The Republican journal., 1885-06-25
Cholera.
VALUABLE CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE MAINE
BOARD OF HEALTH,

VALUABLE CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE MAINE
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Cholera. whenever it has left its Asiatic home
and overrun and prevailed in Europe, as it did
last year, has invariably, sooner or later, found
its way to our country. In view of the possi-
bl1ty of having to deal with Asiatic cholera in
our own commonwealth, the State Board of
Health thinks it is prudent to issue a circular
entitled practical Facts about Cholera Fol-
lowing is an abstract
Cholera is an infectious disease. but it is in
fections only in certain ways. 1t is not "catch-
ing as small poX and scarlet fever are under
stood to be. How can we account for this par
sdoXlcal behavior of cholera! In this way
The cholera poison exists principally in the dis
charges from the bowels aud in the vomited
matter. This eXcreted contagium Is said not to
be IN an actively poisonous condition when it
first leaves the body, but requires a little time
to go through Preventative stage during
which lis malignancy is developed. Conditions
which favor the development of the poison are
exclusion of fresh air, darkness, moisture, and
more than all else. filth conditions.
If this poison Is completely DESTROYED rs soon
as 1t leaves the alimentarv canal. there Is no
danger of the patient being source of infec-
ton to other persons. But. If the dejections
are thrown, for instance. into the privy vault.
the cholera germs find ali the favoring condi-
tions above named for their development and
increase.
Farther facts in relation to the extension of
cholera are these: Privv vaults, cesS-pols
sink drains. heaps of manure, tith-Sodden
earth, and other unclean places once contami-
mated with the cholera-germ, may remain
sources of danger for some time giving off
their poison. which, by being breathed in. may
be mixed with the saliva and be swallowed.
Articles of clothing from cholera regions.
especially if soied with the cholera eXcreta,
may carry the disease long distances.
BfreaSsHred By tie 1ct Hut choieu comes nat rrola
u mySttrtOHS eD,d'tc constitution ~ tbt atmosphere,
but that it comes, as explained above, in accord
ance with certain laws which are now well
understood Remembering this. all unneces-
sary alarm may he avoided-only that salutary
fear is desirable which shall lead each individ-
ual to avoid and remove those conditions which
favor not only cholera but typhoid fever and
other diseases.
In the absence of much needed, systematic
supervision of this mntter by the general gov
ernment, a grave responsibility rests upon
State and local authorities. Especially at ports
engaged in foreign commerce, vigilance should
be constant and action prompt. when required,
If cholera should be allowed to effect landing
the soil and the water may be contaminated
and the stamping out of the disease made
| impossible.
SPECIAL RULES.
l. Etpe.i."ce Ink odpa7,at{g J,oted Mof q t,,ra
or district tr'H q cha spit, pre- 0ira,d p,ge c,tr,
Aug biz d.d,,ace t, aioieu. Therefore the rule is
i ~ - ~ - M ~ ~ "'' '''"f
''f nuI'anves, heui4Nt n.i u'eun po>l''s "hI!H"
a,iu sese''to'i, sunSt1hces. EnplH an PRIV
~. l,i,ii, II" Itie lon ol
pool. and sink drains in thr snme wgv ypnti-
late rooms and keep the cellar dry and well
ventilated. Be sure there is no filthy soakage
into the well or other water supply.
,. Never neglect the preliminary diarrhWa.
During this first stage the disease is usually
durable.
3. II possible burn all discharges coming
from the patient, as we'll rs all soied cloths or
other articles which are not too valuable
4. If the discharges cannot be burned. do
not, upon any consideration, throw them upon
the ground or into the privy vault. Have them
passed into 4 vessel containing several times
their own bulk of saturated solution of SOL
phate of iron or of a solution of corrosive sub
Innate Il part to 1000 and then poured into ~
deep. narrow hole in the ground remote from
all buildings or water supply.
5. All soed clothes from the cholera pa
tcnt, before or after death or recovery, should
be, as soon a> possible. envclopeu in a sheet
wet with tue corrosive subimate solution, car
rieu to the laundry and boiled immediately.
6. Upon the death Of IA cholera patient, the
body should be immediately enyeloped in a
sheet wet with the corrosive sublmate soltl-
tnn, on no account to be aftcrWard opened