The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-24

should see TO 1t that ell garbage is promptly
removed; that sinks and old wells are cleaned
ont, etc The third important requisite Is the
establishment of an isolation hospital. Such q
| hospital, as doubtless most people have forgot
ten. was established at Boston during the cpl
demic of lS49, and all cases discovered by the
| police and sanitary inspectors were conveyed
| there for treatment. As result, the progress
| of the disease was materially checked. For
the purpose of hospital, a 'tempora ry wooden
building would sufficiently answer the pur-
! pose but il should be supplied with all modern
conveniences, and especially with furnace for
the destruction of infected bedding and the
excavations Of the patients"
What is the character of the disease, and
what are Its symptoms2" asked TEE TRIBUNE
man.
THE SYMPTOMS
''The first symptom is cramps, followed by
vomiting and diRrrhea-an aggravated cholera
morbus, in fact. As the disease progresses, the
the watery portion of the blood is carried off
with the excavations, and thus the patient
finally dies from exhaustion and collapse. This
is characteristic of the third stage of the dis
ease, in which viii be seen the shrunken,
pinched face. and the staring CLASSY eye. At
this time, TOO, there is great thirst owing 20
the loss Of water from the system"
How long docs it take the disease to run
It's oourse3"
~ -ial, L bIab tUSTG ID q RTBaD
variability in the duration of the disease-some
patients having been known TO die in a couple
Of hours while others survive A5 hours or more"
There is a decided difference of opinion, is
there not, Doctor, in medical circles, as TO the
treatment for cholera?"
well" said he in reply, "the first thing
that man should do if seized with cramps,
which is the first symptom of the disease, is to
call his physician. As for the modes of treat
ment there are only two, but they differ widely
in their character The first proceeds ON the
theory that the disease is the result of poison
introduced into the system, and which should
be Immediately gotten rid of, and that the
symptoms observed are merely natures evi-
dences Of the fact. This method is the so-calleG
Eyer treatment, which originated in Mauritius
Java Islsnds) somewhere about 1856.
THE MAURTTTUs METHOD.
1t consists simply of the use of powerful
emetics and purgatives, promptly administered,
and in such quantities as to empty entirely the
intestinal trap before collapse can take place.
This treatment should say, which was gen.
orally resorted to by planters of Mauritius,
proved eminently successful, but it has not
been received with general favor By the medi-
cal profession either in this OF the Old World.
The second method, and that commonly in
use, consists in administering opiates and
stimulants-opiates for tbs purpose of arresting
the cramps and diminishing the secretions and
stlmulants in order TO support powers Of the
system. The half dozen or more popular mix
lures which are sold by the druggists as cholera
remedies are compounded,on this basis In ad-
dition, however, to these internal remedies, un-
der both methods, resort is generally had to the
application Of heat to the extremities and the
body"
HOW TO FIGHT TT.
What do You regard as the most efficient
means of fighting the cholera, should it once
become epidemic in this country?"
As to that should say that by I'll means
the most important thing is the destruction of
the excavations from cholera patients and es-
pecially those excavations which otherwise
would find their way into the common sewer,
and thereby be discharged into some river,
communicating the water from which the citi-
zens on the borders Of the stream further down
derive their supply, and thus communicating
the disease"
NO LAND QUARANTINE POSSIBLE.
Suppose the cholera had already reached
some American port, do you think il could be
prevented from spreading by the adoption Of
land quarantines-the qu2rantining Of one
State against another?"
That depends" be said, "upon the charac-
ter OF communication between adjacent towns
The germs of cholera, it is well known, are
readily carried by water from place to place, as
well as by clothing, cargoes of rags &C. In
my opinion the most important thing to be
done, should the disease make its appearance
IN this country, is to insure the destruction by
combustion Of the excavations from cholera
patients"
THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
It should be stated that ct the last session
Of Congress, J. Floyd King, Of Louisiana, in
troduced resolution in the House, appropriate
ing 100000 for an epidemic fund to be ex-
pended under the direction Of the National
Board Of Health. The resolution was referred
TO the Committee on Public Health. however.
and as that committee had Just reported against
making any appropriations of moneys to be
disbursed by the National Board Of Health, it
declined to turn over the fund 70 the latter
AS matter Of fact, the National Board Of
Health for some time past has been defunct
institution, and as the ability of the Marine
Hospital Service 10 deal with epidemics has
been fully demonstrated, there is really no
reason why it should not be entirely abolished
instead Of being allowed TO keep up this pre-
text Of an existence. An attempt has already
been made TO indnce the President TO turn
over the epidemic fund to this Board. but mas
much Is the Marine Hospital Service is fully
equipped and able, through its connections, to
enectuaily deal with the epidemic should it
break out in this country, they have as vet
failed OF the chance TO get their hands into the
Treasury.
HANDS OFF.
The matter was under discussion &C Satur-
days Cabinet meeting but the President de-
clined 70 interfere with the action of Secretary
Foleer, and it was decided TO establish, bv
means Of the Revenue Marine Service sani-
tary patrol along the coast 10 prevent the land
ing Of vessels from foreign ports which cannot
show clean bills Of health. The following proc
lamation was issued:
Feeling It my duty hereby csN upon all per-
sons tho are Entrusted with the execution of quar-
anime regulations 70 be GIigent and on the alert
N order 10 prevent the introduction OF the pesti-
lenee which, we al regret TO learn has made It's
tween which and the ports OF tie United slates in
ieIcouTse Is direct and frequent
further advise that the cities and towns of the
United states. whether the coast or on the lines
OF interior communication, by sound sanitary reg
ulatIons sd the production of cleanliness be pre-
pared 10 resist the power OF the disease and to
mitigate Us severity
And / further direct the Consuls of the limited
States in the ports where the pestilence has made
or may make its appearance to exercise vigilance
IN carrying out the instructions heretofore given
and IN communicating 10 the Government Of the
United States any information of value relating 70
the progress OF treatment of the disease.
The funds available amount to $4,000. The
deaths from cholera in Lower Egypt last wear
were officially stated at 10000.
Ii was Surg.-Gen. Hamilton who attended
Mrs. Gen. Roseerans in her last illness. and II
was owing TO his skillful treatment of ber
naalady that her life was prolonged
THE Boys sEED-oFF.
The Grand ARMY bows of fbe Nensrfr,arS 81