Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-08-28
CHOLERA EPIDEMICS
That Have Prevailed in This Country
How the Disease Develops.

That Have Prevailed in THIS country
How the Disease Develops.
New YORK, Aug. 25.-The policy OF
the health department OF this city has
been to keep 80 thoroughly organized
as to require no extra precaution 10
prevent the entrance of the disease
from foreign ports. The authorities
regard with no alarm the reports OF the
epidemic at Hamburg, Havre and Ant
werp.
The period OF incubation OF the
disease is an almost certain guarantee
of safety. Varying, as 1t does, from
twenty-four hours to three days, 1t
makes it certain that no infected per-
son can reach this country before
active symptoms have manifested them
selves. Hence, primary case is GER
tain to develope before a vessel has
REACHED QUARANTINE.
Secondary caSes-those contracted on
the vessel-often develop before the
vessel reaches port, and IL is not I'M
possible that even tertiary cases would
be discovered by the health officer.
Once the presence Of the contagion were
discovered strict quarantine measures
would OF course be adopted. The pa
tients would be isolated and the ship
fumigated. Cholera is essentially diff
ferent from many other contagious dis
eases In that infection Is possible only
when the disease germ is commuul-
Gated to the stomach of the person ex-
posed.
The mere presence of an infected per-
son in a community does not directly
endanger those In the vicinity. II the
disease germ does not somehow or other
find its way to their stomachs they run
no risk. The trouble is that there are
so many ways in which the germ may be
taken iRto the stomach. 1t may find It's
way there by means Of polluted water
or food. A person may touch his hand
to some infected object and unwittingly
CONVEY THE GERM
to his stomach when eating. There
are various other ways OF producing in
lection, and the greatest care and
thoughtiulness on the part Of those eX-
posed can place them beyond the reach
of danger.
The first and invariable symptom Of
the disease is diarrhea. The collapse
which follows it generally comes In a
day or two, but a certain diagnosis OF a
suspicious case can be made without
waiting for the appearance OF second
airy symptoms. 10 the present situation
the health officer would doubtless view
with suspicion any passenger on ship
hsiling from an infected port who had
exhibited the first symptoms OF the dis
ease. Any person so ailing would nat
urall7 be quarantined, at least until q
microscopical examination had deter
mined whether the cholera germ was
present in his system.
The germ is readily recognizable and
the microscope is bound TO discover it II
it Is
PRESENT IN THE SYSTEM.
II the bacteriological test failed to
disclose the presence OF the cholera
germ the passenger would of course be
discharged.
Cholera almost always follows In the
wake OF war, famine or other misfor-
tunes which debilitate the people. A
healthy stomach will often resist the
noxious influence Of the disease germ
which readily attacks the debilitated
stomach. It's very possible that the
present epidemic in Russia Is direct
result OF the recent famine and suffer
ing in that country.
In time OF possible danger from chol-
era people should observe unusual reg
ularity Of habits. When the circum-
stances are sufficiently threatening
water should be boiled and food should
be served hot. This precaution might
kill germs which had somehow infected
the water and provisions. Frequent
washing OF the hands is desirable, par
ticularly before eating, in order to pre-
vent the possibility Of conveying the
germs.
CHOLERA FIRST APPEARED
in North America in 1882 in connection
with the arrival OF large numbers Of
enigrants in Canada. At that time
there was no proper system Of quaran-
tine on the 81. Lawrence; no isolation
of persons from ships infected with
Sholera was attempted. and those Who
were apparently well were allowed to
proceed at ones on. their journey Chol-
era sppsasSd 1t Kensreal. Quebec sne