Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-07-24

contagious principle than individals.
This choleraic poison attacks only per-
sons who are in greater or less degree
prepared for its inception, and in pro-
portion to the degree of this receptive
condition it produces cholera or choler-
inc. In other words, cholera is not di-
rectly contagious like scarlatina, small
pox or diptheria, but disease produc-
ing germ, which, in order to become
contagious, requires to pass through q
certain process of development.
ANTIsEPTICs.
AS this germ is contained in the de-
jectons and vomited matter Of cholera
patients, it is the first importance TO i'm
mediately neutral!Ze such matter by
contact with powerful antiseptics. For
this purpose, the five antiseptics which
have been found most effective are: So
luton of sulphate of copper, in the pro-
portion of not less than two ounces TO a
quart of water; chloride of zinc, one
and one-half ounce to a quart of water !;
6ichloride of mercury, one-siXth ounce
to quart of water; bichloride of cop
per, two ounces to quart of water :;
sulphuric acid, four ounces to quart
of water.
The same chemicals are used for the
distinctions of water closets, sinks and
| all other seats of decay or infection. For
washing streets and drains, sulphate Of
iron, 10 pounds in 900 gallons of water,
or the liquid chloride of zinc, 20 pounds
in 800 gallons, have been found most
effective and practicable.
CODE OF INSTRUCTIONS.
The code of instructions issued by the
health authorities for the guidance of
all classes embodied the following:
Avoid all excess, whether of eating or
drinking; drink as little as possible Of
anything between meals; avoid the use
of raw fruits and vegetables; drink min
eral or boiled water, mixed with small
proportion of wine; avoid exposure to
the chill air of morning and evening !;
wear wide belt or girdle Of flannel !;
beef and mutton are the best meats in
time Of cholera, and fresh fish should be
used with extreme caution; all stale
vegetables and fruits should be rigidly
prohibited.
Any sudden change of temperature,
particularly the cooling of the body af-
ter violent exercise or exposure to heat,
should be carefully avoided. Accord
ingly woolen clothing for every part of
the body is preferable to cotton or linen.
While the strictest personal cleanliness
is essential, it is not considered advisa-
bic for any but persons in full physical
vigor and accustomed to regular cold
baths to continue them in presence of
cholera. Daily tepid baths taken with
careful reference to hours of meals are
advised. Such baths should always be
followed by vigorous rubbing of the
skin and the usual measures to restore
vigorous and healthy circulation.
DANGER OF GIVING AWAY TO TERROR.
| The actual dangers of cholera cpl
demic are enormously increased and
complicated by the terror and demorali-
zation which the presence of the dread
ed malady invariable inspires. Simply
fear, Of course, does not produce chol-
era, but it often checks and deranges
the vital functions to degree which
may weaken the patient and greatly in
crease his susceptibility to choleraic in
fluences. Beyond question, it is best for
those who feel this terror, and for all
others who can conveniently do so to
leave a city infected with cholera as
quickly as possible after the epidemic is
declared.
The fact should be urged that during &
an epidemic public apprehension is al
ways out of all proportion to the real
danger, and that a person with a cool
head and good digestion, who lives care
fully, sleeps regularly, and avoids the
every day imprudences which are al
ways more or less injurious, can live
amidst cholera patients indefinitely
without serious danger. During the
whole last years epidemic not single
nurse of the Pharo Hospital, nor one of
the workmen at the cemetery where the
dead were buried, was stricken with
cholera.
At the close of the ordeal thousands
of persons who had remained in the city
during the entire summer found them
selves in more perfect health than they
had known for years, by reason simply
of their regular, abstemious living dur
ing the months of peril. On the other
hand, a young physician, who ate hall
a dozen apricots and afterwards drank
several glasses of cold beer at noon, was
dead and buried before midnight.
Mr.. Mason also says: GAS popular
remedy for immediate use nothing ha:
been found superior to cblorodyne,
which is sold by most druggists"
GAZE M nESERTURN