St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-10
CHOLERAFACTS.

DR.. RUIZ, a distinguished Spanish physi-
clan who has been active in his attentions
to the cholera sufferers during the recent
visitation of the plague in Mureia, says
that the cholera germs seem to lose their
vitality by long exposure, and it Is noticed
that the cholera is less virulent in proper
ton to the distance from the original source
of Infection. About 10 per cent of those
who recover from cholera take typhus fever.
But this is only part of the tendency al
ways shown by cholera TO degenerate into
other andless fatal diseases. These typhus
cases are generally mild and but few die
from the fever. He says that there are so
per cent. more deaths among women from
cholera than among men. When one menu
Der of a household is attacked the disease
is almost certain to run through the entire
family. DR.. RUIZ is confident that the
germ of cholera, which is the bacillus
virgola, can be carried alive in let
tiers or clothing for fifteen or twenty
days. DR.. COSTELLO TAPICo says that
he knew a case where cholera germs were
dormant for six yea IS in a package of cloth
ng and the servants who opened the trunk
all died suddenly with all the symptoms of
true cholera. DR.. TAPICo also says that
cholera germs show decided affinity for hui
man lips; therefore, fruit from infected dis
tricts is dangerous. The orange especially,
or any fruit which, like it, is washed with
water before shipm ent, is very likely to
transmit the germs. To touch the body of
cholera patient and afterward accidentally
to touch ones own lips with the same hand
would probably cause cholera to the per-
son so doing. The epidemic attacks no
special trade, but poverty always. Even
street sweepers are not specially liable to
an attack.
The Madrid correspondent of the New
York Herald, who has been giving special
attention TO an investigation of the plague
and gathering facts in relation to the dis
ease, gives the following summary: ''The
disease seems to follow the course of rivers.
1t spreads always below the place first in
fected. Thus, the head waters of the
Tagus being now infected, the cholera may
be expected TO pass all guarantees and
enter Portugal. Cholera spreads rapidly with
great virulence along the course of a river.
BY land its spread is uncertain and slow,
depending largely on personal contact be.
tween the inhabitants of neighboring towns.
A man of average health, not given to ex-
eesses, using only boiled water for even
such purposes as brushing the teeth. who
eats no green, uncOoked food. need not feal
the cholera in the least. Anything which
reduces vitality, even temporarily, may Al
once lead to cholera. Women have morS
to fear from cholera, but with proper pre-
cautions there is little danger. Extreme
fear of the disease often leads to an attach
of cholera. DIR. FERRAN's incubation will
not play an important part in this epidemic
however great its part may be in the mex
one. Cholera germs live for an uncertain
period. They are known TO live for month.
and yet retain sufficient vitality to cause
cholera in persons exposed to them. Grea
care regarding infected letters and clothing
is therefore necessary. Valencia oranges
and Malaga raisins of this years crop MAY
carry cholera germs TO consumers even
in distant countries. They are, therefore
among the things not to eat"