The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-09-23

scientists OF our OWL day aud within tho
past ten or twelve years to develop and
prove the so. called germ theory, ard it
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 bacteriologist OF Berlin, by his
personal experience and experiments in
India, in Egypt aud elsewhere during
the epidemic of 1883 and 1884, has es.
tablished beyond serious question the
fact that cholera In its malignant form
IL also bacterial or germ disease,
having isolated and identified the
"comma bacillus" as the peculiar germ
always existing in every case Of genuine
cholers and never found under other
circumstances.
These cholera germs may exist to "a
limited extent in tho air during periods
when the disease Is epidemic, but moro
generally find their way into the system
by tnU drinking or impure water, aud
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 bo
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 a diarrhGl,
which should be checked at once, and il
possible by remedies which at the same
time destroy the germs Of the disease !;
the delay of single hour in such cases
is hazardous, since it is only in the earlier
stages of the disease that it is likely to
| yield to medical treatment, aud hence
the great necessity for having some re-
liable remedy always ut hand for such
emergency until the services Of physl-
clan can be secured. Hence also the
propriety Of using preventive medicines,
as we'll as a strict attention to the diet
and ordinary sanitary regulations during
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. NJ
other preventative remedies should bt
placed in the hands OF the general pub
lie.
The popular belief that brandy ant
other alcoho'ic sunulGnts arc safe
guard against the dreaded disease should
be discountenanced, since it is a 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 in
some cases be used to give temporary
Telief In the earlier stages of the disc ase
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
coholic beverages should be avoided as
far as possible during the heated term
and more especially during a cholera
epidemic. It should also be borne In
mind that 1T IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORT.
ANCE THAT PHYSICIAN SHOULD BE
CALLED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MO.
MEST. 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 temporary expedient until profes.
sional skill can be secured.
All garbage should be burned, no filth
or decaying vegetable or anirn.! matter
should be permitted to remain unburnt,
disinf >uld 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 ventilatol,
and domestics arc too apt to throw
decaying vegetable into some out OF the
way corner. Every cellar should be
thoroughly cleaned and white-washed
and il not freely ventilated immediate
steps should be taxed loi the fullest
circulation of pure air through every
part; quick-lilne, copperas, choloride OF
Ume or snma rotiao nf aaphnlic acid