The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-25
DISCUSSING THE PLAGUE.
The County Medical Society Consid-
ers the Cholera Epidemic.
Treatment Recommended by Various Physi-
cians-Opinions to the Causes for the
Disease-The Plaques of '53 and '73.

ular session last evening and, by special arrange
ments, the question for discussion was "The
Cholera Epidemic-Causes and Treatment of the
Disease" The meeting was largely attended,
there being present Drs. Sutcliff, Bigelow, Har-
vey, Elder Wooden, Todd, Bryan, Taylor, carp,
Wagner, Swain, Long, Morgan, Oliver, Hadley,
Eastman, Cook, Henthorne. Ferree, Ferguson,
Button, Wishard, Waterman, Hubbard, w. B.
Fletcher, Guido Bell, Panther Comingor, c. l..
Fletcher, ]. Taylor, Roe, Or. Joseph Rogers, and
others.
DR.. Newcomer opened a discussion the
subject of cholera, stating that the subject was
so wide and so important that no doubt the
topic would occupy several evenings before the
society. DR. Newcomer said cholera is not con-
tagIous in the sense that smallpox is contagious
bet was conveyed in the matter discharged from
the bowels, as with typhoid fever. These dis
charges infect water, and the disease is dis
seminated. Cholera is believed to exist in India
at all times. only periodically becoming cpl
demie DR.. Newcomer discussed the treatment
employed by the profession in this city in 1858.
epidemic cholera might be properly called q
disease of the exhalent organe, the bowels, skin,
Kidneys etc.
There is no disease which so demands a knowl-
edge OF anatomy, physiology and pathology as
epidemic cholera.
DR.. Newcomer said he recollected we'll the
morning in the summer of 1853, when cholera
to seven and then to fourteen daily.
The Doctor discussed the relations of fear to
cholera. stating that the power Of the will was
paramount In this disease, as was well shown IN
the case of DR.. Bobbs, who controlled his phys
ical condition purely through his mental power.
When DR.. Newcomer told him, as the result of
consultation, that he would die, he declared
with the oath Of Ethan Allen that he would
never die of cholera. By force OF his great will
and the free use of stimulants and water he re-
covered
DIR. Newcomer thought that one-half OF the
treatment depended on controlling the fears and
food and appetite OF the patients during an cpl
demlc of any kind, especially of cholera.
DR.. Thad Stevens stated thai cholera always
follow the lines of travel coming to IhdianaDo-
lis in 1851 and 1858 by way of Cincinnati and
5helbyville. The epidemic of 1873 was not re-
gnrded by all true cholera. This was an err
ror, as it proved to be true cholera. 1t came in
June, and in the valley of Pogue's run. 1t did
not seek the highlands by preference, but was
imported to the highlands by persons moving in
from the valley.
DR.. Waterman had passed through two cpl
denies; had suffered with it himself in 1851 In
Oxford. o., cholera took an erratic course, GO
ing down one side of High street, killing all
that IT struck. Had also seen the epidemic of
1888 in Cincinnati; thought with DR.. Stevens
that the symptoms were those of a conReetive
chill; secretion was SUSPENDED; the serum of the
blood is drained off IN few hours, and tue func-
lions are suspended. The Indications are to sus-
tain the circulstion-givIng stimulsnts.
DR.. Harvey thought we were more alarmed
when the cholera was in Egypt than when it
was in Indiana. He had met the cholera in
Kansas in 1s4e,in winter. He did not believe
IL.
suit of a vitalised contagiOn,
In 1888 cholera introduced into Plain
field, Ind, by the bringing of a resident
dead of cholera home for burial. All VINO
brought home the corpse died OF cholera Did
not think the gravel soil of Indianapolis daptrd
to cholera; cholera seemed to avoid Indlanapo-
lis did not believe in calomel in general practice
hnt II there was any disease made for a remedy,
cholera was made for calomel.
DR.. Wishard had never seen but four genuine
cases of cholera in fifty years. practice; these
were imported cases. Had seen diseases simu-
lating cholera The physician had better in
cases of cholera not leave the patients TO the
care OF frightened nurses, but stick close by
them himself.
DIR. Hadley discussed the nature and treatment
of the epidemic in 1873 in this city; thought it
was true cholera and not malicious congestion.
DIR. Bigelow traced the course of the epidemic
of lS52-53, as it radiated from Indianapolis as
a center. Thought cholera was largely u nerv-
must be overcome. Would the stimulant
treatment.
DR.. Comingor thought that cholera was so
be learned from comparison Of ex.
perience. Believed cholera was shock
of the nervous system; it attacks those
the endemic would not res CHI here; it is not
germicidal disease as 1t doe, not aEGack children
under twelve years, or idiots
Would quarantine against 1t, ana brace up
puplic opinion that people would not fear it,
DR.. Elder thought 1t was not a fancy; not a
nervous disturbance, but terrible reality, at
lacking children, idiots and brave men, these dy-
ing in an hour. Had loo men die OF it in Gin
cinnati In day; believed cholera a specific
disease ..'or.
DR.. Wooden believed cholera was a warm
weather disease, the result of a specific disease
killing children well as adults; the disease
eau he stamped out by the use of disnfectants
and by burying the excavations. 1t was the
duty ofevery physician TO see that this is DONE
Drs. HenthOrne, Sutclif and others discussed
the question at length and the meeting adj
journed.