Asiatic Cholera: A treatise on its origin, pathology, treatment, and cureWhitney, Elijah
History
Asiatic Cholera: A treatise on its origin, pathology, treatment, and cure
Whitney, Elijah
Cholera
Did, then, the principle evolved accord with the pathology and
phenomena of disease? And did it fulfill the indications required?
If not, we ask by what means was the disease arrested, and all the
urgent symptoms mitigated and relieved, or by what were the good
effects produced, and the normal action for a time restored? Can the
result be reasonably accounted for on any other principle than the one
assigned--the stimulating power of the free caloric? We think not; for
it accords most perfectly with the pathology and the peculiar phenomena
of the disease. It assuaged the more urgent symptoms, answered the
imperious demand of the waning powers, revivified and reinvigorated
the vital energies, and restored for the time the normal tone of
the system. What more could be desired in any single agent than the
result here obtained? That it accomplished all this, there can be no
question, according to the statement of the learned professors who have
repeatedly witnessed and described the results.
The question, however, will arise, Can this principle be rendered
available? Most certainly it can; and though it may not be convenient
to introduce free caloric into the stomach, we can, by combination,
introduce a stimulant of equal potency which shall be equally
as prompt, effective and diffusive in its action, similar in its
influence, and similar in its results. It is the principle--not the
precise element for which we contend.
It is universally admitted that in many instances we may learn much
from observing the manner of death which, in a majority of these cases
of cholera, may be described by the term asthenia--a death similar to
that which occurs in congestive fevers, and in some cases of accidental
poisoning. Perhaps the most striking fact observed in these cases is
the perfect exhaustion attending the last moments of existence, and
the quiet, undisturbed manner in which life terminates. This very
clearly shows the exhausting nature and congestive character of the
disease, and gives us an idea of the course of treatment necessary to
be pursued. If, then, there is anything to be learned from this source
relative to its treatment, it does most certainly corroborate and
strengthen the position we have here taken.
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