Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-09-21
-.
Home Health
| Club
By DAVID q. REEDER. PA. D.. ND.
| La Porte, Ind.


Now that summer is about to begin, it
Is wise to prepare for those diseases or
disorders which usually aflict the peo-
pie during that season. 1t is probable
that cholera is about as greatly dreaded
as any of the summer diseases, but by
the simple knowledge that has been
taught by osteopathy, one may feel rea-
sonably safe from 1t at any time, as the
treatment Is practical and easily given.
Cholera is an acute, specific, infectious
disease, occurring epidemically, gener-
ally, and is characterized by violent
purging Of a peculiar watery fluid, to-
gether with persistent vomiting of
similar fluid, accompanied by extreme
ly severe muscular cramps. The lethal
tendency is most prominent in the
nervous system, complete collapse oc-
curing. and in some cases, subsequent
death. This disease is attributed to
bacilli by the majority Of the profession,
there existing during its presence what
is known as the comma bacillus of Koch.
| take the same stand regarding this
case of bugology that l do regarding
all the Others-that the germ is a result
of the disease, and not its cause.
| do admit, however, that the germ is
infectious and that the disease is fire.
quently transmitted in this manner
About the only way in which cholera
IS infectious is through the stools, these
Injecting the drinking water. Now, this
I.atement may seem preposterous at
Crst, but it is true.
1t will be remembered that the par
ticular sections of the United States
which have been visited by this dread
disease have all been located in the
south. While this may not on first
thought seem significant, yet it is sub
stantial evidence in proof of the asser-
ton that the means OF infection are
through the stools into the drinking
water
In the south, particularly until re-
Gently. the sewerage has not been like
that of the north In the north the
sewerage is drained off a suitable dis
tance from the cities in subterranean
waterways, constructed On different
plans, and being, in a very commend
able degree, sanitary-in fact, where
they are kept in order they are perfectly
so. But in the south things were-and
are in some instances even yet-decided-
ly different. The sewerage was all
drained off in open bitches, which per-
mitted the excretions from the body.
directed through this channel, to pene-
trate, to certain degree, the soil, and
thus impregnate the water. 1t is thus
seen that infection takes place in this
manner.
In coping with this disease, it is nee
essary to take into consideration the
element Of fear, which is very impor-
tant factor. This brings out some very
interesting facts. The entire alimen-
tary system, including the colon, is
controlled by the same nerve plexus
which governs the emotional nature.
This may not seem to be particularly
significant to those who have not given
the matter considerable thought. will
explain further.
When a person becomes badly fright
ened it is an established fact that they |
frequently vomit or evacuate the colon,
possibly both. This can be verified by
simply watching a horse when he be-
comes frightened; nine times out Of
ten the colon is evacuated. Now that |
have stated the facts, the next thing |
will be to give the reason therefor
stated above that the same nerve |
plexus which controlled the action of |
the alimentary canal also was the seat |
of emotions Thus the same nerves
which are acted upon to produce fright |
ian emotion) also govern the ali
mentary canal.
During fright, the first thing which |
these nerves do is to prepare for the
attack. AS they desire to |
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