The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-28

Pittsburg, Penn, we make the
following extracts concerning the dis
ease, its prevention and proper methods
of treatment:
In "Wood's Practice of Medicine,
1856" we read that although long known
in India, the cholera first began to at
tract the attention of the medical pro-
fession generally in the year 1917. when
it broke out as an epidemic with great
violence in Bengal and then commenced
the fearful march which did not cease
until it had encircled the globe.
When DR.. Wood wrote, in. 1854, there
seemed to be great uncertainty in the
minds of the medical profession and
much diversity of opinion as to the na-
ture of the specific cause of the disease.
Even at that early date the "germ
theory" though not understood as now,
was vaguely limited at by moro than one.
On this question DR.. Wood writes,
s.some have been disposed to refer the
results to invisible animalcules" and
while admitting that many circumstances
tend to show that such theory is with
in the bounds of a reasonable proba:
bility, adds, "still it must be confessed
that the opinion is without proof; as
these animalcules have never been de-
tected.n
It has been reserved for medical
scientists of our OWL day and within the
past ten or twelve years to develop and
prove the so.called germ theory, and it
lis now generally accepted by all that the
diseases referred to by DR.. Wood,
catarrh and influenza, are also diseases
propagated entirely by distinctive germs,
which have been isolated and very
minutely described. Professor Koch, the
eminent hacter1ologist of Berlin, by his
personal experience and experiments in
India, in Egypt and elsewhere during
the epidemic of 1883 and 1884, has es-
tablished beyond serious question the
fact that cholera in its malignant form
Is also q bacterial or germ disease,
having isolated and identified the
"comma bacillus" as the peculiar germ
always existing in every case of genuine
cholera and never found under other
circumstances.
These cholera germs may exist to
limited extent in the air during periods
when the disease is epidemic, but more
generally find their way into the system
by the drinking of impure water, and
one of the best precautionary methods is
to use no water for drinking except that
which has been boiled. Spring water
and that from shallow wells should be
especially avoided.
The development of the germ theory
of this disease enables the medical pro-
fession to control It to greater extent
than formerl, and suggests many means
of prevention entirely unknown during
former epidemics. This cholera germ is
readily propagated and rapidly multi.
piled in the alimentary canal, and its
first existence is shown by diarrhea,
which should be checked at once, and if
possible by remedies which at the same
time destroy the germs of the disease;
the delay of single hour in such casea
is hazardous, since It's only in the earlier
stages of the disease that it is likely to
yield to medical treatment, and hence
the great necessity for having some re-
liable remedy always at hand for such
emergency until the services of a phyal.
clan can be secured. Hence also the
propriety of using preventive medicines,
as well as strict attention to the diet
and ordinary sanitary regulations during
a period when cholera and other infec
tious diseases are prevalent.
The germ theory having been admit
ted, it follows that the best preventative
remedy will be one which by expert
ence has proved most effective in de.
stroying those germs and one which may
be used with the utmost safety. No
other preventative remedies should be
placed in the hands of the general pub
lie.
The popular belief that brandy and
other alcoholic stimulauts are safe
guard against the dreaded disease should
be discountenanced, since it is we'll
known fact that those who are accus.
toned to the use of such stimulants are
among the first to succumb to the dis.
ease. Brandy or whisky or gin may 10
some cases be used TO give temporary
relief in the earlier stages Of the disease
when other remedies are not available
but should in no case be taken as pre-
ventive. While it is admitted that the
best medication is preventive, yet there
is room for choice in this matter and al
coholc beverages should be avoided as
far as possible during the heated term
and more especially during cholera
epidemic. 1t should also be borne IN
mind that 1T IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORT
ANCE THAT A PHYSICIAN SHOULD BE
CALLED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MO-
MENT. Household remedies, while con-
venient and indeed important to use i'm
'nediately on the appearance of the first
symptoms, should be considered simply
as a temporary expedient until profess
slonal skill can be secured.
All garbage should be burned, no filth
or decaying vegetable or animal matter
should be permitted to remain unburnt,
disinfectanss should be freely applied
whenever needed, but most of all should
closets, drains, outhouses and cellars be
carefully looked after. The cellars even
in the better class of dwellings are
fruitful sources of disease, they are
frequently damp and poorly ventilated,
and domestics are too apt to throw
decaying vegetable into some out of the
way corner. Every cellar should be