Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-09-04
DIR. SEWERS LETTER.
Pathology and its Treatment

columns Whose fault it is, whether of
the author, the printer, or the proof
reader, l am not prepared to say; but
like Skies in review of Higgins method
of running up an account. II have my
own opinion about it." However, must
trust to the intelligence of your readers
to supply that which is deficient aud to
correct that which is erroneous.
l gave in my last the formula which
we had found most effective in dealing
with the malady, as it existed among us.
The disease was of the most malignant
type, and perhaps on the account reveal
ed all the more distinctly the unmistaka-
bic evidences of Toxieemia, or blood pois-
oning. The agent chlorine, was employ
cd, because of its we'll known virtues as
purifier and disnfectant. In the sue
cessive trials made of the different forms
of this important agent, the intelligent
reader will readily comprehend the OBJ
ject: We wished to obtain the largest
amount Of chlorine in the smallest possi>
ble compass. | am not prepared to say
that the chlorate Of potassa would not, in
mild cases, and in large doses frequently
repeated, subserve the purpose. But in
view of the changes which the base of
this salt might undergo in the stomach,
and the fact that it might increase the
general alkalinity referred to, it was not
deemed the best combination of the ele-
ment. But it will be observed that the
recipe finally adopted combined all the
virtues to an antidote, tonic, astringent
and antiseptic of powerful character,
qualities suggested and indicated as ne
ccssary by the features of the disease. /
admit it as discredit to our profession,
that we have, as yet been unable to de-
teimine or define the precise charac>
ter of the poison so difusive ard so
destructive. But 1t is to be hoped
that, in the years to come," it will
be done. That the poisonous malaria,
which exhals from the inundated dis
tricts of the South and West, produc-
ing chills and fever, will be chemically
analyzed-tbat the specific character
of those subtle agencies which gene
rate typhus and yellow fever, as we'll
as the mysterious and underlined infu-
ence, whether atmospheric and depend
ent on the electrical, anlmalcular or
toGical condition of that element, or
zymotic and generated within the sys-
tom its,mS, shall be thoroughly under.
stood. have a hope, va, strong
and abiding confidence in the success
Of the science Of chemistry to that
extent and degree, that / believe the
time will come when we shall know
the precise chemical constituents and
character Of that poison-of that at.
mospheric, morbifc influence which
produces cholera as we'll as that which
generates typhus and yellow fever.
When so understood, wc shall comprc-
hend more fully and more perfectly the
actions ana reactions of both the
morbifc influences and the reagents
which neutralize and destroy them.
In the use of the remedy indicated
in the formula heretofore given,
haze, OF course, had no knowledge Of
the precise character Of that poison |
which had entered the system--by |
stealthy steps had invaded the citadel
of life. But in the absence of any
such knowledge, the symptoms indi.
Gated blood-poisoning. Chemical tests
revealed tho fact that the secretions
aud excretions were OF highly alkaline
character.
The acid treatment vas unequivo.
cslly indicated. The recognized vir-
tues Of chlorine as general disinfec-
tant and purifier, determined me on
the use eff hydro.chloric acid, in which
the combining proportions of that ele-
ment are chlorine SO, hydrogen 1. 1t
may very properly be asked, would I
not be able to derive all the advan-
tages sought for by the use of this acid
aloneP In many cases | am quite con-
fident l should. But where the dis.
charges have been profuse and rapid,
the pulse greatly reduced in volume
and strength and all the vital organs
depressed. ] should tail to derive the
which the formula presents.
We have failed to secure more salts
factory combination and hence its con-
tiuued use. The results have been
highly satisfactory aud successful. No
single case in our hands, uncomplicdted
Ioith organic disease Of ritdl organs, has
vet failed to respond most kindly to its