The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-30
REMEDY FOR CHOLERA.
A Philadelphia Scientist Discovers Germ
eide That Kills the Comma Spirfilum.

A Philadelphia Scientist Discovers . Germi-
eide That Kills the Comma Spiriilum-
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. ga oofimunica-
ton appears in the current issue OF the
Medical News. of this city. by David ID.
Stewart, clinical lecturer on medicine in
the Jefferson Medical College, the impor-
tance of which cannot be overestimated. if
the claims of the Doctor and the result of
laboratory experiments are substantiated
by experimentso on man. and it would appear
from the facts advanced that these
claims are in fair way to be re-
allied. The cause of cholera has been
proved to be a micro organism. the comma
spirillum of Koch. This germ has its scat
In the lower part of the small bowel. Any
remedy that has q prompt lethal effect on
this germ in doses less than sufficient to in.
jure the person takIng,t. that can be car
ried to this part unchanged. there to exert
Its effect, would probably invariably cure
cholera If used in time. Various drugs
have been suggested as specifics
but none have before fulfilled
these conditions. From several years Ia
vorable experience with hydronapthol. y
benZol derivative. in bacterial intestinal
affections. Dr. Stewart reasoned that it
of the conditions. 1t was o powerful
antiseptlc. quite insolu ble harmless even
in very large doses. and. moreover. was re-
lated to oarbolic acid, to which cholera
germs are especially susceptible. DR.. Stew.
art. therefore. hao experiments instituted
in the laboratory OF hygiene of the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania to ascertain the
effect of bydronapbthoI on pure cultures of
the comma spirlllnm. These experiments
demonstrated beyond question that pro-
"a
sand has an undoubted inhibItlng Of
feet on the development of the comma
spirillum, and that u proportion of about
one to two thousand equal parts aqueous
solution and culture mediuml exerted a
prompt Rermicidal action. AS one part to
seven thousand equals about grain to the
pint. or TO the avoridupois pound. and as
the contents,of the small intestine. when
the latter, IN it's entire length. Is thor
oughly distended, cannot amount to more
than nine or ten pints. IL would follow that
under anv condition. but ten grams Of
bydronaphthol, if in solution. wOuld be re-
quired 10 render the entire small Intestine
antiseptic against the comma spirillum,
prevent it's development, while about forty
grams. under similar conditions, would
disiniect the intestine, promptly killing
any spirilla present.
As prophy Tactic against cholera when,
from exposure. the disease seems imminent.
bydionaphthol should be taken in doses
of from eight to ten grains four times daily
for three or four days. and subsequently in
from tive TO eight-gra doses, with the
same frequency. This amount will proba-
bly, at once exert an antlseptlc effect. and
at the expiration of twenty-four hours be
germicidal. In early cholersic diarrhea it
should be used In quantities OF ten grains
hourly. or even half hourly, until from one
tn two drama have been taken. Here il
may be and indeed, by choice, should be-.
com blned with an opiate.