Page 479 | Page 480 | Page 481

Order II. – CHOLERA.

           The characteristics of this disease are a profuse discharge of a green or dark coloured and sometimes acrid fluid in large quantity, and somewhat of a bitter taste, both from the stomach and intestines, attended at the same time with painful gripings and great anxiety about the praecordia; there are cramps or spasms, particularly of the lower extremities, and great prostration of strength; there is a considerable degree of thirst, the pulse is extremely quick and weak, but the disease is seldom attended with fever, except in severe cases, and the respiration is hurried and irregular; the fluid discharge is evidently bilious, but it is bile in a very diseased state, and by no means corresponds with the healthy state of that fluid.

            This disease is generally prevalent in the months of August and September; and when it proves fatal, which it sometimes does in the course of twenty-four hours, the depression of strength becomes extreme, the pulse intermits and becomes more feeble, the extremities become cold, and the patient is seized with cold sweats, hiccough, and fainting fits.

            This disease is in general occasioned by a redundancy and acrimony of bile, exposure to very hot weather, obstructed perspiration, too free use of cold or unripe fruit, strong acrid purges or vomits, and violent passions of the mind.

            The most successful method of cure in this disease, is by first diluting the contents of the stomach and intestines with the plentiful use of water gruel, chicken broth, and similar fluids, both by the mouth and by clyster; in the advanced stage of the disease, when the pulse is weak and the extremities cold, opiates joined with aromatics may be employed with advantage, but every medicine which has a tendency either to excite vomiting or purging must be avoided. Venesection may on some occasions be requisite, and if a low depressed pulse should be found to rise in consequence, the operation may be repeated in small quantities. The warm bath, and blisters to the stomach and thighs will be useful, especially where the spasms are violent; but it is, however, to diluents and opiates that we are generally to trust for a cure. When the acrimonious humours have been in a great measure discharged, and the pains begin to abate, an infusion of toasted oat bread or of oat meal, made brown, may be taken to stop the vomiting, and the saline draught, with ten drops of laudanum in each dose, should be given every hour till the vomiting ceases; in addition to which, laudanum must be injected by way of clyster from time to time as long as the irritation at the stomach continues. A cataplasm of opium and camphor, or the anodyne balsam, should be constantly applied to the region of the stomach.

            It often happens that the violent irritation and spasms cannot be subdued without the administration of opium in excessive does. Dr. Fisher, of Beverly, relates a case of a gentleman of about sixty-five years of age, who was seized with cholera in so violent a manner, that in a few hours after the attack, every symptom indicated his speedy dissolution. As soon as practicable, sixty grains of opium were given, ten of which were returned by vomiting. The quantity retained soon removed every distressing symptom: gradually, and with difficulty, he recovered his strength. This example, however, is not introduced for the imitation of inexperienced physicians; but cases apparently desperate may occur in which from four to eight or ten grains of crude opium may be considered as a warrantable dose, and to be repeated according to the effect produced.

            In cases attended with violent cramps and spasms, it is highly probable that an infusion of the skunk cabbage, administered by way of clyster, would procure essential relief; as it cannot interfere with the use of any other medicine, it surely will be advisable to give it a fair trial in every dangerous case.

            When opium cannot be retained on the stomach, we are advised to apply it, by way of friction, over the region of the stomach and abdomen. Flannels wrung out of warm fomentations, with the addition of brandy applied to the stomach, and bathing the patient’s feet in warm water, and rubbing them with flannel cloths, are likewise to be diligently employed. In the mean time, strong wine whey or brandy and water may be given to support the patient’s strength and excite perspiration. When the violence of the attack in some measure subsided, it will be proper to direct a moderate does of rhubarb, to carry off the remainder of the bile; and it will be highly necessary to administer opiates, combined with the cinchona, columbo and chalybeates, for a length of time after the disease is gone off, and the patient should be restricted to food that is light and of easy digestion. The powder of columbo, is considered by some as extremely useful, during the whole course of this complaint. The following simple remedy for cholera morbus has appeared in various newspapers and gained a share of confidence. Take a clean cork and burn it thoroughly, when it ceases to blaze, mix it upon a plate with a little milk and water or other liquid, and repeat the dose till the disorder ceases, which it commonly does in the second or third administration of the remedy; the acidity of the stomach is immediately connected and the favourable effect instantaneous. It has been ascertained that cork possesses the quality of astringency, and it is by this principle its efficacy is produced. This article may be worth a trial where more certain remedies are not at command.

Transcribed for this web site by Terri Nan Ahrens.

Courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, 46549 State Hwy 10, Delhi, NY, 13753.

All materials on this website are for non-profit, educational use.