The Washington times., 1894-09-16
CHOLERA MAY COME.
Physicians Recommend Precautionary
Measures.
EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION.
DR.. Walker, the Distinguished Specialist
Offers a Number of Valuable
Suggestions

Reports of the rapid spread of cholera in
foreign countries indicate that there is danger
of the epidemic reaching America For the
purpose OF obtaining the best medical opinion
as TO the probable consequences, should the
disease gain foOthold il this country, re-
porters were assigned to interview the lead
ing physicians OF Washington on the subject,
the intention being TO select the best Of the
statements thus obtained and publish it for
the benefit OF the community.
Competent judges have decided that the re-
marks of Dr. Il. A. Walker the well-knOwn az
pert in the treatment Of diseases Of the brain
and nervous system, show a more perfect ia
miliarity with the subject than those Of any
of the other parties interviewed. He seems,
indeed, to strike the keynote Of the situation
DR.. Walker was seen IN his Office at l4ll
Pennsylvania avenue yesterday, and in reply
to the reporters Inquiries said;
1T is to be hoped that cholera will be kept
out of America. but | think the medical
authorities and the press make great mis-
take in persistenty assuring the public that
even should the disease gain a fOothOld in
this country it could be easily kept within
narrow limits. There is absolutely no author
ity for such an assertion. Indeed. the cOndi-
tions all point 10 a contrary conclusion. IL IS
pleasant 10 know that our international sani-
tary regulations and our local health orgaui-
cations are IN excellent shape and well
equipped for fighting the epidemic, but tnat
is not half so important as the preparation OF
the Individual himself Tor a successful resist
ance of the disease.
Il am no alarmist. but I don't believe in
mincing matters where the plain truth,
plainly spoken, seems to be the one thing
needful TO guide the people safely through
period of danger. Tho American nation IS
made up OF sensible, thinking people who are
not easily thrown into panic, and who don't
UN-.g 4
of security and consequent inactiOn when 1t
is OF the utmost importance that they should
realize their peril and guard against it.
''As everybody should know, the people
who are in poor health are es specially liable to
attack in times OF epidemic. In fact they
constitute SO per cent. OF the victims OF
cholera epidemics. Men and women whose
nervous systems are in sound, healthy con
dition are bomb-proof against disease Of all
kinds, and have absolutely nothing to fear
from such vIsitauoas as that which now
threatens this country.
but, unfortunately, nervous weakness IS
the growing malady OF the day. Seven out
of every ten people in the United States are
sufferers from ills having their origin IN some
arrangement of the nervous system. Many
Of them are so run down that they are in
capable of resisting the encroachments OF
disease, and they fall an easy prey TO every
kind OF physical af1iiction thar comes their
way, whether in epidemic form or not How
can it be claimed, then. that there is no dan
ger OF cholera spreading to a most alarming
extent should il come to this country Impress
upon people the importance Of taxing the
necessary steps to put themselves in sound
bodily health If you would DO something 10
deserya universal gratitude.
"And right mere let me say that this disease
of Reurastheuia. or nervous exhaustion.
which is so prevalent in the United states Is
4 hundred times more TO be feared, because a
hundred times worse is its results than
cholera or any other periodical epidemic Il
is condition of modern society, due 70 the
rush and worry OF business life the exactions
OF social duties the hurry OF the student to
graduate, the cramming process prevailing in
schools of all grades, the OverstraininE Of the
nerves or mental faculties IN any pursuit or
study. and sometimes 10 various forms Of
dissipation. Irregular habits sexual excesses,
etc. The great trouble Il that the general
physician too often OverIOoks this disease, or
fails 10 realize lis dangerous character and
the patient gets no relief He knows that he is
Ill: knows that he has lost his vitality: that he
has spells of dizziness and trembling; that he
does not sleep well. and rises IN the morning
tired and unrefreshed: that he suffers from
mental depression and q general sense of
weakness. languor, dUliness. and exhaustion.
with lack OF ambition and energy and disiu-
his physician probably tells him that ne IS in
no danger. As a matter Of fact ne is in
very dangerous condition. and MS only sal
vatIOn Is IN seeking cure before il Is too
late. So surely a he legeCts 10 do this, Just
so surely will his health become permanently
ami irremediably undermined. The diseases
that follow this condition as "a natural result
are paralysis, paresIs. insanity, locomotor
ataxia, epilepsy, a long list OF spinal and
brain affections. hysteria. dyspepsia. hvpo-
chondria. and so On not to mention the various
forms of neuralgia. But the patient i pecul-
iarly susceptible 10 all other diseases, because
of the impoverished condition Of his nervous
system. and readily contracts consumption,
catarrh, rheumatism, and the like.
when you consider that seven out of ten
of the American people are in this alarming
condition you will agree with me that the
malady Is infinitely worse in its ravages than
any epidemic The best way to cure disease
is TO prevent it. and the most important les
son the American people can learn is that
their best safeguard is sound nervous sys-
tenn
Dr. Walkers words should receive the con-
sideration they deserve. He is one OF the
leading specialists of the day. an acknowI-
edged authority on diseases of the brain and
nervous system, and the subject is one 10
which he has given many years Of study and
Investigation. He has been wonderfully sue
cesSiul IN the treatment OF the diseases and
conditions he describes. and has gained the
highest reputation. both in Europe and
America, especially among the thousands
whom he has saved from lives OF torture and
suffering from disease, or perhaps rescued
! from premature death.
/ Dr. Walkers elegantly furnished parlors at
/ 14I1 Pennsylvania avenue. adjoining Willard S
Hotel. are daily visited 10y hundreds Of people,
/ among them many OF our best citizens. who
/ realize the importance of ser king 4 cure for
/ their nervous ailments before they be-
| come victims of incurabIe disease. The
( doctor receives such visitors between the
! hours of 10 a. m. and 5 p. m, devoting the
rest of his time TO special appointments with
parties who particularly request them, and to
/ the handling of q very large correspondence
for he makes a specially of treating patients
at distance through the medium Of the
mails.