Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-07-05
THE CHOLERA.
Useful Hints Tor Its Prevention and
Treatment.


Useful Hints for It's Prevention and
Treatment.
Among the many suggestions now being
published in regard to the cause, charac-
ter prevention ana treatment of cholera,
we have seen none better adapted to the
wants of the people generally than the fol-
lowing. This was first published by the
Mutual Life Insurance company of New
York, eight years ago, in the form of q
communication to its policy holders, at the
time when the cholera was prevailing in
Europe and threatening 10 extend to this
country:
SYMPTOMS OF AN ATTACK.
Cholera in the majority of cases, be gins
with q premonitary diarrhGa. This is a
disease is fully established medicine has
not 80 much control over 1t, but In the be-
ginning it Is easily subdued. Neglect OF
this diarrhea will allow it to run on into
severe and uncomfortable cholera. After
the diarrhpa has lasted for some time the
cvacuations assume a peculiar appearance,
which is best described by the term usu-
ally applied to them as ''rice-water dis
charges" The patient will also, at times,
vomit similar matter. Should the dis
ease proceed further, the state termed COL
lapse surervenes. The pulse becomes
frequent and feeble, or may not be. per-
ceivable at the wrist the body is cold or
blush, and presents a shrunken appear.
ance. The skin is shriveled and bathed in
a cold sweat. There is cramp of the mus
cles Of the calves of the legs and thighs,
rendering them rigid, and drawing the
muscles of the abdomen into knots. These
contractions are attended with severe pain,
and form, indeed, the greater part of the
patients suffering. Persons who are care.
less frequently go about for day or two
with a slight diarrhoea upon them, and,
when too late, seek physicians advice.
TREATMENT.
There has been much diversity of opinion
on this head, but fortunately the medical
profession are now agreed as to the method
Of meeting the first advances of this dread
disorder. OF course it would be criminal
neglect not to send for physician at once,
for whatever remedies are used, whatever
their value, the practical eye and Judgment
of an experienced physician are needed to
discriminate the proper time for their use
and to judge of the peculiar wants of each
case. However, as time is all-important in
graphing with such foe, the remedies
should be at hand to meet the physician a,
once. When any diarrhea shows ITSELF il
should be treated by rest in bed, where
warmth and pure atmosphere can be
found if possible. This is most important.
The diet should be plain, and the following
prescription may be used to check the diar.
rh9a Laudanum, two drachms tincture
of camphor, two drachms, and tincture ol
cnpsicum two drachms = mix, and give ol
this thirty drops or one half a tea-spoonful,
four times day, if the disorder is mild.
In severe case, with much purging, the
same dose may be givn as often as every
two hours, with an injection, consisting oi
half tcacupful of starch with half q tea
poonful Of landanum this may be injected
three or four times in the course ofthe day.
The excremcntitious matter from the sick
should be disinfeeted Immediately, by
protochloride of iron, coal-tar, carbonic
no person directly use the place into which
such materials are emptied while cholera
is prevailing. Whenever practicable let
the matter be deeply buried in the earth,
and immediately covered with quicklime
or coal-tar and gravel. Let all tile vossels
and clothing used by the patients becleans'
ed with boiling water and soap. When
the patient is cold, and the body is covered
with cold sweat, showing symptoms OF the
medicine before indicated should be dis.
continued. If it be possible 10 givo hot
bath, as hot as it can possibly be borne, this
should be done, and the patient kept iu
it for ten or fifteen minutes, and then Out
to bed and covered with blankets. Mus.
tard plasters should be applied to the calves
of the legs and thighs, and friction made
over the whole abdomen and lower chest
with tincture of capsicum, ammoniated
liniment, or spirits of turpentine. The
thirst may be relieved by giving ice-wateI
in small quantities, or better still, by Civ
ing small Jumps of ice. Whatever is done,
do not give brandy, wine, or any stimulus
of the sort, as il will bo sure to do harm.
In this stage of the disease it is best not tc
give any medicine, unless q physician is
Mt hand to judge Of its adyisability, as the
injudicious administration Of drugs may dc
much harm. The idea ofcontagion should
be abandoned. Great fatigue, loss of SLEEP
at night from whatever cause), extreme
nervousness, fear and an imprudent and
improper mode of life, are generally the
active agents in the field, predisposing to
and getting the person ready for the foe.
In conclusion, we beg to remind the
reader that the foregoing hints are only the
skirmishers, to keep the enemy at bay un.
til the Irregular army" the active, intelli
gent physician, can get on the field. Send
for him at once, then. Remember that ar
ounce Of prevention is worth great many
pounds of cure in this disease, and thai
it, of all others, demands immediate
prompt, and active treatment, which we
insist can only be afforded by a medica
man.
-*The English and American physi
cians resident at Constantinople, use this
same prescription, substituting tincture o
camphor instead of capsicum, the cam
phor being considered by many as almos