The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-09-08
THE CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
oF CHOLERA

large experience with this dreaded disease,
some wears ago wrote the following valua-
HE letter on the subject of its cause, symp- Il
TOMS. treatment and cure. There are a
thousands of people who never read
newspaper, and on whom advice or inform
alton is lost but those who do read can
be of some service to the imprudent and /
ignorant by preserving this letter, and act 9
ing at once on its instructions. After de-
failing his own experience, DIR, Hamlin, !
the missionary, says
l. On the approach Of cholera every
family should be prepared to treat It with
ont waiting for physician. Ii does its
work SO eXpeditiously, that while you are
waiting ior the doctor, it is done
. II YOU prepare for tilt will not come.
| think there is no disease which may be
avoided with so much certainty as the chol-
era But providential circumstances, or
thoughtless indiscretion OF some member |
of a household. may invite the attack and
the challenge will never be refused. 1t
will probably be made in the night, your
physician has been called in another direo-
ton, and you must treat the case yourself
or it will be fatal.
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS.
2. Cause of Attack. i have personally
investigated at least hundred cases, and
not less than three fourths could be traced
directly 70 improper diet, or Intoxicating
drinks, or both united. Of the remain
der, suppressed perspiration would com
prise a large number. A strong, healthy,
temperate laboring man had n severe at
tack of cholera, and after the danger was
passed | was curious to ascertain the cause.
lie had been cautious and prudent in diet
He used nothing intoxicating. Ills resi-
dence was in a good locality. But after
some hours Of hard labor and very profuse
perspiration he had lain down TO take his
customary nap, right against an open win
dow, through which very refreshing
breeze was blowing. Another case is drink,
ing largely Of cold water when hot and
thirsty. Great fatigue, great anxiety,
fright. fear. all figure among melting causes.
If one can avoid all these he lisa safe from
the cholera as from being swept away by a
comet
4. Symptoms Of az Attack. 49, While
cholera is prevalent in a place, almost ey-
cry one experiences more or less disturb
ance Of digestion 1t is doubtless in part
imaginary. Every one notices the Sigh
test variation Of feeling, and this gives al
importance to mere trihes There art
often a slight nauses, or transient pains, Of
rumbling sounds from these. But wher
diarrhUa commences, though painless ant
slight, it is in reality the skirmishing o
the advancing column. 1t will have a
first no single character of A-iatic cholera
But do not be deceived 1t is the chuler;
nevertheless. Wait a little give it lit
tie time to get hold, and you say to your
self Il feel perfectly we'll it will soon pas,
off, and in a short time you will repent Of
your folly in vain. | have seen many
one commit suicide In this way.
Sometimes, though rarely. the attack
commences with vomiting. But in what
ever way 1t commences it is sure to hold on
In II very few hours the patient may sinh
into the collapse The hands and fee
become cold and purpli,h, che countenance
at first, nervous and anxious, becomes
gloomy and pathetic, although menta
restlessness and raging thirst torments thu
sufferer while the powers of life are ebb
ing. The intellect remains clear but al
the social and moral feelings seem wonder
fully TO collapse with the physical powers
The patient knows he is to die, but cares
not a snap about it.
In some cases, though rarely, the diar.
rhga continues for day or two and the
foolish person keeps about, then suddenly
sinks, sends for physician, and before he
arrives dies as the fool dieth,
COURSE OF TREATMENT.
|. For stopping tie iHcipieHt d rrhaa
The mixture which ] used in ISIS with
great success, and again in 1850, has, dur
ing the epidemic, been used by thOus-
ands, and although the attacks have been
more sudden and violent, it has fully es-
tablished its reputation for efficiency and
perfect safety 1t consists of equal parts
by measure, Of one laudanum and spirit.
Of camphor, two tincture of rhubarb
Thirty drops for an adult, on n lump OF
sugar, will often check the diarrhea. But,
70 prevent its return, care should always
be taken to continue the medicine every
four hours in diminishing doses-twenty-
five, fifteen, ten nIne-when careful diet
is all that will be needed
In case the first dose does not stay the
diarrhUa, continue to give increasing dose,
thirty five, forty. torty-hve sixty-a
every movement Of the bowels Larg,
doses will produce no injury while the di
arrhGa lasts. When that is checked ther
is the time for caution have never seer
a case OF diarrhpa taken in season which
was not thus controlled, but some cases Of
advanced diarrhna, and especially re
lapse, paid no heed to it whatever. A.
soon rs this became apparent have Away,
resOrted 20 this course. Prepare teacul
of starch boiled as for use in starching lin
en-, and stir into II a full teaspOontul o
laudanum for an injection Give one thirC
NJ anah "a tho l,tsnia II.
desperate case, abandoned as hopeless b,
physician, could not stop the diarrhei
until the seventh injection, which contained
nearly a teaspoonful of laudanum Tn,
patient recovered and is in perfect health
At the same time ! used prepared chalk il
ten grain doses, with few drops of laud
anum and camphor 10 each But, what
ever course is pursued, It must be follow
ed up or the patient is lost.
=. Mustdrd P0uLtiees They should b,
applied to the pit Of the stomach and KEEP
on till the surface is well Redeemed
8. The patient, however well he ma,
feel should rigidly observe perfect rest
To lie quictly0n the back is one halt of th,
battle In that position the enemy fire
over you, but the moment you rise you an
hit
When attack comes in the form Of di
arrhua these directions will enable ever
one to meet it successfully.
g. But when the attack is more violcn
and there is vomiting, aud purging
perhaps also cramps and collie pain.
the following mixture il far more ei
fective, aud should always be reSorted tc
The missionaries - Nlessrs. Long, Trow
bridge and Washburn--have used it i
very many cases and with wonderful sui
cess. 1t consists of equal parts of lauda
mum, tincture of capsicum, tincture of gin
ger, and tincture Of cardamon seed
Dose, thirty to forty drops or half tel
spoonful in a little water, and TO be il
creased according to the urgency OF tn
case. In case the first dose should !
elected, ne second, which should stan
ready, should be given Immediately aft,
the amman of vnnifinp hns cnnaed Din