Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-11
CHOLERA.
BY ]. D. SULLIVAN, NJ. D.

The etiology of this disease, it may be
true, is enveloped in much mystery
Whether it is caused by electrical oil
gaseous influence, by animolculous ol
cryptogamous sporules that float in the
air, or by cysnideS air or water or food
whether it is communicated through the
respiratory organs to the blood, OF
through the stomach to the mucous
surfaces, are questions which involve
some interest The pathological action
in relation to these conditions might lead
to something which might be said to be
rational. Reason always traces effects
back to their causes, and will not be sat
isfed with assumption, belief, or expe-
rience knowledge must come into
requisition and trace the chain Of inAu.
ences, with all their bearings and relation
to natural laws, or we cannot accept the
nationality of conclusions. Does cholera
travel by vessels, or by air and the
winds from one continent to another ? is
question whielA to a great extent,
may involve the illucidation of the
character Of the disease, as of all those
questions concerning its origin and
nature, these are of the first importance
to consider. The propagation Of the
disease has been greatly augmented by
the alvine dejections and contents of the
stomach, which has been vomited and
the successful arrest of the malady has
been greatly dependent upon the disin
fection and burial of the same. This
fact has led to the suppositon that there
was some virulent disorganizing princi-
pie, which worked rapidly in the system
upon either the blood or fluids to pro-
duce such rapid functional change, or
organic LESSONS. Rational hypothesis
would suggest that the treatment should
be Of an antiseptic or disinfecting char
acter, that the causes, which were defy
ing the vital powers of the organism,
the nervous system and blood globules
and muscular contraCtibility, should be
arrested before they had become victori-
ous over all treatment directed towards
the system itself. Stimulants tonics or
evacuents have been useless, only 80 far
as they have kept up the system or re-
lieved it Of the transuded result of
decomposed fluids, and the elements of
Eymotic action; an emetic or cathartic
proves valuable at first for two reasons,
because they rid the mucous surfaces of
the ingesta, incapable of being assimi-
lated or appropriated to the demands of
the system. They also overcome the
paralyzed condition of the internal mus
cular structure caused by the presence of
the poison, fer the whole system is soon
paralyzed by the continuation of zymotic
influence, or the presence Of matters
which prevent true nervous action, and
produce collapse.
The use of camphor ard capsiCum
seem to act favorably upon the parslyzed,
nervous system, while opium or other
opiates or narcotics may be valuable
from lessening the degenerative action
below-zymotic influence in the system.
The ice. bag applied to the spine,
produces nervous stimulation to the
paralyzed functions through the involun-
tary system. Ice may, by the mouth in
the same way, stimulate the pneumogas-
tic nervous system, and thus, by iunc
tioual action, prevent Eymotio change.
The influence Of chologogues is chiefly
due to their action in the intestinal canal
The flow of bile is the result 1t may be
antiseptic itself to the poison in the in
testinal mucous surfaces, and thus its
aow be Of advantage, yet their action !
believe to be mostly mechanical and
chemical in the production Of bilious
discharges
The tendency in cholera to collapse,
or congestion, is by virtue Of the paraly-
sis Of functional nerves 1t has 4 cor
responding example in the congestive
ebills Of malaria, and in malArious dis.
tricts the malaria Of cholera and inter
mitients, unite to produce a eomplica-