The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-17
FACTS ABOUT CEOLERA.
What Savannah Physicians and People
Who Have Seen II Say.

What Savannah Physicians and People
Who Have Seen 1t Say.
Talks with several physicians and people
who passed through the epidemic of 1865
bring out some interesting facts. In that
epidemic. although the disease prevailed
here for several months, the people took
very little notice Of It.
There was no quarantine and no Interrupt
tion OF commerce.. Business continued as
usual aud people came and went as they
pleased. To show how little fear there was
Of the disease, J. r. Saussy, Esq, said that
a negro died OF the disease in the basement
Of the house in which his fathers family
were living. The body was not removed
from the house until the funeral, which was
a large one. and the room was not even flu
migated afterward. The family remained
IN the house and none Of them were taken
be little more mindful Of sanitary prscau-
ttons now, however.
NOT A CHOLERA COUNTRY.
DR.. J. B. Read says this is not a cholera
country. The disease may get IN, but will
not flourish here. II 1t appears here there
will probably be good many negroes and
few white people who exercise no sanitary
precautions that will die OF IT, The disease
Is neither infectious nor contagious, In DIR.
Reds opinion. exoept by direct contact
with the vomit and exoreta of the patient.
Any person handling these oarelessly
would be likely TO contract the disease. II
can only be contracted by what goes into
the mouth and thence into the stomach, and
In no other way. On this account it is
necessary TO exeroise extreme care about
food aud drink when cholera 10 abroad.
Meats. dsh, ice and articles OF food pur-
chased at the markets and stores may have
become contaminated In some way from
the touch Of some person who has touched
tue body or cloIhing Of cholera patient.
For this reason all water should
be boiled before drinking and all
meats should be washed In hot water before
eating. Vegetables and fruit should bs
eaten very sparingly, because OF their la
bility to derange the stomach and invite an
attack Of cholera.
TENACIOUS THING.
The cholera microbe Is very tenacious Of
life and difficult 70 destroy. DIR. Read does
not regerrt carbolio acid as OF sufficient
power as a cholera disinfectant. 1t is not
biting enough. Sulphuric acid he regards
as the most reliable disinfeosant. It ia
cheap and should be used freely In case
Of danger. In case of sickness all pals and
vessels used In the sick room should contain
| sulphuric acid. It Is a valuable preventive
taken internally, diluted with water 10 a
sort OF lemonade.
When the cholera was raging in Europe
| in 1886 some Frenohman started the idea
that camphor was O sure preventive Of
| cholera, aud all over Europe people were
going around with little quilts in their
| mouths filled with oamphor, at which they
| sucked continually DIR. Read said he does
not know whether there is any virtue In
camphor as a preventive or not Il can
certainly do no harm.
DIR. Read related an incident of
the cholera in Savahnah In 1866.
There was then stationed here with the
United States troops oolored surgeon, DR..
Augusta. The doctor was the discoverer Of
one OF the cholera signs, which is known in
| medical science as the Augusta sign. When
In case of cholera by pulling down the
| lower eyelid the white Of the lower half of
| the eyeball is found TO have turned red it
may be taken as sure sign OF the fatal
( termination Of the disease. DIR. Read said
that Augusta was one of the most skillful
physicians he ever knew.