Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-08-20

anu M6Ie
employed to sustain life.
4. The litmus test applied to the elections
and objections of lady, two hours after
the attack, revealed the fact that both
were highly alkaline-a condition of
things altogether abnormal, and coupled
with the rigid cramping of the voluntary
muscles gave evidence of the influence of
a violent poison operating on the vascular
and nervous systems.
). The uniform effect of remedies of ac-
knowledged depurative and disinfectant
virtues has been the prompt relief, in
nearly all instances, of the vital organs,
and the restoration of the secretions and
excretions to their natural condition and
appearance.
1t is not assumed that any one of the
symptoms enumerated, or facts stated in
ground for such theory; but aggregated
and combined they furnish, L conceived,
irresistible evidence of the correctness of
the diagnosis; Ioricenlid, or blood pois-
oning.
That 1 may not become tedious pro-
pose to stop at this point and to resume
again in your next issue. Meantime |
shall offer, / trust some reflections and some
facts not uninteresting to the general as
well as to the professional reader-perhaps
by no means unprofitable-such my hope
at least. Such my conviction.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: I took occasion
in my article published in your paper of
the 9Th inst, to adduce facts which totally
negative the hypothesis that death, in the
prevailing epidemic, is the result OF ex-
| haustive discharges. Some cases are
| marked by profuse purging and vomiting,
Others have but little purging and perhaps
| no vomiting; and yet the latter, possessed
probably, of more material constitutional
vigor, succumb and die before the former.
Again case of cholera morbus is charac-
| terized by excessive vomiting and purging
| for hours, in amount perhaps, five times
more than genuine case of Asiatic
cholera; yet the latter dies and the former
| RECEIVERS. Any dissertation on the uses of
the blood is foreign to our present purpose.
Let it suffice to say that in its normal or
healthy condition, it furnishes both stimu-
lus and nourishment to all the organs OF
the body. The brain, lungs, stomach,
liver, bowels, skin, kidneys and even the
heart itself are dependent upon it for theiI
appropriate supply, without which theil
peculiar function could not be performed
In healthy state it is to them all the
ions ct Origo" of life-in poisoned con
dition it is a STRAIN OF DEATH coursing
through the system, and under its toxica
influence, so widely and so rapidly spread
vital organs are depressed, functions per
verted or abolished and life itself destroyed
Nor is 1t my purpose here t
discuss the character of that subtle agen
which so quickly destroys the powers o
life; nor yet the nlOduS operandi by which
such 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 1 shall hav,
something to say. Ignoring these ques
tions, therefore, and discarding the methOC
OF regular treatise, approach that par
of my subject in which the people are vi
| tally Interested.
TREATMENT.
Various modes of treatment have, from
! time to time been suggested by authors il
this country and in Europe. These meth
DDS of cure have, of course, been framed il
} accordance with the views of the respect
i've authors concerning the cause and ma
ture OF the disease. The fault of man.
theorists in medicine, as we'll as in every
thing else, is the want of careful Observa
ton, patient reflection, diligent attention
TO facts and truths that are patent. Hence
we have so many conflicting views con
| corning the best method of treating chole
ra. To give these various theories ant
methods of cure IN detail would be boil
difficult and Improbable, because, / an
sure. the most patient Of your reader
would never read even a synopsis of them
had, until very recently, adopted, AM
with fair show OF success, the treatmen
of cholera by large doses of calomel will
opium, frequently repeated, coupled will
the use of stimulants, anti-spasmodic
&c, &c. This treatment appeared 10 b
indicated by the total suppression of tn
hillary secretion, the evidences of partia
congestion, and other symptoms character
izing a well developed case of cholera. !
more extended opportunity for Observation
and analysis, however, forced me irreslsta
bly, to the conclusion that the prevailing