Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-07-25
CONSUL ON CHOLERA.
How the Disease II Transmitted
'' Cau.es and Preyentiyes.

How the Disease IL Transmitted
Causes and Preventives.
United States Consul Frank III. Mason
of Maiseilles has sent to the department
of state his practical conclusion concern
ing native Asiatic cholera and the best
way of preventing it, and its treatment,
derived from studies of the epidemic OF
1884 and preceding years at Marseilles.
After sketching briefly the experiences
there during the cholera epidemic since
1884, describing the varying action of
the disease manifested in different cases,
such as diarrbea, for two or three days,
followed by the disease proper, again
sudden attack, sometimes while sleeping,
in one case vomitings and purgings; in
another neither of these, Consul Mason
goes on to say: These variations were
never SO great or so perplexing to ply
siciaps as last year.
He adds: In its choice of victims,
cholera is most precise and definite.
With rare exceptions they belong to one
of the four following classes Of persons
those who live under bad hygienic con-
ditions with respect to food and lodgings;
those who are imprudent in respect to
eating, drinking and exposure, those
weakened and debilitated by alcoholic
excess. and those who suffer from
chronic digestive weakness or deraDge-
ment.
Among the imprudences which be-
come dangerous in the presence of
holera are overeating to the extent OF
producing lethargy or indigestion; drink
ing any liquid SO cold as to check the
process of digestion; eating raw veget-
ables in the form of salads, and in
general use, raw fruits unless perfectly
fresh and ripe; drinking cold water or
beer after having eaten raw fruits is
challenge to cholera which no person,
however strong and healthy, can afford
to risk. The susceptibility of drunkards
IN choleric influences is proven by
abundant evidences, among which may
be cited the sweeping fatality of the
disease whenever it attacked the inmates
of inebriate asylums. Anything in fact,
whether of temporary or chronic nature,
which impairs the vigor of the digestive
organs exposes persons thus weakened
to choleric attack.
In relation to the transmission Of
cholers, Mason says the contagion is
transmitted by inhalation of air affected
by clothing, rags, wool, etc., which have
been tainted by contact with disease
and by water. He cites the case of a
man who fed from Marseilles and was
not taken i'll until he had unfastened his
trunk, taking the contagion from clothing
therein. A servant girl went from Mar
seilles to the village of Omerques, and
after arriving there washed some of her
infected clothes in a creek which sup
plies the village with water. Not only
was the village decimated by cholera as
result, but also the territory below
through which the stream runs, while
that above escaped. Mason says the
authorities of MaReilles agree that the
disease does not transmit itself directly
from cholera patient to person in
good health, neither by contact nor in
halation. Objections and vomit of chol-
era patients usually contain the germs
of contagion which, although not i'm
mediately transmissible, often when
placed under favorable conditions quick
fy develops contagion. Clothing and
textile merchandise are far more danger.
Gus as vehicles of the contagious principle
than individuals. Choleraic poison
attacks only persons in greater or less
degree prepared for it.
Five of the most effective destroyers
of cholera germs in excretions are: So
luton of sulphate of copper in the pro-
portion of not less than two ounces to
one quart of water. Liquid chloride zinc
one and a half ounces to q quart of
water. Bicholoride of mercury I ounce
to quart of water. Bicholoride of cop.
per, two ounces to q quart of water.
Sulphuric acid, four ounces to a quart of
water. The same chemicals are used for
the disinfection of water closets, sinks
and all other seats of decay or infection.
For washing streets and drains, sulphate
of iron, 10 pounds in 220 gallons OF
water, OF liquid chloride of zinc, 20
pounds in 20 gallons have been found
most effective and practicable. Picnic
acid in the proportion of 10 pounds to
go gallons of water was largely used at
Marseilles last year, but the results were
less satisfactory than expected, some
experts even going SO far as to affirm the
picnic principle preserved rather than
DESTROYED the germs Of contagion.
The report then touches upon the
problems of caring for cholera on ship
board, in barracks, asylums, prisons, ETC.,
IS exemplified at Marseilles. AT
Vomachs there was practical exemption
from disease, attributed to required army
regimen, including wearing q broad belt
or girdle offiannel to protect the stomach
and bowels from sudden chill white
linen or cotton havelock, to be worn
during all outdoor exercises; absolute
Introduction of green fruits; use of rice
in sll soups quart of wine daily to
each man; variation of food as often as
practicable; suspension of military ex-
ercises; walk for exercise from 6 to 7:30
q. IN. each alternate day music morning
and evening in the barracks yard; fire.
quent washing of rooms and halls with
a solution OF picnic acid, stewards
required to have constantly ready tea,
~rI ~,,p, 20 10 aI,,,p,cforoI i'm,