The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-25


average OF fourteen days, the deserted houses
could be again occupied at the expiration of that
time, after they had been thoroughly purified and
disinfected from cellar to garrett In selecting
cholera hospitals and refugees for people during
cholera cpidemics the nature OF the soil selected
for building or for the asylum should be carefully
examined. 1t is absolutely necessary, however.
that the soil should be examined aud the precau-
tionary measures above noted taken before the
arrival OF the pestilence, since II takes long time
to purify soil once impregnated with the disease
nourishing matter. 10
Having thus treated Of the local and seasonal
dispostion attracting cholera Dr. Pettenkofer goes
to an examination Of individual disposition. Here
can only positive, observed facts be of use. Ex-
perience has taught ne says, that every attack OF
cholera is preceded by the so-called cholera disr-
rhea, which, after continuing for Q longer or
shorter period, turns to violent cholera.
MEDICAL AID. -L
'ln times of epidemic many such cases OF cholera
diarrhGa appear which do not turn to cholera and
which cease without leaving any bad result, even
without medical treatment, and experience has
proved that in cases of such attack, when the pa
tent Immediately seeks his bed and calls in medical
aid proper cholera rarely follows. The majority of
cholera attacks result from neglected diarrhea.
This Is an experience independent OF all theory.
When cholera epidemic breaks ont the sanitary
officials and authorities cannot take more effect
I've course than having these preliminary attacks
attended to BY the city physicians. In the year
1886, when the epidemic broke out In Munich, the
government Immediately divided the whole city
into sanitary districts and established in these
medical visitation houses, the duty OF which was
the timely discovery OF the foreboders OF the dis
ease by the daily visits OF physicians to the dwell
ings OF the healthy OF their district as well i'm
mediate assistance More recently during cholera
epidemics many places have erected so-called
diarrhea stations, to which all persons attacked
could Immediately resort"
DR.. Pettenkofer then goes into the causes of the
cholera diarrh9a, and gives valuable advice as to
It's prevention. He urges people to avoid taking
cold to be careful in regard to diet and clothing;
take full bath in tepid water at least once
week, and, in short, to adopt rational sanitary
mode OF life In all things. During cholera epidem-
les he recommends the wearing OF flannel bindings
about the abdomen and sleeps wool socks and
stockings. Good clean beds, pure linen, good
clothing are the most effective means against dis
turbances OF the transpiratory functions. The
promotion Of the activity Of the skin by internal
means peppermint and chamomile tea, warm
wine, &C., is matter for the doctors to decide as
well as In regard to the OF Russian and Roman
Irish baths" He warns against all kinds Of
guack remedies, which are worse than
useless. "If any one possessed the secret
OF such remedy" he says che would
have no need to keep 1t to himself since he would
be sure Of brilliant reward from the nation"
The physician is the best adviser IN times Of
cholera epidemics, and his attendance should then
be daily. In regard to diet DIR. Pettenkofer recon-
mends no sudden change, but an avoidance Of all
hat hou
furious to him. Meats purchased during cholera
epidemics must be carefully washed subjected to
full boiling heat Incorporate, drunken persons
are apt to prove easy victims to the cholera. Pure
air inside the house is essential to good health
at any time more especially during epidemcs
DIsNFECTIoN.
The paragraphs on disinfection by DR.. Petten-
kofer need not be repeated here since the process
Is 80 well known, and the sanitary bodies having
spread SO much information on the SUBJ
ject. He admits that medical science
has been able hitherto to do little tow
ards checking the pestilence when 1t has
once broken out and urges that the government
should IN all cases support the efforts of the
sanitary ofcials in the endeavor to solve the mys
terry OF the cause and spread OF cholera In regard
to disinfection, Pettenkoer says that attention
must in future not be paid much to the disinfec
ton of the sick and their excretions as to the To-
calities in which they were taken sick An infect
ing locality cannot, however, be properly disin-
fected as long as 1t is occupied; the people them
selves must be removed and the entire house sub
jected to publication, and not occupied again for
space OF twelve or fourteen days. DR.. Pettenkofer
gives much more valuable information on the sub
ject, which, however, will not repeat, knowing
that so uch has already been said In America. It
would be we'll, however, for physicians and sani-
n.
and to have its suggestions and experiences trans
lated for or incorporated In q similar publication
for America. The great object to be attained in
such publication is, as DR.. Pettenkofer remarks,
to prepare the people for the reception OF the dis
ease whenever 1t comes, to provide them with
knowledge OF the best means OF evading its attack
and OF combating 1t most successfully when 1t does
come. The little pamphlet is published in Munich
by luxembourg and costs only twenty-five cents.