Sanitary measures and their results : being a sequel to "The history of cholera in Exeter in 1832," to which is now added a short account of its occurance in 1849 / by Thomas Shapter, M.D.

  • Thomas Shapter
Date:
1866
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sanitary measures and their results : being a sequel to "The history of cholera in Exeter in 1832," to which is now added a short account of its occurance in 1849 / by Thomas Shapter, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    APPENDIX. The Sanitahy Committee urgently ciills the attention of the Public, .md ospocially the Poor, to the following valuahlc KUggcKtions for the Prevention of Cholera, which have been drawn u]) by a Committee of Phyfiicwns and Surgeons of Exeter, in conjunction with the Medical Officers of the Corporation of the Poor :— Unwholesome Food.—Avoid the use of unwholesome food, as tainU^ meat, stale fish, particularly stale shell fish, raw vegetables, unripe fruit, acid drinks, and even the incautious use of cold water when the body is over-heated. Intemperange.—Avoid intoxication, or any approach to the intemperat*' use of spirits, wine, beer, and cider. Bad Habits.—Avoid undue fatigue, late houi'S, and all habits which weaken the powers of the constitution. Laxative Medicines.—Avoid the unadvised use of laxative medicines. Cleanliness.—Cleanse and limewash your houses and out-buildings; re- move all animals, as pigs, poultry, rabbits, &c., from j^our Premises. Never allow stagnant water or lilth of any kind to accumulate near your dwellings ; let the house-drains be well washed doTsii every evening, even when they are well trapped; if any ofFensivi smell prevail, examine the state of the traps, and if possiblu, discover and immediately remove the cause. Attend carefully to the cleanliness of your persons daUy. Ventilation.—Admit air freely into all your appartments by day, and when practicable by night, and most especially into rooms in which many persons are working together ; remove chimney boards, and all obstructions to the free current of air; beds should be fi-eely exposed to the air during the day. Diet.—Let your daily diet consist of good wholesome soUd food, as meat. bread, rice, sago, good potatoes; and, drink moderately, cocoa, coffee, tea, milk. Clothing.—Let your clothing be such as will keep the body warm and dry. In damp cold weather, wear flannel belts round the loins, which have been found by experience to be of the greatest advantage ; kec] your feet dry. Premonitory Symptoms.—During the prevalence of Cholera, indisposition more or less prevails, some are affected with giddiness, genend coldness of the body, prostration of strength or faintness, others with sickness, pains in the bowels, cramps or diarrhwa, experiencr has shown that if the Cholera be met at an early stage, it may be combated with every hope of success ; and as all the above feeling? and symptoms are premonitory of an attack, apply without loss of time to the District Sm-geon or your own private Medical Attendant. N.B. District Surgeons are instructed to afford advice and medicines gratuitously, and such other means as the necessity and cmergcnnj of the case may require. The Sanitary Committee have much satisfaction in stating, that after ;i careful consideration of the various improvements which have been from tinn to time adopted in Exeter, as well as of the mcasui-es which have now been devised, the Medical Gentlemen are of opinion this painfid disease, should i: again occur in this City, wiU not be attended vni\). such fatality as on th. previous occasion ; nevertheless the necessity for caiTjang out the ahov. precautious, cannot be too strongly enforced; for lot it always be borne n mind, that those who are temperate in all tilings, cliecrfid and free from alani.. active and regular in their habits, early in thcii- hoiu-s, and clean in then nei'sons and houses, are the least liable to bo attacked vnili Cholera, or anv other serious Disease; beyond tliis aU must be confided to the csire of an all- wise and most merciful Providence. By order of the Samtaiy Committee, Exeter, 21st August, 1849. K. HAKE, Clerk.