National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-07-19

the immigrants were brought to Now
Orleans have hitherto been studiously
concealed. From New Orleans tho
plague passed up the Mississippi river
along the 1S48 route, doing most damage
ut Nashville and Memphis. From Gin.
cinnati IL swept along to Pittsburg and
the neighborhood of New York aud Phil
adelphia, but was effectuslly prevented
from entering tho last two cities by
rigid quarantine, which had already in
the same year stopped several cholera
the last appearance Of cholera in Amer
leo.
The mortality in tho various visitations
differed widely. In New York 1906
persons died Of cholera in 1882, tho aver
age number Of deaths per week being 1888,
and the highest $50, during the week end
ing July %. In the same year $3.50 died
In Albany and 6,000 in Now Orleans. In
PHILADELPHIA, as In many other cities, the
deaths were not recorded and the esti-
mates, being made from the statements
of undertakers, arc necessarily incom-
pleto. In 1888 300 died within seventeen
days in Tampico, in Mexico, and many
more In Cuba.
In 1S4s 679 died in Chicago 953 in st.
Louis, 1,400 In Cincinnati, aud $50 on tho
Istbmus of Panama. In Sacramento 1000
died out of population of 5000. 1000 of
Yhom had hurried away before the cholera
arrived. In 1854 1,424 died in Chicago,
and about 1000 in Detroit. In tho Same
year there were 2,507 deaths In Barbados.
whittier the cholera had been carried from
this country.
In 1865 610 died In Chicago within twelve
days. and nearly 2, 500 within one month at
st. Louis. The total loss at st. Louis In
that year was $500, at Cincinnati ], 400, ut
Chicago 800, and in New York city 1000.
In 1873 the number Of persons attacked
was 1000. There were 259 deaths In New
Orleans, about 800 rs of which occurred
in one day. in Nashville, 118 in Chicago.
and POI in Cincinnati. These numbers
are almost certainly incorrect and under
estimated. The mortality in towns and
villages was comparatively much greater
than in cities. but, unfortunately, few
records were made except in tho most
populous places.
There are five kinds of cholera--cho lera
morbus, septic cholera, bilious cholera,
cholera infantum, and Asiatic cholera.
The first four may be defined as diseases
which resemble and may DO suddenly
changed into Asiatic cholera. The
characteristics of all Of them are stimuli
tapeous and repeated vomiting and purg-
ing, painful spasms of tho stomach and
bowels, and occasional cramps of the ex-
ternal muscles.
The advice Of those who have had tho
widest experience In the previous OPT
demic is, that as measures Of precaution
in case Of repetition of the visitations
care should DO taken to eat nothing that
has boon handled by persons in the incl
pient stages of cholera. All fruits and
vegetables should be carefully washed.
The clothing should be frequently
changed, and nothing worn during the
day should be left on the body at night.
Every cesspool, public urinal, and water
closet should be disinfected. The clothes,
bedding, and other articles used by per-
son in cholera should be disinfected,
washed, and, If necessary, destroyed.
Panic should be avoided, as 1t frequently
brings on peculiar kind of diarrhea,
which almost causes death. Personal
cleanliness should be carefully attended
TO. Nurses and doctors in attendance on
patients should carry three or four hand
kerchiefs, towel, and should never leave
the sick room without carefully washing
their hands. The tenement houses should
be visited by doctors during the entire
year, aud not alone for two mouths as at
present. Special precautions should be
taken during winter, as it is tho worst
season for infectious and contagious
diseases, owing to the houses being shut
up, oyerheated, and badly ventilated.
Care should be taken not to confound
cholera morbus with Asiatio cholera.
The first stages Of the latter are gener-
ally less severe than those Of the former.
The symptoms of cholera, as described
by DR.. Ely Mcclellan, of the army, in
his report upon the epidemic of 1873, are
o general malaise or feeling of uneasi-
ness, borborygmi or rumbling of wind
in tho bowels, and disrrhea; the latter
passive, painless, but attended with in
creasing langor and fatigue. This stage
in the greater number of cases was from
one to Eve days in duration. In the
majority Of reported cases the attacks
were announced at IN early hour in the
morning, the largest number having oc-
Cured at or about 3 o'clock q. m. Vomit-
ing at first Of the contents OF the stomach
and later Of tho characteristic rice water
discharge, Of which the dejecta soon
wholly consist, constitutes tho second
stage. followed quickly by cramps of the
extremities, and collapse, the third and
fatal stage. This last regular symptom
is followed by what is known as the
reactive stage, favorable turn being
possible in this condition.