Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-07-05
CHOLERA AND ITS TREATMENT.
Important Keromme enda'tons by ID
fiamIin Of COnstantin"Pse.


The cholera which has just left us af
ter committing fearful ravages, is max
ing it's way into Europe, and will prob
ably cross the Atlantic before another
summer has passed.
Having been provitlentially compelled
to have IA good degree of practical ac-
qlaintancc with il, aud to see 1T III all
its forms and stages during each of its
invasiOns of COnstantinople, / wish to
make TO friends in Maine some sugges-
tions which may relieve anxiety, or be
Of practical use.
l. On the approach of cholera every
family should be prepared to treat it
| without waiting for physician. 1t does
its work 30 expeditiously, that while
you are waiting for doctor it is done.
2. If yOu prepare for it, 1t 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 indls-
cretions of some member of a house
hold, may invite the attack, and the
challenge will never he refused. It will
piobably 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 he fatal.
3. CAsUEs OF ATTACK.-I have person
allv investigated at least 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 q great number.
| a .x.. LaaI<bx, lahoripn 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 a 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. Ii
one can avoid all these he is as safe
from the cholera as from being swept
away by a 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 trifies.
There is often slight nausea, or tran
sient 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 i'm reality the skirmishing party VI
the advancing column. 1t will have at
first no single characteristics OF Asiatic
cholera. But do not be deceived. 1t Is
the cholera nevertheless. Wait little.
give it time to get hold, say to yourself,
a feel perfectly we'll, it will soon pass
off, and in 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 III
whatever way it commences, it is sure
to hold on. In a very few hours the
patient NAV sink into the collapse. The
hands and feet become cold and pur
plish. the countenancef at first nervous
and anxious, becomes gloomy and apa
tbetic. although a mental restlessness
and raging thirst torment the sufferer
while the powers Of life a'e ebbmg
The intellect remains clear, but all the
: social and moral feelings seem wOnder
fully to collapse with the physlca
powers. The patient knows he Is t.
die, but cares not snap about 1t.
In. some cases, tllongh rarely. tn,
diarrhe continues for day or two, ant
|, the foolish person keeps about, thei
{ and lenly sinks, sends for physician
and before he arrives, "dies as the foo
{ dieth."
COURSE OF TREATMENT.
e I. For STOPPING THE INCIPIENT DIAR
: RHEA.-The mixture which 1 used II
1S48 with great success, and again Il
r 1855. has during this epidemic beel
f used by thousands, and, although tn
4 attacks have been mO1e Sudden ant
l. violent, it has fully established its repu
tation for efficacy and perfect safety
: 1t consists of equal parts by measure o
n 1. Laudanum and spirits of camphoi
9. Tincture of rhubarb.* In an adult
; 90 drops ON a lump of sugar, will ofte
check the diarrhe. But to prevent 1t
k return, care should always be taken t
n continue the medicine every four hour
in diminishing doses Is 25, 70, ID, 10,
e when careful diet is all that will b
Ut needed.
is In case the first does not stay th
diar.hea continue to give increasin
le doses, 50, 40, As, 80, at every mOvemel
I, of tNe bowels. Large doses will pr
10 due. mo injury while the darrhea last
q. When that ia checked then is the tim
ID for caution. l have never seen a ca'
in of diarrhea taken in season which WI
Of not thus controlled, but some cases I
advanced diarrhea, and especially OF r
r lapse, paid no heed to it whatever. 4
De soon as this becomes apparent, l ha'
er always resorted to this course Pr
el cure teacup of starch, boiled as II
use in starching linen, and stir into 1t
is full teaspOonfull of laudanum for an i
IN lection. Give one-third at each NOV
" ment of the bowels. In one despera
IS, case, abandoned as hopeless by phys
I'd clan, could not stop the diarrhea un'
the seventh injection, which contain,
We nearly teaspoonful of laudanum. M
ss patient recovered, and is in perfe
!" health. At the same time l use pr
ed pared chalk in ten-grain doses, with
few drops of lauasnum aud camphor
d. each. But whatever course is pursu
be it must he followed up, and the diarrh
,st controlled or the patient is lost.
m 2. MUSTARD POULTICE.- shou
no onpl;ed tn the nit of the stOmac