Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-07-05
LETTER FROM PALMYRA.

EDITORS CHRONICLE: hope you
will indulge me in very brief report
of my observations on the recent visi-
tation in Palmyra and vicinity of that
frightful malady, Epidemic Cholera.
1 was called by DR.. Eldridge on seve-
raj occasions in consultation, remained
with him as long as was in my power,
observed closely the symptoms. The
disease now prevailing iu that locality
is characterized by all the frightful
symptoms of Asiatic Cholera, except
the sodden, corrugated condition of
the hands and withered state of the
face. The cuticle retained its smooth
ness to the end, Notwithstanding the
rapid evacuation and extraordinary ex-
halation from the surface, and the Wis
ible shrinking and rapid diminution of
the whole body, that within few hours
presented extreme emaciation. Not
withstanding the absence of this re-
markable symptom, all the other char
acteristics being so prominent, the in
ordinate rice discharges from the stom-
ach and bowels, the violent cramp of
the muscles of the thigh, calves and
abdomen, the blueness of the skin,
bathed in cold perspiration, the blue,
cold condition of the tongue, the COO
choIerica, or faint, husky voice, the
anxious, hippocratic face, and early
dissolution by asthenia. We unhesi-
tatingly pronounce it epidemic chol-
era" of very malignant type.
l have been with it in two of its Wis
itatiOns to our county before, and L
think that it has manifested more ma
lignancy at Palmyra than l observed
on former occasions. Our treatment
was as follows, modified of course by
circumstances:
r. Tinct. Opii,
Camphor,
Z" Capsicum, each one ounce,
Sulphuric Ether, half ounce. Mix.
Dose, a teaspoonful every hour, alternately
with the following pills:
r. Pulv. Opii,
Sugar Lead,
Calomel, each twenty grs. Make TWEEN
ty pills.
As soon as quiet condition of the
stomach and bowels was obtained, we
administered ten (10) grains of calo-
mel, with two (2) grains of opium
This course has been vigorously pursued
by DIR. Eldridge, frequently amended
by the addition of aromatics and other
astringents when thought advisable
The result has been that out of twelve
or fourteen cases that were treated
from the first symptoms, or the diar-
rhea stage, all except one are Gonzales
cent-this was Mrs. Frail-although
several of them reached alarming
symptoms. Of the six that have died
up to the present, five were not treated
until the disease had developed itself
in its most frightful form. The disease
has not been ushered in without previ-
Gus warning of diarrhea in but two
cases. We are, therefore, of the opin-
ion that if the public at large would
go to their family physicians and get
such medicines and directions as are
reliable for the treatment of the diar-
rher, or forming stage, and not rely on
those worthless nostrums which are
now being vended, and be prompt in
the application of them, the fell NAL
ady will be robbed of many of its vic
tins.
The following are those that have
persisted: Rolfe Eldridge, Esq. Pat
tie Eldridge, daughter of Dr. Eldridge;
Mrs. Ramey; Mrs. Frail; Mrs. George,
and the little colored boy living with
her.
The disease, to the present writing,
is confined almost exclusively to the
Palmyra Hollow, and the more recent
cases are of a milder' form and yield
more readily to treatment.
Respectfully yours,
j. 4. OUTLAW
New Hope Hill. June 80, 1873.
TUE Dubuque Telegraph says: "a
in this city, who has been