The Ordway new era., 1911-08-25


Of Asiatic cholera in the gov
ernment's hospitals in New
York harbor. as the result OF
infection brought from abroad.
resulted in calling to public attention
two intensely interesting discoveries
made in recent years in connection
with the disease.
The first Is that the ailment Is not
nearly ms likely to spread in centers
where 1t is not actually epidemic as
has generally been believed hereto
fore; the second is the fact that
there are persons who are cholera
carriers" accounting In many In.
stances for q longer incubation period
than the formerly accepted one. which
was from few hours to i've days.
These gains in knowledge should
have a most reassuring effect on the
public mind. 1t has been learned that
cholera ia not carried along by the
wind: and persons who have been In
the vicinity OF cholera patients do not
carry the germs Of cholera away with
them in their clothing unless such
clothing has been contaminated by in.
fected discharges from the sufferers.
The disease must be taken in
through the mouth. so that. although
extremely virulent and fatal. It Is only
infectious in the same manner in
which typhoid and some OF the other
fevers are transmissible.
The recognition OF a class Of per-
sons known as cholera carriers" has
resulted in n determination to extend
the detention Of all persons suspected
of having been in direct contact with
the disease until its presence or abb
sence can be certified to after search
ing archaeological tests. This ex.
tended detention period goes a long
way toward eliminating the danger OF
permitting the disease to gain a foot
hold within our gates.
The disease-fighting machine built
up by DR.. Alvah H. Doty. the health
officer Of the port of New York. In his
long years OF service has kept the city
and. to a large extent. the entire
country remarkably free from import
ed contagion.
Asiatic cholera. a special irritant
poison. which acts upon the CASTRO
intestinal mucous membrane. is re-
garded by some as a contagious dis
ease which progressively loses its
virulent qualities. 1t is a native of
Hindustan thought to consist of GER
tain microscopic germs which. on be-
ing received into the system. propa-
gate their kind. cause an intestinal
fux and destroy the epithelium. It
Is believed by many that these minute
bodies are products OF the rice plants
on the banks Of the Ganges.
Rapid depression of all the mental
and physical faculties is an early
symptom Of most cases Of cholera.
The senses are irritable. the head
aches and is confused, there is a dis.
inclination to sleep. the limbs totter
under the weight Of the body, the
pulse is frequent and feeble and the
skin ia cool and bedewed with per.
spiration. AS the attack advances the
patient falls into a dull. listless and
motionless state due to the exhaus-
ton Of all the faculties OF the mind
and body. Blood accumulates and
stagnates In the veins. giving to the
hands and feet. nose and limb6 a
blush. leaden or violet tint like that
of a cyanotic child.
The cause Of cholera is unknown
A high atmospheric temperature is
everywhere associated with its preva-
lence and It always attains its great
est intensity during the hot months
Of the year. 1t Is most apt to be Sc
we're when excessively dry weather
follows a wet period. Some physicians
have thought cholera poison to be
OF an aerial nature. but its diffusion
has no relation whatever to the We
locity or the direction Of the wind.
Its progress has never exceeded that
q, a man ON land or water. nor has II