The Evening critic., 1884-07-24
pr. rkari. ON Choiern.

II to foreknow an enemy Is to be fore.
armed against him, tho public cannot too
diligently bear In mind the recent utterl
ances Of DR.. Koch on the subject Of cholera,
DR.. Koch does not profess TO be healer,
but merely an observer Of the disease, but
at the peril Of his life he has made observa-
tions which give him probably moro
thorough understanding Of its origin and
progress than any other person in the world
now possesses. As to the nature Of the dis
case and the means by which 1t is commu-
nicated he says:
The Infection is not conveyed by the air. but
by the absorption OF tho microbes In eating,
thus. Introducing them into the digestive
canal. This is done both by means OF drinks
and OF solid food. Hence my advice to the au-
thoritles to close the wells and for people to
drink water which has been boiled, or comes
from ep0tB distant from the Injected centres,
a, or waters slightly mineral, Hence, also, the
iHecessity OF only eating things cooked at q
high temperature, such as vegetables, and
fruits deprived OF their skins or boiled down.
The microbo dies when exposed to high, and
especially a dry, temperature. IL is solely
transmissible by direct deIectons,. or articles
eoiled by them. The fret precaution, there
fore, 10 TO expose tho linen OF patients to dry
heat, or carbolic acid, somewhat strong, for
/ the nlicrobe cannot live In strong solutions OF
carbollc acid or in great drynesss. II llke5
moisture and 1ourshes in II. IL has been
found In ponds In the countries whore cholera
exists. high wind, the Mistral, for Instance,
soiled article, when once dried, Is not danger
GUS, for the microbe is dead and incapable OF
reproduction. This Is why recommend the
closing and drying for some hours OF infected
rooms.
DR.. Koch gives the following directions
to those exposed to the epidemic, and for
the care Of those afflicted with IL:
In time OF cholera It is necessary to lead a
regular life, experience showing that digest.
i've arrangements promote the outbreak OF
rhO1ara. Exrpaa In paftnp nj drinking ahOuld
therefore be avoided, as also heavy food which
may produce diarrhDa. Send for doctor as
soon as the latter appears. Swallow no food
coming from an infected house. Articles com
ing from an unknown quarter should be
cooked; mention milk In particular. All
water denied by man ehould be prohibited.
/ Doubtful water to DO avoided 10 that coming
from shallow wells In Inhabited spots,a ANA from
marshes, ponds, brooks or water.courses re-
ceiving and conveying contaminated water.
which in any way has been denied by chol-
eraic excavations. As corollary OF the fore
going It may be added that water used In
washing dishes. and linen should not be
thrown into wells or streams or the vicinity OF
them. When 1t is impossible to obtain water
pure, the simplest plan is to boil 1t. This re-
fers not merely to drinking, but to kitchen
water, for tho choleraic germ may be trans.
mitted when In water TO the person using 1t
for washing linen or dishes, or for preparing
food or additions. The chief lesson from this
remark is that water drunk 10 not the only
vehicle OF the choleraic germ. That water Is
pure or boiled Is not an absolute safeguard.
Any case Of cholera may become a centre OF
infection. The patients should be removed
and unnecessary contact avoided. In rooms
where there are choleraic patients eat aud
drink nothing, Oholeraic excavations should
be collected In vessels containing solution OF
carbolic acid. The apartments of choleraic
patients should be left uninhabited for six
days. Persons having had contact with pa.
tients should wash their hands in soap and
water and q solution OF carbollc acid. In case
OF death the body should be Immediately re-
moved. Articles used by patients should not
be transported till after dieinfection. Laun-
dresses should not take the linen OF patients
unless disinfected.