Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-08-21
TIE CHOLERA.
Pathology and Treatment.

EDlIOlNo l lOOk OCCdsloi
in my article published in your paper o
the 18th inst, to adduce facts which TO-
tally negative the hypothesis that death
in the prevailing epidemic, is the result
of exhaustive discharges. Some cases arr
marked by p.ofusc purging and vomiting
and yet the latter, possessed probably, o.
more material constitutional vigor, sue
cumb and die before the formtr r. Again
a case of cholera morbus is characterized
BY excessive vomiting and purging fol
hours, In amount perhaps, five times more
than q genuine case of Asiatic cholera
yet the latter dies and the former RECEIVERS
Any dissertation on the uses Of the blooC
is foreign to our present purpose. Let il
suffice to say that, in its normal or healthy
condition, it furnishes both stimulus anC
nourishmcnt tc all the, organs of the body
The brain, lungs, stomach, liver, bowels
skin, kidneys and even the heart itsel
are dependent upon it for their appropri
ate supply, without which their peculiar
function could not be performed. In Q
healthy state it is to them all the SONS e
origO' of life-in a poisoned condition il
is a STREAM OF DEATH coursing through
the system, and under its toxical influence
SO widely and so rapidly spread, vital or
gans are depressed, functions perverted
or abolished and life itself destroyed
Nor is it my purpose here to discuss the
character Of that subtle agent which 81
quickly destroys the POWERS of life; mol
yet the modaS opcrundj by which sucl
result is produced. Any discussion Of
the questions of etiology and contagior
We waive until time and inclination shall
better serve us When such an occasion
shall offer, it may be that | shall Lave
something to say. Ignoring these qucs
tons, therefore, and discardins the meth.
cd of regular treatise, / approach thai
part OF my subject in which the people
are vitally interested.
TREATMENT.
Various modes of treatment have
from time to time, been suggested by au
thors in this country and in Europe
These methods of cure have, of course
been framed in accordance with the view,
of the respective authors concerning the
cause and nature of the disease. The
fault of many theorists in medicine, al
well as in everything else. is the want Of
careful observation, patient reflection
diligent attention to facts and truths thai
are patent. Hence, we have so many
conflicting views concerning the best
method OF treating cholera. To give these
various theories and methods Of cure in
detail would be both difficult aud un,
profitable, tcc use. | am sure, the most
patient of your readers would never read
even a synopsis of them.
] had, until very recently, adopted
and with a fair show of success, the treat.
ment Of cholera by large dsscs of calome.
with opium, frequently repeated, coupled
with the use Of stimulants, an,i.spasmod,
les, &C., Sc. This treatment appeared
to be indicated by the total suppression
of the hillary secretion, the evidences o.
portal congestion, and other symptom,
characterizlng a well developed case OIL
| cholera. A more extended opportunity
for observation and analysis, however.
forced me irresistably to the conclusion
that tue prevailing cholera is toxicemia
or blood poisoning. Entertaining this
view, therefore, | could not SEQ the nc.
cessity Or indeed even propriety Of Gallo,
mel treatment, except on the single
ground that it is a chloride, a combina
ton of chlorine and mercury. The re.
puted effects Of this agent on the blood
moreover, in certain weakened conditions
Of the system led nc to seek a subSti'
tute-one that should afford us a fair
amount of chlorine in a moderate com
pass. ChlOrate Of potassa was first Sc.
lccted. This was administered hypoder.
mically by my Intelligent friend and Co
laborer, DR.. h. L. Deadericli, and it wa.
also administered internally in small
doses every hour. The patient who had
been pulscless for several hours before
this treatment was employed was kept
afoat for "a hours by 1t. We ther
placed her on Tr. Fern Cblor. 10 or Il
drops every hour. To our surprise sh,
lived another "a hours, although entirely
devoid of pulse. She was next place.
on Perchloridc of Iron. No marked ad
vantage of this agent over the other com
binat,ons of Chlorine, which VIC had EN-,
ployed was discovered. She died some
time in the evening, having lived fol
more than 80 as pulseless as a stone
Regarding it as a matter of importance
to improve or the indications furnished
and to avail ourselves of the benefit O
this important agent, in some shape o.
other, | ordered the following compounc
as combining antidotal with tonic and as,
t~rinpent virtuns.