Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-08-12
The Cholera.

ST. Louis reports a genuine case of
Asiatic cholera, resulting in the death of
prominent citizen on Tuesday last. So
far as we know this is the only case that
has occurred in the United States this
summer. As this is the season for the
malady. however, and we still have six or
eight weeks of hot weather before us, dur
ing which it may make its appearance,
little reliable information regarding the
character of the disease and its antidote
may be given with profit. A year ago last
winter Congress passed joint resolution
directing the Secretary of War to detail
competent officer of the Medical Corps to
inquire into the cause of the epidemic
which prevailed in 1878 in some of the
Southern cities, and make detailed re-
port to the President. Surgeon Ely Nc
Clelland was dispatched on this duty, and
has made a very exhaustive report there
on He comes to the following conclu-
sions, all of which are supported by strong
arguments and an exhaustive army of
testimony:
1. Asiatie cholera is infectious, and re-
suits from organic poison gaining entrance
into the alimentary canal and affecting
the intestines.
2 An active agent in distributing the
poison is found in the DELEGATIONS of per-
sons suffering from the disease.
3. That this infectious matter, coming
in contact and drying upon any objects
like clothing, bedding and furniture, will
retain the power of infection indefinitely.
BY this means outbreaks of the disease
may occur at great distances from the seat
of original infection.
L. That the specific poison which pro
duces cholera originates alone In India
and is transmitted to other countries
through infected material. 1t has never
shown itself in this country until after
pestilential march has been begun in the
Eastern world, and its appearance here is
always preceded by the arrival of vessels
infected by ii.
5. Infection is accomplished through
the respiratory and digestive organs.
8. The violence of an epidemic in any
given community is influenced by its san
itary condition and not by the geological
formation on which the community re.
sides
z. That one attack Of the disease gives
no immunity from subsequent attacks but
rather increases the probabilities OF the
latter.
The first great preventive of the cholerais
rigid quarantine. New York observed
this in 1878, and escaped four distinct inn
portations of the disease from abroad. The
danger from infected fabrics is equally
great with that from individuals, and so it
frequently happens that cases occur at re
mote and isolated points from the sea
board, where the seeds have been carried in
infected clothing or household goods OF
emigrants The second great preventive is
cleanliness--cleanline of person and
premises. Disnfectants should be freely
and thoroughly used, and care should be
taken to exclude flies from the house dur
ing a cholera season, and especially pre-
vent them from coming in contact with
food DIR. McClelland thinks IL best for
those who are able to leave during chol.
era epidemic to do SO; and says, with Me.
meyer, that they should be sure 10 start
soon enough, go as far as possible, and not
return until the last trace of the disease has
disappeared. Great care should he taken in
matters of dress and diet. All excuses
should be avoided. Coffee, tea, chocolate,
the various condiments and spices, butter,
milk and eggs may be employed. Wine,
brandy and malt liquors may, in certain
cases, be allowed; and, when used mod,
erately, are sometimes very useful, but
must not be employed to the degree of
stimulation. The surgeons report will,
no doubt, be regarded as a very valuable
contribution to medical science. In con.
nection with this subject the following
recipe is given by the New York J0urndt
Of Commerce, which states that nothing 1t
has ever known has acted so perfectly in
preventing cholera attacks, or as a cure Tor
the ordinary complaints peculiar TO the
summer season:
Take equal parts of tincture of opium,
red pepper, rhubarb, peppermint and cam
phor, and mix them for use. The dose Is
ten to twenty drops in three or four tea
spoonfuls Of water. No one" says the
Jouraal Of Commerce, "who has this by
him, and takes il In time, will ever have
the cholera. "---Chicaao Iater-Oeean, July