Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1876 — Notions Concerning the Cholera. [ARTICLE]

Notions Concerning the Cholera.

The causes of fever and cholera are by no me&ns so enigmatical as has been supposed. In fact, If proper care were exercised. the greater part of the deaths arising from these diseases would not—could not —occur. It is certainly well known that the places in which there Is most fever are pretty sure to be those first attacked by cholera; and wherever there are cesspools, open filthy drains and ditches, foal watercourses of any description, or collections of offensive and decaying substances, fever will inevitably be found carrying on its fatal work, indiscriminately, among men, women (md children. Thus, when the cholera last visited England, the places where it broke out, in the different towns, were always those in which damp and filth had already enervated the population, and so rendered it more likely that they should be attacked by the first contagious disease. It appears, too, by one of the official reports, that, in a certain district in the eastern part of London, where fever was raging, a lodg-ing-house, standing in the infected neighborhood, and full of occupants, being kept properly cleaned and ventilated, or aired, had not a single case of fever during the whole period of its prevalence. The physician who attended the patients in the district referred to, when asked if he thought that typhus could be put an end to, replied without any hesitation in the affirmative, saying: “ I believe that it might be as completely put -an end to in houses, villages and towns, as the ague ■■has-been_in_many parts of the country where it usually prevailed? 1 • It scarcely need be remarked, that, universally, dirt is one of the prime things upon which epidemics feed. Indeed, disease seems to go up and down the land,) looking out for all the filthy localities, and, as surely as it discovers them, it punishes and often sweeps from existence those who thus live in defiance of the laws of nature and health. Most diseases being afraid of cleanliness and pure air, these latter should always be provided for, one of the chief means of cleanliness being, of course, a plentiful and constant supply of water: and, therefore, iVmay be set down as an absolute rule, that, where people use sufficient water to keep themselves and their premises unvaryingly clean, and atthe same time take care to breathe pure air, they are but little liable to attacks of fiver and cholera. The word cholera dbmeS from two Greek words, which mean flow of bile, or bile flux; the diseasfeloidefilups exhibits itself, however, in a way not at all in accordance with the name. Formerly, it was believed that the'most powerful predisposition to this disease consisted in improper or deficient food, and that,.for this reason, its victims are chiefly found among the poorer classes; but investigation has abundantly shown that a far more powerful predisposer is the habitual respiration of an impure atmosphere; that the highest degree pf susceptibility is produced where both these conditions are combined —that is, where people live irregularly, or on unsuitable (jiet, and at the same time filthily; and that, in places in which a great degree of cleanliness is maintained, the poor as well as the rich enjoy decided exemption. In a word, don’t shut the fresh air out of the house, don’t eat badly cooked or improper food; avoid unnecessary exposure to damp and cold, and keep rigidly clean.

One of the peculiar characteristics of this disease is that it sets at defiance, to a great degree, the ordinary resources of medical art and science, as is so fully proved by the fact that, under the most favorable circumstances, of those whom it attacks, there perish nearly two out of seven, and under the most unfavorable circumstances, nine out of ten; that nevertheless, there can be no doubt that individvuals are saved who would otherwise have perished on their being placed under improved conditions of living and judicious medical treatment; and that, although the removal to cholera hospitals —unless at a very early period of the attack, and unless the situation of the hospital happen to be highly advantageous—is proved by experience to be injurious rather than beneficial. Yet, among the classes most subject to this scourge, there must necessarily be individuals iu a state of such utter destitution as to render some kind of public remedial provision absolutely essential. It is to be observed that cholera, being an affection of the nerves, disturbs violently all those parts and functions with which the influence of nerves is the superintending agent. This affection of the nerves being of a spasmodic or crampy kind, contraction is the necessary consequence of it. Thus, the coming on of an attack of cholera is preceded by spasms or cramps, which affect more or less every part of the body. The motion of the blood becomes irregular, violent purging and sickness take place, accompanied by extreme coldness, and the chief thing to be done is to restore warmth and promote perspiration. For this purpose, some have recommended the use of a couple handfuls of bran, boiled rapidly In very little water in a copper or large saucepan or earthen vessel, over a brisk; Are, then drain through a flannel, and texythtckly scattered all over the chest and stomach of the patient, sides and all; this is retained in its place by bringing the two sides of the blanket, on which the patient is lying, over the stomach, and fastening them tightly in that position—a process producing, in very few minutes, the moat copious apid warm perspiration. In rejpird 1b clothing, it Nils always been deemed advisable to wear a large piece of flannel next to the akin, over the stomach —not because there is any specific or mysterious virtue in this practice, but because that part of the body, more especially, should lie kept waqn.; in fact, There bowel complaints occur from cold affecting the Stomach, than is generally considered. Woolen, socks should be worn on tbe feet, and, when by any chance the feet get wet, to walking, they should immediately be stripped of their coverings and robbed by the fire. Then, too, the sum total of the clothes worn out of doors should be so arranged that, to cold weather, a good portion of them may be thrown off when in doors. At night, in cholera times, no one

should feel safe In being out without wearing something additional round the neck; and, when in bed, care should be taken to have the feet rather too warm than at all cold. It is to be borne in mind that the attack frequently comes on at night; if, therefore, the surface of the stomach feels cold to the touch, on getting into bed or waking in the night, hot cloths or flannels should at once be applied, or, in default of these, brisk friction. l’he cleanliness of every part of the body should be attended to with more than usual care, and, in so doing, nothing but warm water should be used. The body-linen, and also that of the bed, should be frequently changed. Another important fact to be considered is this, namely, that in those places in which the cholera has prevailed badly before, it is most likely to prevail again, and these places should therefore be particularly prepared against its approach. Where a situation is low and damp, the disease may be expected; where a locality, besides being low and damp, has its atmosphere contaminated by animal or vegetable refuse matter, the probability will be still greater; and, where both these conditions exist, and people live in want of food and clothing, there will be absolutely no safety from the disease; but, in low and undrained situations—or, still worse, localities in which othei*places pour their filth by means of sewers—where the occupants are wretched and intemperate, and have neither the means nor the sense to attend to the cleanliness of their own persons, and the purity and due ventilation of their houses, there is notliingtopreventthe malady flourishing in its worst form.

Another point, of much weight, is that after the disease has passed, equally precautionary measures, or preventive machinery, may profitably be kept up, with of course suitable modifications; for the same circumstances, substantially, which keep off cholera keep off other maladies. It is hardly saying too much, indeed, that a great proportion of the people who die of cholera would most probably have died, prematurely, from some other disease, had the cholera not made its appearance. In places where typhus-fever, and scarletfever, and erysipelas, and a general disposition to other complaints, notedly prevail, cholera will also exhibit its preference, as experience abundantly shows. A simple rule is, that everybody who wishes to avoid cholera must keep himself, in all respects, as well as possible. Some—indeed, many persons—are ill at ease unless their bowels are in an excited or irritated condition; while, in reality, a fair degree of constipation, orcostiveness, is not only consistent with health, but even an evidence of it. A person is not quite well, wtien he Is suffering from any degree of relaxation. Tfie latter may arise, for example, from eating to# much sometimes —and a person is not in health when he eats too much. If a person wbrks, that is, does a fair amount of labor with his head and limbs, and eats just enough—lt is certainly proper that he . should have quite enough of good, solid food—his bowels will not be relaxed. If 'is proper to eat good, nutritious food, no matter how plain, and plenty of it ; and it is proper to do a fair amount of work, or ■ take a fair amount of exercise. The clothmg should be warm and comfortable — comfort should be the standard in respect •tp bodily coverings. The feet should be put in h6t water, if they become cold, and kept tliere till thoroughly warmed through. —St. Louis Republican.