The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-24
FACTS ABOUT CHOLERA.
No Doubt that the Disease Will Appear-How
1t Is Produced and How to Avoid 1t.

1t Is Produced and How to Avoid 1t.
New York Mail and Express.
Dr. Theo. Walser, who was in charge of the
Emigrant Hospital on Wards island and the
epidemic in this country, his term of Office in
these institutions continuing from 1851 to
1858, and who was deputy health officer of
the port of New York from 1856 to 1865, is
regarded as one of the best authorities in this
country on the subject of cholera having
Doctor is now health officer of New Brighton,
S. ]. He was visited at his home yesterday and
asked his opinion regarding the coming of
cholera to this country and the best mode of
fighting the spread of the disease. He said:
II have no doubt about its coming here this
summer. 1t is already appearing again in
France and look for it here by June at the
latest. Its visitation in America has, in it's
westward progress, invariably followed its prev
alence In Europe the preceding year, and to an
tcipate it here, therefore, is only looking for a
repetition of its own history An efficient and
well-organized quarantine system may prevent
it's introduction, but should the disease,
through neglect and malfeasance of the
officials. be brought to our shores a gen
eral panic would probably be the first result.
In this emergency our State board is our only
safeguard, informed by the respective town off
GERS of the existence of every and all cases, it
should prohibit the publication of any report not
authorized by il, and should take such measures
warrant, at the same time employing its con-
trolling power to stem the extension and prog
ress of the disease. But even this will be USE
less, unless every city and village assumes a
watchful care over its own sanitary interests
''Hew does the disease spread? asked the re-
porter.
''In cholera we have in the sick the carriers
and disseminators of the disease Though per-
sonally it is not contagious, it is nevertheless
infectious. A sanitary Gordon to keep out the
disease is useless, as it is impossible to cut off
all intercourse of New York with the outside
world. Therefore, we must make provision for
its occurrence wherever it may be found, and
not only for the patient already blue and shriv-
eled but for the sufferer in the first stage of the
disease"
'But how can this be done2'
''The elected germ of the disease, the mi
crobi' Of DR.. Koch. must be destroyed and as
copperas tsulphate of iron and suiphurc acid) is
the cheapest and most effectual disinfectant
its universal and constant use is the best
means to accomplish that result If the
people once understand that the disease is not
personally contagious, and that the patient
himself is perfectly harmless, provided there
is thorough disiIfection, then there will DE no
difficulty in teaching them the use of satu-
rated solution of the salt the acid, and to en-
ploy bi-chleride for the disinfection of soiled
linen. These things are very important, and
when done the first step toward protection ard
security are taken. Indeed not only the first
STEP but, might also say perfect immunity
from an epidemic is secured.
DIR Koch certainly merits our esteem for
his demonstration of the characteristic pres
ence of the mcrobI' in every cholera case
but these 'microbT are only the larvae from
which is developed the yet unknown me-
dunn which produces the disease germ with
that myriadic profusion peculiar to the lowest
organizations The question of how this is in
troduced into the system is as yet answered only
by experience, but that neither the lungs nor
the pores of the skin have any agency IL the
matter, and that the stomach is the only medi-
um, are now conceded by all who have made the
disease their study"
''Then how is it introduced2"
by drinking water polluted by passing
through substances containing these unknown
media developed from the microbi and by the
ova of this unknown medium. Thus every I'M
healthy or possibly contaminated well should be
closed. In food the ova are too minute to be
subject to demonstration. and are liable to dis
enfection through heat therefore, no food nor
milk should be taken unless warm and properly
cooked