The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-05
Its Origin and Stages, and the
Manner of Treatment.
THE GERM OF THE DISEASE.
Cieanliness the Great Preventive-Use
of Disinfectants in Dealing With
the Epidemic.
New York Times.

tue sOuTCe duu aCtiOu Oh the OlStdSc, anu
the best minds of the medical world have
grappled with the subjecs. But out OF all
this study and research very little abso-
lutte knowledge has come. Improved
methods of treatment simply have re-
suited. They know, among other things,
that cholera is produced by germ. Koch
discovered this. and the knowledge has
materially aided in making up course of
treatment. But the great stumbling block
in the way of perfect treatment is the igno-
rance regarding the character and nature
OF this germ. For several years Koch
studied the disease at its root in
India, enjoying the cooperation of the
government and special staff of highly
qualified experts. He made post-mortem
examinations ON hundreds of victims.
often performing these operations within
few moments after death ensued. When
he announced, therefore, that he had
found the bacillus, every scientist sup
posed that the greatest fight against the
terrible pest had at last been won. By
cultivating the germs artiticially in gela-
tine, 1t could readily be ascertsined what
condition was most favorable to their
propagation, and what medicines were
most effective in killing them without in
jury to the human system.
Koch's announcement that he had found
what he considered was the true germ was
hailed with delight in the medical world.
In every case where he had examined
the bowels and alimentary canal of pa
tients who had died of cholera while he re-
manned in India. Dr. Koch found form
of bacteria that at first escaped his atten-
ton among the myriads of other bacili
that abound in the intestines. Gradually,
however, he came to observe this peculiar
form, and once his notice was attracted,
he began to look for il closely, with the
result that he found it in great numbers in
every case on which he operated. The
bacillus was of a peculiar curved shape
and looked like section of a circle, with
just suspicion of thickness or head at
one end. From this shape he named it
the comma bacillus" In some instances
he found two of the baciili Joined together,
forming q shape something like the let
ter S.
He at once began to cultivate this germ
artlficially, but subsequent experiments
with it were not very satisfactory. Though
introducing it in every form into the or
gan1zation OF various animals with which
he operated, he could not produce case
of genuine Asatic cholera. After long
term of experimenting number OF emf
nent scientists who opposed his theory Of
fered to swallow any number of these
baeilli.
Koch and his followers were not dis
couraged by these attacks. however, and
large portion of the medical world still ad-
heres to the belief that the comma bacil-
lus is the genuine bacteria of cholera.
One point, however, has certainly been
gained by the Koch experiments. 1t has
been shown that the treatment employed
in cholera by the Introduction of acids
80 - -. Ill
ity the best that can be devised until the
real bacillus is found. Acids have in
every case destroyed the comma bacillus,
which, If it is not the true source of choi-
era, is at least intimately connected with
it. The acid treatment has been consider
ably strengthened, and the mortality of
the disease has certainly been lowered. All
that is positively known of the disease
now has been embraced in the following
propositions:
First--It is caused by the access OF specific
organic poison to the alrnentary canal
Second-This poison is contained primarily In
the elections OF persons afflicted with the dis
ease
Third-A process of incubation lasting from
one to three days Is required to make the poison
active in person into whose system it has en-
tered.
Fourth-water, decomposing animal or yege.
table matter, and the alkaline contents of the
alimentary canal furnish the most favorable
conditions for this incubation.
The disease as observed in this country
has been divided into four stages. The
first stage or symptom Is a painless diar-
rhea, lasting generally from one to five
days. except in acute cases, when the dis
ease at times attacks persons and carries
them off inside of few hours. The sec
ond symptom in the majority of cases is
nauseating sensation, TO lowed by violent
vomiting and an increase in the diarrhea
The ELECTIONS from both stomach and bow
els are of a fuid character and the patient
loses strength very rapidly, frequently
sinking into 4 languor. The thirst of the
afflicted person is incessant and cramps
set in in the extremities, generally the
fingers and toes. Abdominal pains are
scarcely if ut all perceptible. The voice
grows husky. the skin begins to shrivei,
and An intense perspiration breaks out in
all parts of the body. The urine is sup
pressed and the body in the region of the
abdomen seems to be atire. This stage
lasts generally from two to six hours,
though there Is q case on record where it
lasted only twenty minutes.
After this comes the third stage during
which the patient either dies or If an i'm
provement comes, he enters on the fourth
stage. or stage OF reaction" The third
stage is ushercd III with general collapse
The vomiting ceases somewhat. and the
diarrhea becomes involuntary. The pulse
becomes more and more feeble and the
skin becomes livid, and the lines of the
face undergo a complete change. This
stage lasts on an average from four to
thirty-Six hours, and if death engues the
patient generally loses consciousness lust
before dissolution. If reaction takes
place the vomiting and cramping cease,
the breathing becomes steadier, the heart
begins action again, and the patient falls
into deep sleep, during which the face is
restored TO Its original form and outline
again.
Treatment, 10 be efficacious, must be
begun at once. and it is we'll, in times
when cholera is suspected. to have a REM
edy st hand which can be used even before
the arrival OF physician, who should
be immediately summoned in all cases
that look at AL ike cholera. Opium and
its salts are among the most beneficial
remedial agents IN the early stages of the
attack. This drug may be given alone in
very small and oft-repeated doses, or il
may be combined with tannin, bismuth,
nitrate OF silver and other astringents
Inc patient should be at once put TO bed
and Kept perfectly quiet, and To satisfy the
thirst beef tea, bariey water and other
bland drinks should be given.
In the second stage the use OF opium
should be almost entirely discontinued or
gwen IN very small doses. Iced effer-
vesclng drinks will IN measure relieve
the vomiting and purging and reduce the
terrible thirst. During this stage mustard
ptasters and heating iiniments may be ap-
piled, and the body should be wrapped in
hanneis and surrounded with hot-water
bottles. ChioroioFm inhaled or choral
Will AID IN re.lavlng the cramping. If un-
der all this treatment the patient con-
TIMES 10 sink, ammonia, brandy and
other sIimuiants should be applied.