The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-07-04
CHOLERA AND ITS TREATMENT.
Important Recommendations by DIR
HamIin of COnstantinOple.


HamIin Of COnstantinOple.
From the Christian Mirror, Portland, Mainel
The cholera which has Just left us af-
ter committing fearful ravages, is max
ing its way into Europe, and will prob
ably cross the Atlantic before another
summer has passed.
Having been providentially compelled
to have a good degree of practical ac-
quaintance with IL, and to see it in all
its forms and stages during each of its
invasiOns of Constantinople, I wish to
make to friends in Maine some sugges-
tions which may relieve anxiety, or be
of practical use.
1. On the approach of cholera every
family should be prepared to treat it
without waiting for physician. 1t does
its work so expeditiously, that while
you are waiting for doctor it is done.
2. 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 providential cir
cumstances, or the thoughtless indis-
cretiOns OF some member of q house
hold, may invite the attack, and the
challenge Will never be refused. 1t will
probably be made in the night, your
your physician has been called in an
other direction, and you must treat the
case yourself, or it will be fatal.
B. CAsUEs OF ATTACK have person
ally investigated at least a hundred
cases, and not less than three-fourths
could be traced to improper diet, or to
Intoxicating drinks, or to both united.
OF the remainder, suppressed perspira-
ton would comprise a great number.
A strong, healthy laboring man had a
severe attack of cholera, and after the
danger had passed was curious to as
certain the case. He had been cautious
and prudent in his diet. He used
nothing Intoxicating. His residence
was in good locality. But after some
hours of hard labor and very profuse
perspiration, he had laid down to take
his customary nap right against an open
window, through which very refresh
ing wind was blowing. Another is
drinking largely of cold water when hot
and thirsty. Great anxiety, fright, fear
all figure among melting causes. If
one can avoid all these he is as safe
from the cholera as from being swept
away by comet.
4. SYMPTOMS OF AN ATTACK.-While
cholera is prevalent in place, almost
every one experiences more or less dis
turbance of digestion. 1t is doubtless
in part imaginary Every one notices
the slightest variation of feeling, and
this gives an Importance to mere trifes.
There is often a slight nausea, or tran
silent pains, or rumbling sounds, when
no attack follows. No one is entirely
free from these. But when diarrh@
commences, though painless and slight,
it is in reality the skirmishing party of
the advancing column. II will have at
first no single characteristics of Asiatic
cholera. But do not be deceived. It is
the cholera nevertheless. Wait little,
give it time to get hold, say to yourself,
q" feel perfectly well, it will soon pass
off, and in a short time you will repent
of your folly in VAIN. 1 have seen many
n one commit suicide In this way.
Sometimes, though rarely, the attack
commences with vomiting. But in
whatever way it commences, it is sure
to hold on. In very few hours the
patient may sink into the collapse. The
hands and feet become cold and pur-
plish, the cOuntenancef at first nervous
and anxious, becomes gloomy and apa-
thetic, although a mental restlessness
and raging thirst torment the sufferer,
while the powers of life ale ebbing
The intellect remains clear, but all 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
diarrhse 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.
l. For STOPPING THE INCIPIENT DIAR-
RHEA.-The mixture which I used in
1913 with great success, and again in
1855, has during this epidemic been
used by thousands, and, although the
attacks have been more sudden and
violent, it has fully established its repu-
tation for efficacy and perfect safety.
1t consists of equal parts by measure of
l. Laudanum and spirits of camphor.
2. Tincture of rhubarb.* In an adult,
80 drops on a lump of sugar, will often
check the diarrh@. But to prevent its
return, care should always be taken to
continue the medicine every four hours
in diminishing doses of %, 20, Is, 10, 9,
when careful diet is all that will be
needed.
In case the first does not stay the
diarrhea continue to give increasing
doses, 80, 40, As, 60, at every movement
of the bowels. Large doses will pro-
duce no injury while the diarrhea lasts.
When that is checked then is the time
for caution. / have never seen a case
of diarrhea taken in season which was
not thus controlled, but some cases of |
advanced diarrhea, and especially of re- |
lapse, paid no heed to it whatever. As |
soon as this becomes apparent, l have |
always resOrted to this course Pro- |
cure teacup of starch, boiled as for |
use In starching linen, and stir into it |
full teaspoonfull of laudanum for an in |
lection. Give one-third at each move |
ment of the bowels. In one desperate |
case, abandoned as hopeless by physi- |
clan, l could not stop the diarrhea until |
the seventh injection, which contained |
nearly teaseoonful of laudanum. The |
patient recovered, and is in perfect !
health. At the same time / use pre- |
pared chalk in ten-grain doses, with |
few drops of laudanum and camphor to |
each. But whatever course is pursued !
1t must be followed up, and the diarrhea !
or the patient is lost
?. MUSTARD PoULTCE. should |
be applied to the pit of the stomach,
and kept on till the surface is well red |
dened.
3. The patient, however we'll he may |
feel, should observe perfect rest. To /
lie quietly on the back is one-half the |
battle. In that position the enemy fires |
over you, but the moment you rise you
are hit.
When the attack comes in the form
of diarrhea, these directions will enable
every one TO meet it successfully.
4. But when the attack is more vio-
lent, and there is vomiting, or vomiting
and purging, perhaps also cramps and
collie pains, the following mixture is far
more effective, and should always be re-
sorted to- The missionaries, Messrs.
Long, Trowbridge and Washburn have
used it in very many cases, and with
wonderful success. 1t consists of equal
parts of landanum, tincture of capsi-
cum, tincture of ginger and tincture of
,ardamon seeds. Dose, 80 to 40 drops,
Or half teaspoonful in a little water,
I