New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-27
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, July 2j.-Thc cholera epidemic
which prevailed in parts of the United States in
1873 and which nearly depopulated many towns In the
Mississippi Valley caused much alarm that Congress
Mt e. next session passed Joint resolution directing the
Secretary OF War to detail medical officer OF the army
to visit the towns in which cholera had prevailed TO col
lect far possible all facts of importance In regard 20
the epidemic, and TO make detailed report to The Pres
idenf. For this important duty Surgeon Ely Mcclellan,
L. s. A. was selected and his report, completed last
Winter, Is passing through the press at the Govern
mcnt Printing Office and will be ready for disriba-
ton.
Dr. Mcclellan has divided his work. which is probably
the most exhaustive on the subject published In this
country into two partsthc first comprising complete
history OF the epidemic in the United States In 1873,
with chapters it, eti0ogy aud prevention ana the
second containing history OF the travels OF Asatic
cholera both in the Old and In the New World An ap
pcndx Of than 200 pages has been added contain
ing list Of books and articles relating to cholera ware
fully prepared by DR.. John 5. Billings, Assistant Surgeon,
L. A. which will he found OF especial value to all
medical men who wish to carry their Investigations on
the aulec, into detail than d.. McCellans report
goca.
After giving q clinical history OF the epidemic Of
1873 DR.. Mcclellan, I'm his chapter its etioogy lays
down propositions the result OF this part Of his
Investigations and each Of them supported b. several
pages argument and illustration. These propositions
follows:
l. That Asiatc cholera f. an Infections disease result
ing organic poison wh b. gaining entrance into
the almenry canal, acts primarily upon and destroys
the intestinal epthcliuiD.
H. That the active agents IN the disIihn ion OF the
cholera poison the objections Of persons suffering
from the disease in any OF stages. That in these de
jectons there exists organic matter, which, AT Ger
tain Of decomposition is capable of reproducing
disease in the human organism to which IL has gained
access
III. That chocr,-l'cca coming in contact with and
driving upon any objects such articles of clothing,
bedding and furniture. Will retain indefinitely their
power OF infection. That in this manner sure trans
instability OF the cholera infection Is effected ana that
di tnct outbreak of the disease may occur by such
means at great distances from tho seat Of original
infection.
" That the specific poison which produces the dsoase
known cholera originates alone in India, and that by
virtue OF it's ransnissilty through the persons lin
fe,tcd individuals in The meshcs OF infected fabrics
the disease carried into All quarters OF the world That
cholera has yet appeared I'm the Western hemi-
sphere until after its ~ pcstl.nal march has been
begun IN The Eastern world and that its epidemic APP
uoaiance upon the North American continent has nyari
ably been preceded ny the arrival Of vessels infected with
cholcra-sck or laden with emants and their property
from infected districts.
" That the respiratory aud digestive organs are the
ayenuea through which individual injection ia
pIished that through the atmosphere Of infected ocai
cholera frequently 10
that water may become contaminated with the specific
poison OF cholera rom the atmosphere from surface
washngs, from neglected sewers cesspools, pryies,
and that the use OF infected viii induce out
break of the disease.
VI That the vruence Of . cholera demonstration, the
contagon having been introduced INTO a community, Is
influenced by the hygienic condition OF the population,
and not by any geological formation upon which they
may reside
VII. That attack Of cholera imparts 10 the indi
yiduaI Immunity from the disease in the future but
that the contrary seems 10 be established.
In his chapter Thc Prevention Of Cholera illustr
ted 10y tie Cholera Epidemic OF 1875 Dr. Mcclellan places
the greatest rigorous quarantine" He says
it has been clearly demonstrated that the city Of
York the year 1873 secured from four distinct
importations epidemic cholera by the rigorous qun
tine Oi observation, which, under The sucntendece of
Health Officer VanderpOeI hats nsaiy approached
perfection than any other smil II institution which the
United States has known" In these instances searching
investigation WAS made into The history of each
case each patient isolated and dSncctants were
judioiOusy employed But quarantine to he effective
mus, be equally enforced in every port If entry, other
wise, while SewNork Is efcctualy closet 10 the intro
ducton OF the visible disease the poison nay enter at
other places and spread all over the country TIE danser
from infected fabrics Is equally great with that from in
ccted individuals The goods of cmgrauts from n 'cced
districts packed homo and not ned until tne emf
grant reaches his home in the West may transmit
the poison and distinct outbreak OF the disease
when 1t failed to make its appearance on shipbOar so,
in ls73 although the visible disease not allowed
enter New York, infected fabrics did to the city and
were the Of establishing points OF Infection from
which the disease spread far in the interior OF the United
states Dr. Mcclellan suggests tho disniection Of all
goods arriving from Infected district, and the csab
Ishmcnt OF National Sanitary Bureau FOR The collection
Trustworthy sanitary information for the OF all
local boards OF health.
The second great preventive Of cholera ia cleanliness
and under this head Dr. Mcclellan urees attention 10
the condition of each and surrounding prem
i-es "a the condition OF natural drainage OF town
and personal Cleanliness Disnlt elton, after tho dis
has appeared, is also very necessary ard care
should be taken that the disiulecnts used elective
tina, they de- not simply change the odor but dostl0y
the roison. Distinction shUud extend not Only -
clothing and furniture but the air that is hr' athed
and the that is used. Flies popularity supposed
TO transmit the dfrase and every effort should be- made
to exclude them from the house when cholera prevails
and especially to prevent them from coming Ia contact
with food or dishes.
Finally, Dr. Mcclellan urges especial attention Ia ind-
yidual habits during cholera epidemic. Ia the fast
place. he says best all persons in whose power
may be to So leave at the infected district, and
he quotes Nicmcycr's rules a. follows:
III To sla!t soon enough
Cd To go far as possible.
3 Not to return und the Last trace Of the disease
has disappeared
Great care should also be taken in the matters Of dress
and diet. regard to the latter the doctor says that
excuses of al kinds should be avoided good substantial
food well roarod. should be taken Coffee tea, choco
late various condiments and spices. and butter, milk
and eggs, not prohibited. Vine, brandy, aud malt
ouols the author thinks NAV not only be allowed but.
when used in moderation, extremely useful in avert
ing those facilitating influences which so often prevent
the sysem from repeing the disease; but their use
should be ntcrdctcd positively whenever undue sntl
ton results Dr. McIlellan's entire report will be found
Of great value not Gully ~ medical men, but also for pop
ular distribution.