The cholera, considered psychologically / [Forbes Winslow].

  • Forbes Benignus Winslow
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The cholera, considered psychologically / [Forbes Winslow]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    dered. In illustration of this fact, the fatality which attended our troops in the lamentable expedition to Walcheren has been referred to. It has been remarked, that whilst our troops and seamen were actively en¬ gaged in the siege and bombardment of Hushing, exposed to intense heat, heavy rains, and poisonous exhalations from the malarious soil inundated by the turbid waters of the Scheldt, scarcely a man was on the sick list—the excitement of warfare, the prospect of victory, and the expectation of booty, completely fortifying the body against all the potent causes of disease that environed the camp and the fleet. But as soon as the troops became inactive and dispirited, by the failure of the expedition, the poisonous exha¬ lations seized hold of them, and disease, in all its frightful malignity, broke out, and created desolation in the camp. The memorable retreat of the “ ten thousand Greeks” under Xenophon affords us another striking example of the influence of mental activity and hope in protecting the body from disease. In the terrible night that preceded the murder of Clear- chus and other leaders of the phalanx, Xenophon, in his address to the troops, says, “You have at pre¬ sent nothing before your eyes but misfortune: if any can turn their thoughts into action, it would greatly encourage them.” Acting on this principle, their celebrated leader converted u the torpor of des¬ pair into the energy of desperation,” urging the men
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