St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-11
THE CHOLERA.

THE CHOLERA
Another conflict with that great, destruc-
tive element, epidemic cholera. has begun
That the real Asiatic cholera has reached
France cannot be DOUBTED. All the coun-
tries in Europe are in great fear OF its spread
and are taking measures to prepare for it.
DR.. Koch, the eminent German authority on
the subject is reported to have gone from
Berlin to France, visiting Paris and Toulon,
and offering his services to the government
to determine the real nature and cause of the
cholera in the south of France. DIR. Koch
has studied the cholera in India. in the light
of the germ theory of infectious diseases, and
aud it is alleged has found the actual cholera
germ. These germs were found in cholera
patients, only-always in them, never in
Others, At an outbreak of cholera in Calcut-
ia, in the reservoir from which the people
drank water, the cholera bacillus was found
in great numbers. The epidemic subsidized
when the water was cleared of these para
sites.
An English surgeon in India tried an ex-
pertinent by giving some of the bacilli to- pig,
which was seized with virulent cholera and
died in three hours. The English people are
preparing to meet this dire enemy Of the
race. The theory that it is germ-spread
disease, and that it cannot be warded off by
establishing quarantine restrictions, is said
to have been accepted by the English gov
eminent, and no restrictions are placed up
on the entrance into English ports, of French
vessels. Should the epidemic break out in
T
shores at any time. Dr. Koch reports from
Toulon that ne has found germs, or mi
crobes exactly similar to those he discovered
in his experiments in India and Egypt, and
is credited with saying that fumigation is
useless, and that the disease will go every
where.
When deputation waited on Lord Palmer
ston then Premier, recommending him to
appoints day of prayer and intercession to
stay the cholera plague, he replied that while
it would be eminently proper to seek divine
protection, it was incumbent on the people
themselves to take measures for their own
safety, and he recommended the copious use
of whitewash in dwelling houses and good
drainage.
If according to DR.. KOCH the enforcement
of stringent sanitary regulations, cannot pre-
vent the spread of the disease, they may
mitigate its severity AMI fatal effects, to
marked degree.
The great feeders to typhoid fevers, and
to the cholera itself, are found in imperfect
sewerage, and impure water. Water which
has been regarded as the most pure, and
most safe of all drinks it is found may be
impregnated with the very germs of disease
and death. The people, and the authorities
of cities, should redouble their diligence in
establishing and practising the most statutory
sanitary regulations. In view of the i'm
pending visitation of the great cholera cpl
demic, every householder should bestow the
closest attention to cleanliness and renova-
ton, within and without and make his house
and his premises real sanitarfum Every
person should exercise the most dilligent
care in regard to diet and drink, and even
the quality of water, and its source of supply
should not 90 Thought of Or unchallenged.
As painful as the apprehended approach of
the dreaded epidemic may be, there is no
necessity for panic for that action will only
make matters worse. In calmness, and
in careful and intelligent action let all look
to their habits, their diet, to the cleanliness
of their premises to the sanitary regulations
of the cities, and abide results, with COM
posture born OF rational fortitude.
At the expense of slight repetition, the
GLOBE subjoins the following as a matter of
encouragement and instruction to its
tens of thousands of intelligent readers.
The memory of the cholera plague in Europe
and America is not pleasant one; and we are
not surprised that not France alone, but all
Europe, is Alarmed at the sudden outbreak of the
diaease in Touon. For hundreds of years it has
been epidemic and recurrent in India, following
the dispersion of the great Juggernaut pilgrim
ages, and, as intercourse with India has in.
creased, even finding its way, in successive tidal
waves, to Europe and America. In 1882 the dis
ease, having taken eight years for the journey
from India, by way of Russia and Poland, crossed
from Ireland to Quebec with dozen immigrants
and thence, passing by the way of the military
post of Fort Dearborn (Chicago), went down the
Mississippi reaching New Orleans in October,
1882, and destroying there 5000 out of a popula
ton of $4,000 In 1874 immigrants from Havre
carried the disease to New Orleans, where it
showed considerable violence aud extended
through the South and West. Meanwhile the
alton of the disease shorter progress: and the
outbreak of April, 1868, in India had been trans
ferred to Mecca early in May, to Alexandria
early in June, had reached India by July 10, and
in 1866 it was distributed from New York all
over the country, though with no such fatal
violence as in the case of its first appearance in
1882.
We now know more about the disease than we
did at the time of these visitationsa We know
its cause and character. The cause is precisely
like that of typhoid fever. II has a specific mi
croscopic germ, the bacillus discovered only
few months ago by the German physician, Koch.
in his researches on the cholera in India. This
bacillus swarms in the dejecta of cholera pa
tents, and is distributed partly perhaps as dust,
but chiefly in drinking water which has been
contaminated by the washings through the soil
of these dejecta. The researches of the German
commission confirm the deductions of experience
and show that HYGIENE and sanitary methods will
almost wholly control the disease, or will very
narrowly limit its spread. In times of danger all
water to- be drunk should be first boiled and
then treated with q few grains of permanganate
of potash. healthy stomach, in the process of
digestion, and with the stomach distended with
food which is being macerated by gastric Juice is
not likely to be affected even by infected water
The chief danger comes from drinking water
when the stomach is empty. In an infected reg
ion il is safe TO regard all water as infected
Cholera and typhoid fever alike are proving to us
the vast Importance of protect against the con-
tamnaton of sewage,
1t is not likely that there viii now be any great
spread of cholera in Europe, although il has
come early enough in the season to have time to
extend anywhere. But the French government
is awake and Is doing all that is possible to limit
the disease. The German, spanish and English
governments viii keep strict quarantine, and
the American government is receiving daily bull
letins and viii doubtless act as may be necessary
These plaques are no longer black terrors as thew