The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-07-14
CHOLERA.
United States Consul Mason Gives
Some Valuable Information.

United States Consul Frank H. Mason of
Marseilles, has sent to the department of
state practical conclusions concerning native
and Asiatic cholera and the best methods of
prevention and treatment derived from the
studies of the epidemics of 1884 and the pre-
ceding years at Marseilles. After sketching
briefly experiences there during nine cholera
epidemics since 1924, describing the varying
action the disease manifested in different
cases, such as diarrh9a for two or three
days, followed by the disease proper; again
a sudden attack sometimes while sleeping, in
one case yomitings and purgings, in another
neither of these, Consul Mason goes on to
say these variations were never so great or
perplexing as last year. He adds: sIn its
choice of victims cholera is most precise and
definite. With rare exceptions they belong
to one of the four following classes: Those
who live under bad hygienic conditions, in
respect to food and lodgings those who are
imprudent in respect to eating, drinking
and exposure; those weakened and debili-
tated by alcoholic excess and those who suf-
fer from chronic digestive weakness or de-
rangement Among imprudences which be-
come dangerous in the presence Of cholera,
are oyereating to the extent of producing
lethargy or Indigestion, drinking any gllquid
so-called, as check the process of digestion !;
eating raw vegetables in the form of salads
and in the general use of raw fruit unless
perfectly fresh and ripe. Drinking cold wa
ter or beer after having eaten raw fruit is a
direct challenge to cholera, which no person.
however strong and healthy, can afford to
risk. The susceptibility of drunkards to
choleric influences is proven by abundant
evidence, among which may be cited the
sweeping fatality of the disease wherever it
has attacked the inmates of au inebriate asy-
lum. Anything, in fact, whether of tenn
porary or chronic nature, which impairs the
vlgor OF the digestive organs, exposes the
persons thus weakened to choleric attack. In
relation to the transmission of cholera Ma
son says contagion is transmitted by inhala-
ton of the air infected by clothing, rags
wool, etc, which have been tainted by con-
tact with disease and by water. He cites
the case of man who fled from Marseilles
and was not taken i'll until he had unfastened
his trunk, taking contagion from clothing
therein. A servant girl went from Marseilles
to the village of Omerques, and after arriving
there washed some OF her infected clothes
In a creek which supplies the village with
water. Not only was the village decimated
by cholera as the result, but also the terrific
ry below through which the stream runs,
while that above escaped. Mason says au-
thorities of Marseilles agree that the disease
does not transmit itself directly from the
cholera patient to a person in good health,
neither by contact nor by inhalation. The
objections and vomit of a cholera patient us
ually contain the germ of contagion which,
although not Immediately transmissible Of
ten when placed under favorable conditions
quickly developes contagion. Clothing and
textile merchandise are far more dangerous
as vehicles OF contagious principle than indi-
viduals. CholericsIpoison attacks only per-
sons in greater or less degree prepared for it.
The five most effective destrOyers of cholera
germs in excretions are: l. Solution sulphate
copper, in proportion not less than two
ounces to one quart of water; liquid chloride
of zinc, u ounces to quart of water, BIZ
chloride mercury, 1-6 ounces to quart water
bichl0ride copper ounces to quart of water
sulphurlc acid, ounces to quart of water.
The same chemicals are used for the disln-
lection of water closets, sinks and all other
seats OF decay or infection. For washing
streets and drains sulphate iron 10 pounds in
go gallons water, or liquid chloride zinc, &c
pounds in 220 gallons has been found most
effective and practicable. Picnic acid in
| proportion of 10 pounds to 800 gallons water
was largely used at Marseilles last year, but
the results were less satisfactory than eX-
| pected, some experts even going SO far as to
affirm the picnic principle preserved rather
| than destroyed germs of c0ntagion.
The report then touches upon the problems
of caring for cholera on ship-board, in bar
rocks, aSylumS, prisons, ETC., as eXemplifed
at Marseilles. At Vomachs practical exemp-
ton from disease was attributed to the wear
ing of broad belt or girdle of flannel to pro-
tect the stomach and bowels from sudden
| chill White linen or cotton 'hanlocks'' to
be worn during all out door exercise, abso-
| lutte Introduction Of green fruits, use of rice
| in all soups, a quart of wine daily to each
man, variation of food as often as practical
| BILE, suspension of military exercises, walk
for exercise from 8 to 7.30 a. IN. each alternate
day, and music morning and evening in bar
racks yard, frequent washing of rooms and
| halls with a solution of picnic acid. The
| stewards were required to have constantly
ready tea, sugar and rum, to be administered
immediately all cases of collie; also Liquor
of Batavia to be given, twenty drops in a
! quart of water, upon the appearance of chol-
eric symptoms. Mason then proceeds to
| give an outline of what to eat and what to
avoid. Marseilles prohibited the entry into
| the city of melons, cucumbers and summer
! fruits Instructions were issued to the pub
| lie to avoid all excess, to drink as little as
| possible between meals, eat beef and nut
ton and protect the body from sudden chills,
and see that the food taken is not stale.
Daily take tepid. baths, followed by vigorous
rubbing. Mason says there is nothing more
perilous than for persons who have once left
infected atmosphere to return to it before
the peStilence is COMPLETELY suppressed