, 1885-04-21

Il IL called the comma bacillus from its
slightly curved or bent shape. II we have
cholera In the United States the present sum
mer this is the demon that will be found in
our insides. But whence he comes, or why.
or why he leaves us after n time, are mys-
teries past the ken Of mortal science. Medi
cal wisdom knows practically nothing OF
cholera, though the diseaso is hundreds Of
years older than the Christian religion itself.
In the oldest Sanscrit writings It Is nc
curntely described. Yet in spite OF this I'M
doubted proof Of It's existence in the hoary
ages, IL never appeared in Europe till 1850.
Tint is another curious fact II nlways cx-
lists in India, in the province Of Lower BEN
gnl. Yet even In India It only occasionally
cconies epidemic. In 1890 1t Travelled te
Europe by way Of Russin, coming down
through Poland. Increased intorcourss
among men between Europe and Asia
brought increase Of this pestilence. II fol-
lowed the steamship in close company. II
has never been known, away from It's home
in India, to appear at a place hat had not
been In communication with an infected To-
cality. Mountainous regions, and towns
built upon high, hard ground, escape It's
ravnges. Another fact that some scientific
person thinks he has observed Is TINT cholera
Is not so apt 10 attack districts subject to
malaria and agues- II Is worse in towns
built upon n light, porous soil, through which
air and water pass easily. II may DO oh
served, by the way, that there Is also an ngue
germ, "A malaria bacillus IL Is not comfort
able 10 wake up In the night and remember
that whether sick or well, alive or dead. we
are swarming inside and out with these mi
croscropic monsters, but we must accept
the fact. Science Is science. 1t Is true there
nnc more things II cannot find out than there
are that II can find out, but we must take
such facts rs We can get for ccrtain and BE-
thankful.
Science has been more successful in the nv.
gicnic aspect OF the cholera pestilence. There,
at least, VIC have some certain ground. As
10 the prevention Of cholera an eminent au-
thority puts it in this language: ''Sanitatel
s~anitatel sanitatef' In the plain phrase Of
the pcopl@thnnk heaven we arc permitted
still to use il occasionally Clean clenni
clcanl Kitchen and house slops and domos-
tic refuse thrown upon the ground in the vi
cinity 81 a dwelling constitute n SOL on which
the cholera bacillus hattens and grows fierce
and multiplies in hosts innumerahle. IL fat
tens on filth. The demon Is in dirt. Scrub
the floor, for instance, of any ordinary room
with the clennest water. Afterwards take n
drop of the water that has been thus used,
and inject it into the veins of n Guinea pig.
II VIII kin him. This Is the winter that too
often II Is the custom to pitch out of
the kitchen door or upon the ground
near the house. Stop It. The water is
full OF disease germs. Another point
Is 10 he remembered. Tho prevailing
winds In this country are from the west
Kitchen REFUSE aud slops thrown upon the
west side OF "A dwelling are more apt 10 re
turn aud enter the doors and windows In the
form OF disease than il thrown in other dire
tons. Scrub, clean and disinfect tyeiy
closet and cellar with concentrated I've, o.
something else just as good. Whitewash
thoroughly cellars, hen houses and every
other place that can be whitewashed. Rake
awny rubbish, ventilaie and let the sunlight
and air into all corners and ~crnnnics. Battle
your body and change your clothing often.
Eat healthfnl food, and live regularly.
Finally, keep your Conscience clear, and
don't become scared, no matter what hap
pens. Cholera deaths have come about from
pure scare-fcar. We may or may not have
cholera In the United States this snmmer, but
In any case don't lose your head. In cpl.
denies there are always those who move
about in the midst of them, bravely facing
them, doing what needs to be done, and never
once taking the disease. They seem 10 bear
charmed lives. 1t is their strong fcarlessness
more thnn anything else that saves them.