The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-17

LIABLE TO ATTACK-IIow
TRANSMITTED.

United States Consul Frank ii Ma.
son of Marseilles has sent TO the De
partment of State the following con-
cerning Asiatic cholera, derived from
studies of the epidemic of 1884 and
preceding years in Marseilles. Consul
Mason says
Leaving aside all merely abstract
theories concerning the origin of the
disease or its precise point of attack
upon the system, its methods of at
tack, differ greatly in neighboring
cases during the same epidemic. Some
times preceded by diarrhGa, the cholera
develops only after several days of such
premonitery Illness. Again it strikes the
victim while asleep after day of APP
parently perfect health In one case il
produces profuse vomitings and de-
jections, in another reither of these
symptoms. One victim is stricken
with intense chills. suppression Of
urine, loss Of voice, and violent cramps,
while another feels only painful com
preston of the chest. Here a case be-
gins with violent symptoms, which
soon yield to treatment there another
which, from mild and nearly painless
beginning, proceeds irresistibly to com
plications which result in death. In no
previous epidemics az Marseiles were
these manifestations of the disease so
various, co complicated and perplexing
to physicians as during that of 1884.
In its choice of victims cholera is
most precise and definite. With rare
exceptions they belong to one of the
four following classes ofpcrsons: Those
wo live under bad hygeine conditions
in respect to food and lodgings those
who are imprudent in respect to eating,
drinking and exposure those who are
weakened and deblitated by alcoholic
excesses, and those who suffer from
chronic digestive weakness or derange-
ment.
Among the imprudences which be-
come dangerous in presence of cholera
are over eating to the extent of produc-
ing lethargy or indigestion, drinking
any liquid so cold as to check the pro-
cess of digestion, the eating of raw
vegetables in the form of salads, and
in general the use OF raw fruit is di-
rect challenge to cholera which no per-
son, however strong and healthy, can
afford to risk.
The susceptibility of drunkards to
choleraic influences is proved by abun-
dant evidence, among which may be
cited the sweeping fatality Of the dis
ease wherever it has attacked the in
mates of an inebriate asylum. Any
thing, in fact, whether of temporary
or chronic nature, which impairs the
vigor of the digestive organs, exposes
the person thus weakened to choleraic
attack.
In relation TO the transmission of
cholera Mr. Mason says that the con-
tagion is transmitted both by the inhal-
alton of air infected by clothing, rags.
wool, &c, which have been tainted by
contact with the disease, and by water.
A man in July last left one OF the most
affected quarters of Marseilles for his
native village of Vogue. He remained
there in perfect health until he opened
his trunk, which had been packed at
Marseiles, and wore a suit of clothing
it contained. Immediately thereupor
he and several olhcrpeIs sons with whom
he was living were fatally attacked,and
within twenty days "a of the G30 in,
habitants of the village had perished
To Ibis may be added the conclusive
fact that the epidemic of 1884 was
kindled in Marseles by the clothing
brought to that city in the trunk of {
young student coming from the Lycet
at Toulon.
Concerning the general question o
transmission of cholera the Consu
says that the medical authorities O.
Marseilles are united in the following
conclusion.
The disease does not transmit itsel
directly from cholera patient to aper
son in good health neither by contact
nor by inhalation. The dejections an'
vomit of a cholera patient usually con
tain the germ of contagion, which. al
though not Immediately transmissibl,
itself, yet when placed under favorable
conditions, quickly breeds and develop
the contagious principle by means o
which cholera always operates, whe,h
er through the medium of air or water
Clothing and textile merchandise ar
far more dangerous as vehicles of thi
contagious principle than individuals
This choleraic poison attacks only per
sons who are in greater or less degre
prepared for its inception, and in pro
portion to the degree of this receptiv
condition it produces cholera or cho
crime. In other words, cholera is no
directly contagious like scarlatin,
smallpox or diphtheria, but is a diseas
producing germ which, in order {
become contagious, requires to pas
through a certain process of develop
ment.
) As the germ is contained in the d,
} jections and vomited matter of choler
. patients, it is of the first Importance t
= Immediately neutralize such matter b
, contact with powerful antiseptic
For this purpose, the five ants ptiC
which have been found most effectiv
; are: Solution of sulphate of coppe
| III Nle PIopoilIOH VI hol icsS luai I"
ounces to quar-. of water Liqui
+ chloride of zinc, one and one.ha
ounces to aquart of water BichloriC
of mercury, one sixth ounce to a qual
of water. Sulphuuc acid, four ounc,
4 to quart of water. The same chem
/ calls are used for the disinfection {
water closets, sinks, and all other sea-
5 of decay or infection. For sashin
streets and drains, sulphate of iron, L
pounds in 220 gallons of water, or III
liquid chloride of zinc, 20 pounds
220 gallons, have been found most e
> fective and practical.
1t was found necessary at Marseill,
to prohibit the entry and sale of me
ons, cucumbers and of Summer fruit
and to open at various places in Il
8 city soup kitchens where the poo
could be supplied with properly cooke
food. The code of Instructions issue
@ by the health authorities for the gni,
Q ance of all classes embodied the 70
A lowing;