Observations on the nature and the treatment of the Asiatic cholera / y William Stevens.

  • William Stevens
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the nature and the treatment of the Asiatic cholera / y William Stevens. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the practice as in almost every case infallible, and by others declaring it totally inert and injurious. Considering that its employment has been hitherto by far too limited to warrant its general assumption or rejection, the object of this paper is to add a few facts to those already published, and thereby promote the laudable purpose you have attempted. Cholera appeared in this establishment about the middle of March, but occurred in isolated cases until the 5th and 6th of May, when its irruption became general, and its cases numerous. Of about 800 individuals, of whom this establishment was then composed, a very great majority were affected with pre- monitory symptoms. Many facilities being offered, the utmost vigilance was employed to secure their early detection. All the men were medically inspected three times daily; if any individual had three evacuations while at labour, he was placed under observation, and his dejections examined. By this means [it was found that] the cases of sudden, profuse and serious diarrhoea amounted for some time to at least thirty daily. Some of these had vomiting, faintness, and cramps. Most of them were attacked in the morning, and were treated by a single dose of five or six grains of calomel combined with one, two or three [grains] of opium, followed by two ounces of the saline mixture every hour ; and if the purging continued, a starch enema, with two drachms of the carbonate of soda, four of common salt, and one, two or three of the tincture of opium with gruel for diet. Under this regimen, toith subsequent small doses of rhubarb and castor-oil, inost of these perso?is recovered, and were never admitted or reported as Cholera. Satisfied that as much was effected as the most unremit- ting and assiduous nursing, and the steady employment of remedies could accomplish, the following table and remarks