, while you are waiting for the
doctor, it is done. ro3
O. 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
proyidentisl circumstances or the thoughtless
ndscretions of some member of a household
may invite the attack, and the challenge vii!
never be refused 1t will probably be made in
the night, your physician has been called il
another direction, and you must treat the case
yourself or it will be fatal @
CAUSE AND SYMPTOMS
3. Causes of AHack Il have personally in
restigated at least hundred cases, and not less
.bor tbroo bo could ha I;roo.iy,
improper diet, or to intoxicating drinks, or 10
both united Of the remainder. suppressed
perspiraton would comprise large number
A strong, healthy, temperate la0oring man bad
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 used nothing intoxicating. His residence
was in a good locality But after some hours
of hard labor and very piofase perspiration, he
had lain down to take his customary nap right
against an open window through which u ve1y
refreshing breeze agas bl0acing Another cause
is drinking largely of cold water when hot and
thirsty Great fatigue, great anxiety, fright;
fear, all figure among melting causes. 1t one
can avoid all these he is as safe from the choi
era as being swept away by a comet.
t. ~iSymptons Of an AHacE.-W hi!e cholera
is prevalent in a place almost every one expert
ences more or less disturbance of digestion. It
is doubtless in part imaginary. Every enc ne
tices the slightest variation OF feeling and this
gives an Importance to mere trifies. There are
often slight nausea, or transient pains, OF
rumbling sounds. when no attack follows. No
one is entirely free from these. But when dar 4
rhna commences, though painless and Slight, il
is in reality the skirmshing party Of the aeiva;l< 7
cling column. It will have at first no single !
character of Asiatic cholera. But do not be |
deceived. Il is the choZ1Ta nevertheless
Wait a little, give it time to get hold, say to
YOURSELF Il feel perfectly WE'LL it will soon pass
off; aud in short time you will repent OF
your folly in vain. | have seen many one
commit suicide in this way.
Sometimes, though rarely, the attack COM
mences with vomiting. But in whatever way
it commences, it is sure 10 hoz1 on. in very.
few hours the patient may sink into the col,
lapse. The hands and feet become cold and
purplish, the countenance, at first nervous and.
anxious, becomes gloomy and pathetic, although.
mental restlessneSs and raging thirst torment
the sufferer while the powers Of life are ebblng;
The intellect remains clear, but all the sOcla!
aud 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 diarrhea
continues for day or TWO, and the foolish per-
son keeps about, them suddenly sinks sends ter
the physician and before he arrives dies as the
fool dieth."
COURSE OF TREATMENT
l. For Stopping the Iucipient Dia7Thra.-
The mixture which nsed in 1913 with great
success, aud again in 1855, has during the cpl
demic been used by thousands and although
the attacks have been more sudden and violent
it has fully established its reputation for efivl.
crcy and perfect safety. It consists Of equal
parts, by measure, Of one laudanunn aud ,Si spiT7
its OF camphor, two tincture ofrhubarb Ihir-
ty drops for adult, on lump Of sugar, will OF;
ten check the diarrhma. But to prevent IFS
return care should always be taken to continue
the medicine every four hours III diminishing,