The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-12
DOCTORS IN EPIDEMICs.
How They Manage to Keep in GOOD
Health.
From Casselrs Magazine.

From CdsselTs Magazine.
1t has been SO often asked if medical men
have or use any prophylsctic, going so
much among infectious diseases as they DO,
and seeming to bear a charmed life. Ihey
do not use any prophylactic strictly So
called, but they do all that human nature
can to cultivate the mems sdna in coT'pore
Sano You will never fad a medical man
during epidemics-and seldom, indeed, at
any other time-maEing any mistake III
taking stimulan s. He rises early II he has
been "ail night in;n If not, he Goes not be-
grudge himself an extra hour or two in bed,
knowing the extreme value of sleep. he
knows well that good, solid, refreshing
slumber is one OF the pillars that support
hfe-one of the keystones to the arch OF ex-
istence.
Then, as a rule. the doctor has a bath
every morning; in all probability cold
sponge or shower. He does not dress as if
for a wager; well he knows that hurry of
all kinds means exc temept, and that ex-
element means temporary congestion of
the brain, and g consequent burning of and
wear of more nerve-cell power than there
is any necessity for expanding. So his
toilet is made lelsurely, and if, during tho
process, there are any worrying thoughts,
or any anxiety Obtrudes itself on his mind,
they are quickly banis1ed. Hurry and
worry claims a hundred times as many
victims every year as consumption itself.
The doctor having slept well in large,
cool, pleasant room, having bathed and
dressed, has begun his day well. Perhaps
he has turn around the garden before sit
ting down to breakfast. He will eat heartily
if he can. Mark these three last words, for
he is too wise to force nature, and SO,
she uld there be any languidness or feeble
~ hn
spare one-toaSt, eggs not over-strong tea
or coffee with probably morsel of whole
meal bread and fresh butter. When one Is
languid of a morning, strong ten may sug-
geSt itself, but the inclination TO take 1t
should be resisted; for bear this in mind, it
is stimulant, and the tannin it contains is
somewhat coustipating; well, reaction Will
follow its use, and III summer greater heat
and thirst will be felt about three hours
after. Cocoatina is less Objectionable The
fault with this, if taken too strong, is that
biliousness may follow. But sh 1uld the doc
tor feel the need of food or sustenance be-
tween breakfast and lunch, he may eat
biscuit, drink glass of milk and soda
water. or even swallow a raw egg. To con-
tinue our doctors day: While doing his
duty faithfully in times of epidemic, he will
guard against undue fatigue and all APP
proach 10 worry. When attending infec-
tious or contagious cases he will take every
reasonable precaution for his own safety.
There need be no necessity for bending too
much over a bed or inhaling unhealthy
vaporS, aud he will see to it that the rules
of disinfection are most rigidly carried out,
and that the sick-room is well ventilated,
and everything kept sweet and clean, even
to the dress of the nurse. Nor will the doc
tor expose himself to the risks of infection
when faint and hungry. IL is we'll that
every one should know this; a prevailing
epidemic seems like thief on the watch,
quietly biding bis time to spring upon and
Overpower his victim. That time comes
when tie yictim is weak and off guard. On
the one hand, then, hunger may open the
door for disease to come in, while on the
other, over-eating, by fevering the system,
simply makes a bed for the ailnent to lie
upon. Well, then, our doctor has managed
to keep his system up during all this weary
day, and he is glad to return home with an
appetite and ability to enjoy we'll
cooked and nicely-served dinner. Over
indulgence he will carefully avoid. He will
not commit the foolish error of reasoning
thus: Wine is good TO sustain the system,
therefore | will take glass or two.n No,
but if he feels that sparkling ginger ale will
suit bis palate better, why, he will take
that. In fact, the man eats and drinks TO
live. He does not regard dinner as lux
urious repast so much as a necessity. Then
if after dinner he rests in his easy chair
with book or newspaper, surely we will not
begrudge him that repose.
1t is hours yet before bedtime. He may
or may not take biscuit or glass of milk
before retiring, but if his body is heated
with the hardly-yet- fatigues Of
the day, warm bath, with cold sponge
to follow, will reduce the temperature,
equalize the circulation and induce calm,
refreshing sleep.