Year: 1867

vain hypothesis that they, TOO, are


caused by a stimulativs poison. 1t does


not alter the question to say that either


disease is caused by an electrical condi-


tion Of the atmosphere, for there is no


chemical change without electrical


action, and no life without electrical


conditions. The congestion in either


case comes from want of arterial force,


through the nervous system, and the


nervous congestion is the natural result;


hence, nervous and arterial stimulants


are resorted to at such times, and me-


chanical warmth and friction are used TO


assist the venous flow of blood. But


why, may be asked, is there vomiting


and diarrhea in cholera, and why have


they the serous and rice water appear


ance2 1t is because there is reUerted


action. The poison has reached the


blood, and the system through the lungs,


Preventative action has permeated the


circulation and stazis of blood forma-


tion is the consequence; hence, the


intestinal formative blood fluid


from the mesenteries is reversed, its ac-


emulation in the thoracie duet ceases,


and the nutritive fluid is turned from its


channel towards the heart and lungs


backward, as a natural result, back upon


the mucous surfaces, there being free


access from the system, the TRANSLATION


and flux is in the place of Emphatic


congestion, and with it is returned the


chyle. So long as life exists will this


exudaticn continue to be poisoned from


the arterial and venous system, or until


all the susceptive fluids are changed,


and paralysis of the intestinal muscles


will be apparent. This fux is independ-


ent Of regular peristalic action, hence


the action is as truly spasmodic as from


the poison of styrchnine. The treatment


in view of these considerations, should


be, firstly, of mild disinfectant anticep-


tics, both by inhalation and to the stom-
ach, perfect rest, the administration OF
natural nervous and arterial stimulants
as they are indicated, the elimination Of
poisoned and poisoning fluids as they


may accumulate in the mucous tracts.
Too great dependence cannot be placed
upon medicines which are slow in their
action or depend upon perfect absorption
by being carried through the genera
circulation to effect the sympathetic
system, which is entirely deranged and
paralyzed hence for this reason does
their administration become so unsatis-
factory while the paralyzed and reversed
action continues, when they become in
furious instead of beneficial. The prop
agation of cholera poison is dependent
upon fluids and decomposed matter, and
its gases and fluids in state of putrefac-
ton or change. The same condition
exists when the poison has attacked the
fluids of the system; hence, where there
are scorbutic indications, there the cases
are almost without hope. For this rea-
son are the poorly fed or the intempe'
rate more subject to its ravages. In both
cases the fluids are in depraved condi-
ton. Hence good supply of ripe veg
etables and mild fruits are not to be ex-
cluded from the diet, but their selection,
the manner of cooking (as OF all articles
of Diet, should be physiological, and
mastication should be perfect. A plenty
of time shouldsbe given to meals-they
should be regular, and the habits uni
form, without great change. Nothing
tends more to the propagation of cholera
than imperfect or vitiated food; conse-
quently stringent sanitary police should
enforce the marketing only Of wholesome
articles of diet, and especially of their
perfection in quality. The origin of
fatal epidemics have always been pre-
ceded at their source, or hastened in
their progress, by scorbutic conditions
The same has been the case with intract-
able or malignant fevers. The seasons,
in their influence upon the food, have
been unusually severe preceding their
existence The destruc ton ofvegetables
and fruits by the intense cold, causing
vegetable decomposition in cellars, has,
with the imperfect and vitiated Oondi-
tious of sach articles, and the diseased
condition of animal food, not been
alone in its influence, for blight has
always preceded, as by a law of re-
the same manifestations of
disease. The prognosis of diseases will |
also depend upon such facts Such in
iicaticus are always prophetic of the
existence of disease, and though pecu
Iiarities of climate, temperature, damp
ness or local influence may mitigate,
control, or postpone their prevalence,
general causes triH produce their effects,
whether they be electrical or physical,
and chemical ldcs are as uRerriHg IN
heir effects as the Deity himself The
of the principles of science
inderlie all pathology, hygiene or diete-
les, and disease becomes less mysterious
As knowledge takes the place of expert
nent and presumption. The sret sheet
pack is one of the most necessary ad-
uvitants to the antidofdl treatment