The century cook book

In a case of ordinary intensity, the disease is ushered in by an attack of diarrhoea. This may last a longer or shorter period, but speedily the matters passed by the bowel assume a flocculent or rice-water character. Vomiting, too, comes on, the fluid being thin and colorless. Then follow severe cramps, especially of the abdominal muscles and legs. The flow of urine ceases, the body becomes icy cold on the surface, the tongue is cold, and so even is the breath. The lips are blue and shriveled, the face pinched, the voice is hardly audible. This is called the cold or algid state of the disease. The condition may go on getting worse till the heart stops the patient being quite conscious to the end. Frequently it is impossible to tell whether the patient is to live or die, when suddenly the sickness lessens, the body begins to get warm, the face flushes, and restlessness subsides. The patient seems on the very verge of getting well. But sometimes the urine does not flow, or there may be congestion of the lungs or brain, and so, though reaction has 296 The Family Doctor set in, the man may yet perish. Thus, in an ordinary mild case of cholera, a man will pass through three stages: Firstly, that of premonitory diarrhoea; secondly, that of collapse; and thirdly, that of reaction, probably in about forty-eight hours. The disease is produced by some particular poison, which may be transmitted through the air, by water, or communicated by one individual to another. There can be no doubt that the discharges are one main source of this poison, and hence should be most carefully disinfected. He who would avoid cholera during a cholera season ought to live by rule and method. First, see that his water closets are in good order, and that every precaution is taken in cleansing and disinfecting them. Any good carbolic acid powder answers very well for this purpose. See that the house is clean, sweet and airy; let no foul and decaying matters remain upon the premises. See that the water supply is pure. Let no stale meat or vegetables, no sausage, game or substances likely to create digestive disturbance be used; avoid unripe fruit, prolonged abstinence from food, and excessive fatigue. Avoid strong aperient medicines of every kind. The astringents to be used should not be powerful ; chalk mixture, sulphuric acid, lemonade, or these with a little opium added, are best. No Diarrhoea in Cholera time is to be Neglected. Try to keep up the bodily heat in every way that will not disturb or fatigue the patient. The patient is consumed with thirst and there is no reason for refusing him drink if it is of a wholesome kind. Should reaction occur he must be kept quiet. If his head troubles him, and his face is flushed, apply cold water to it. If there is much sickness, let him have a little ice or ice water. If his lungs get gorged, warm poultices or turpentine stupes will be best. But the great anxiety is the kidneys. If they do not act, warmth must be tried, perhaps as a warm bath, but this requires The Family Doctor 297 caution. If they are acting well and the patient requires a stimulant, let him have some sal volatile. The food given is of especial importance; broths, soups and jellies maybe given, but certainly not meat. Small quantities must be given at a time, and repeated as frequently as necessary.