Ill; IV HR ITS 
ON 
1] e 0 L E H A, Ill 
CHOLERA, 
AND ITS 
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT. 
BY / 
/ 
DR. F. HUMPHREYS. 
NEW YORK: 
WILLIAM RADD E, PUBLISHER, 
322 BROADWAY. 
i;8 4 9. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by 
WILLIAM RADDE, 
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Southern District of 
New-York. 
H. LUDWIG & CO., HUNTERS, 
70 Vesey-street, N. Y. PREFACE. 
It was my intention to have translated 
and published some work upon the Cholera, 
upon the first apprehension of its visitation. 
But upon reading over everything which 
had been recently published upon the sub- 
ject, the conclusion was apparent that such 
a course would not at all meet the demands 
of the case. The best articles were con- 
fined to the Medical Journals; others 
were meagre pamphlets, designed for lay- 
men, and merely intended to supply a local 
want. I have therefore followed the ad- 
vice of my excellent friend, Dr. liering, 
and have written upon the subject, draw- 
ing upon all the material within my reach, 
none of which has been published in our 
language. The authorities are : Dr. Nus- 4 
PREFACE. 
ser, Hahnemann, Dr. Lobethal, Dr. Wiesen- 
stein, Dr. George Huseman, Dr. Hencke, 
and others, all of whom have written more 
or less extensively upon the subject. 
F. Humphreys. 
Utica, November 22, 1848. 
WILLIAM RAPii, 
322 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK. 
Respectfully informs the Homoeopathic Physicians, and the Friends 
of the System, that he is the Sole Agent for the Leipzig Central Ho- 
moeopathic Pharmacy, and that he has always on hand a good assort, 
ment of the best 
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES, 
In complete sets or by single vials, in Tinctures, Dilutions and 
Triturations; also, Pocket Cases of Medicines; Physicians' and 
Family Medicine Chests to LAURIE’S Domestic (60 Remedies)— 
EPP’S (58 Remedies)—HERING’S (82 Remedies).—Small Pocket- 
Cases at $3, with Family Guide and 27 Remedies.—Cases con- 
taining 415 Vials with Tinctures and Triturations for Physicians.— 
Cases with 260 Vials of Tinctures and Triturations to Jahr’s New 
Manual, or Symptomen-Codex..—POCKET CASES with 60 Vials of 
Tinctures and Triturations.—Cases from 200 to 300 Vials with low 
and high dilutions of medicated pellets.—Cases from 50 to 80 Vials 
of low and high dilutions, See., Sec. Homoeopathic Chocolate. Re- 
fined Sugar of Milk, pure Globules, &c., Arnica Tincture, the best 
specific remedy for bruises, sprains, wounds, etc. Arnica Plaster, the 
best application for Corns. Urtica Urens, the best specific remedy for 
Burns. Also, Books, Pamphlets, and Standard Works on the System, 
in the English, French, and German languages. THE CHOLERA 
HO MCEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
When the Cholera first made its appear- 
ance in Europe in 1831, Homoeopathy could 
boast of but a small number of adherents. 
From the attenuated size of the doses 
of medicine employed, and the complete 
departure from the ordinary rules of prac- 
tice, it had excited but comparatively little 
attention among the public or medical 
world. Among the monarchical institu- 
tions of Europe, where everything combines 
to sustain the powers that be, nothing is 
so much dreaded as the promulgation of 
new doctrines and opinions which may 
tend to unsettle the influence of those in 
place, and hence the disfavour with which 6 
THE CHOLERA 
all new doctrines are viewed. It is not 
strange, that amid so many prejudicial in- 
fluences the doctrines of Hahnemann, how- 
ever beneficial for mankind, should have 
been received with no greater favour by 
physicians in general. 
It was very generally believed when this 
Asiatic scourge first threatened western 
Europe with its presence, that should it come 
to be removed from its native jungles, and 
the crowded and ill-fed masses in the cities 
of the east, and subjected to the scrutiniz- 
ing gaze and scientific examination of the 
enlightened physicians of Europe, its pow- 
er would be broken. Numbers of the most 
able practitioners hastened to give the 
public their views upon the nature of the 
disease and its treatment, and in a short 
time the press was deluged with a very 
chaos of theories and opinions respecting 
it. But, alas ! the Cholera paid but very 
little attention to these views. The treat- 
ment of the ablest alloeopatliic practition- 
ers was but little more successful than that 
of the ignorant charlatan ; and in almost 
every place where it appeared, in a very 
little time, the common people, scorning 
the mockery of such medical treatment, HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
7 
cast their reproaches upon the physicians, 
refused all medical aid, and the half and 
even two-thirds of all who were attacked 
went down to the grave. 
It was at this time that Hahnemann, in 
a brief circular, gave to his scattered dis- 
ciples and the public his views respecting 
the treatment of this disease. He recom- 
mended the Camphor as the principal rem- 
edy, in connection with the Cuprum and 
Veratrum, upon the ground of their patho- 
genetic action upon the healthy, as con- 
taining the required curative indications, 
and as being the most appropriate reme- 
dies in this disease. The success of their 
application placed the truth of his observa- 
tion at once in the most brilliant light. His 
disciples administered these medicines with 
such marked success, that several different 
European governments afterwards author- 
ized the collection of the various items of 
statistics which were formally reported to 
them. The following is a list of those in 
our possession. 
1. Dr. Roth reported to the Bavarian 
government, that 1269 cholera patients had 
been treated homaeopathically in the Bava- 
rian and neighbouring Austrian states; 8 
THE CHOLERA 
of these, 1184 were cured, and only 85 
died. 
2. Dr. Bakody reported officially to 
Count Ferraris, health commissioner, that 
in the territory of Raab, in Hungary, he 
had treated homoeopathically 223 patients 
with Cholera. Of these, 215 were cured, 
and 8 died. 
3. From the official report of Admiral 
Mordrinoff to the Russian government con- 
cerning the homoeopathic treatment of 
Cholera, it appears: 
1. That in the district of Balaschof there 
were in the several villages of that district, 
625 patients treated by the Chamberlain, A. 
N. Svof, of whom 564 were cured, and 61 
died. 
2. In the same district, upon the proper- 
ty of the proprietor, when homoeopathic 
aid was administered without the least de- 
lay, 50 cases occurred, and 50 were cured. 
3. There were, from the report of M. 
Pevalischine, on his possessions, 38 treated: 
36 cured, and two died. 
4. Report of M. Bitutsky, on his possessions 
there were 19 cases: 16 cured, and 3 died. HOMOEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
9 
5. Report of M. A. A. Stolpyne : he had 
13 cases treated, 12 cured and 1 died. 
6. In the possessions of Baron Brode 
there were 188 cases treated: 177 cured, 
and 1J died, according to his report. 
7. In the village of Saratof, Dr. Kleiner 
treated homceopathically 39 cases, 36 of 
whom were cured, and 3 died. 
8. In the village of Gloubokienski, in the 
Don country, district Kamench, according to 
report of Dr. Kleiner, 59 cases were treat- 
ed : 53 cured, 6 died. 
9. In the villages of Renchevatiskeo and 
Illsenskoe, situated on the line of observa- 
tion of the Caucasus, there were 85 treat- 
ed : 67 cured, 18 died. 
10. In the village of Raskasovo and 
vicinity, from the report of M. A. V. Tou- 
lienf, who treated the patients, and of the 
proprietor, there were 92 cases treated: 
87 of whom were cured, and 5 died. 
11. On the property of A. M. Poltarat- 
ski, from the report of the proprietor, there 
were 45 cases treated : 44 were cured, and 
1 died. 
As a summary of the whole number of 
cholera patients treated homoeopathically, 10 
THE CHOLERA 
up to 1832, collected by Dr. Peschier, we 
have: In Russia, from the documents of 
Admiral Mordrinoff, there were 1557 pa- 
tients treated : 1394 were cured, 1G3 died. 
In Austria, documents of Dr. Roth and 
observations of Drs. Schuter, Hanessch, 
and Quinn, 140G cases were treated: 1314 
cured, and 95 died. 
At Berlin, observations of Drs. Stuller 
and Hayne, there were 32 cases treated: 
26 were cured, and 6 died. 
At Paris, observation of Dr. Quinn, there 
were 19 cases treated, and 19 cured. 
From the foregoing statistics it will be 
observed, that of 3017 cases, 2753 were 
cured, and 264 died; or a proportion of 
eight and a half per cent. 
Such results, occurring in portions of 
country where the mortality under the 
ordinary methods of treatment varied from 
fifty to sixty or even to seventy per cent., 
could not fail to attract attention. The 
result was, that several European govern- 
ments which had adopted stringent meas- 
ures to prevent the spread of this medical 
heresy, either relaxed or abolished them 
altogether ; the attention of the public was HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
11 
directed to this source; and many physi- 
cians of skill and eminence were induced 
to study and investigate the new method 
of practice. From that day a brighter era 
has dawned upon homoeopathy, and both 
in Europe and in this country her increase 
and extension has been most triumphant 
and satisfactory. 
After an absence of ten or twelve years, 
this scourge of our race, having almost 
made the circuit of the earth, has again 
left its old haunts in the east, and ap- 
peared in the north and west of Europe, and 
from thence hangs as a threatening cloud 
upon our horizon. During its long ab- 
sence, it seems to have lost nothing of its 
former violence and malignancy. Thus 
far, following nearly the same track as in 
1831 and 1832, the mortality has been full 
as large as formerly: 50, 60, and even 75 
per cent., in the larger cities, has been the 
proportion of deaths to the number of per- 
sons attacked. 
Fortunately, the experience gained during 
its former visitations, has not been lost 
upon us; and with its anticipated return, 
there are a large number of able and ex- 12 
THE CHOLERA 
perienced homoeopathic physicians pre- 
pared for its reception ; and thousands of 
our population expect at their hand aid 
and comfort in the hour of extremity and 
peril. 
Our allaeopathic brethren, too, will be 
better prepared to meet it. With the 
Camphor, a remedy for the use of which in 
this disease they are wholly indebted to 
Homoeopathy, and Ipecac., though neither 
the best remedies nor used in the best 
manner, they will meet the enemy with far 
better success than at its former visitation. 
The remote cause of this disease may be 
considered as a peculiar poison, (miasm,) 
which is only propagated among men, and 
which seems to be contained in their neigh- 
bourhood, clothing, habitations, &c. 
The Cholera miasm excites of itself, 
among persons of general good health, 
only a slight malise, or sickness, and at 
the most, only the first stage of the Chole- 
ra, the Cholerina. Almost all observers 
confirm the fact, that the Cholera perhaps 
always comes on after more or less con- HOMOEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
13 
siderable precursors, and we may say, 
never breaks out at once as a fully devel- 
oped disease; or at least such sudden at- 
tacks are unusually rare. The Cholera 
predisposition being present, a farther oc- 
casional cause, such as fear, some error in 
diet, a slight chill, or some excess, serves 
to develop the disease into the well- 
marked Asiatic Cholera. This is the prin- 
cipal source of consolation with reference 
to its approach, as well as a point for the 
application of prophylactics. 
The duration of an epidemic in a place 
is different according to its location, its size, 
the density of its population, and other cir- 
cumstances. It is usually, however, some 
months, with sporadic cases of greater or 
less violence before and afterwards, which 
all partake to some extent of the prevail- 
ing influence, until the disease shows no 
farther disposition to propagate itself. The 
proportion of the inhabitants who are at- 
tacked, ranges from one-third of the entire 
population, to one person in three hundred. 
We may remark, that the free air seems to 
attenuate the Cholera miasm, and is a very 
bad conductor for it. For, first, the Chole- 14 
THE CHOLERA 
ra in infected cities does not equally ex- 
tend over every part, but stretches itself 
along certain houses and streets. It is at 
times continually in the midst of travelling 
caravans, armies, and ships, either journey- 
ing with them, or leaping from point to 
point in their route. 2d. In narrow, con- 
tracted dwellings, lanes and alleys, hospi- 
tals and other confined habitations, the 
miasm is far more concentrated,intensive 
and malignant, than in a more open atmos- 
phere; often even 99-100ths of those who 
are attacked in such localities dying. 3d. 
In certain grades of the Cholera, the tem- 
perature of the atmosphere appears to have 
but little influence upon it. 
Occasional Causes: Among the most pro- 
minent of these may be named fear, an 
apprehensive state of mind; a sudden 
fright; loathing, on account of any offen- 
sive object; grief, especially continuous, 
depressing grief; errors in diet, particularly 
the use of heavy, indigestible food, and all 
such articles as dispose to relax the state 
of the bowels ; beer, cider, and mineral 
waters; purgative or cathartic medicines ; 
these are rarely or never beneficial, and HOMOEOPATH[CALLY TREATED. 
15 
during a cholera epidemic may easily give 
occasion, by relaxing the integrity of the 
intestinal canal, to a sudden and fearful at- 
tack of the disease. Chill, the so-called 
taking cold ; dampness or humidity; heat, 
a high temperature of the air; flat, low 
plains ; cellars, or the basement stories of 
dwellings ; and crowded habitations, as pri- 
sons ; narrow lanes and alleys, where the 
air is close and confined. 
Among the occasional causes which tend 
to diminish the disposition to this disease, 
may be named : a cold temperature of the 
air, and a considerable altitude above the 
level of the sea. To these may be added, 
a section of country free from lime-stone, 
and of course lime water.* 
* Dr. Charles T. Jackson expresses the belief, that New 
England will again escape the ravages of the Cholera. He 
says : 
“We have a right to infer, that since it never has visited 
the granite countries of Switzerland or Tyrol, in Europe, 
while it followed the calcareous district around ; and since 
it did not occur in the primary districts of Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, or Massachusetts ; while it did follow 
the calcareous formation through Canada, New York, Ohio, 
and along the Mississippi—that the calcareous soil or waters 
had much to do with the production of the disease. We 
know that the bowels of any Eastern man who travels 
through the calcareous districts of the Western states, are 
much disturbed by the action of bi-carbonate of lime which 16 
THE CHOLERA 
Chlorine does not here appear to possess 
any special disinfecting power. 
Predisposing causes: Persons of middle 
age are more liable to attacks than infancy 
and old age. The female sex are con- 
sidered more subject to it than males ; idio- 
cy ; chronic diarrhoea especially predisposes 
the system for it; habitus venosus ; persons 
of scrofulous diathesis ; intermitting fe- 
vers. Among children, the male sex are 
more liable than the female, and those af- 
fected with apthae, jaundice, worms, and 
those who suffer from teething, are more dis- 
posed to an attack of Cholera than others. 
It has been remarked, that infancy and 
old age are most exempt; and those suffer- 
ing from ulcers of the legs, from phthisis, 
and the influenza, especially the latter, are 
least subject to the disease. 
Diagnosis : I. Copious secretion in the 
stomach and intestinal canal of a serous 
fluid. It is like the white of an egg or 
rice water, neutral, somewhat yellowish, 
is contained in the water; and hence we might naturally 
infer, that such a disturbing cause might render the consti- 
tution more liable to the Cholera, which has its seat in the 
stomach and small intestines.” HOMOEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
17 
mixed with whitish flocks of the size of lin- 
seed, and at times with blood ; of a slight 
mouldy, sperm-like smell, and flat, insipid 
taste, which is discharged without exertion 
by the mouth and rectum. In more rare 
cases, the discharges are almost pure, thick, 
coagulable flocks, with very little serum. 
II. Great diminution or entire disappear- 
ance of all the secretions and excretions. 
The tears cease to flow; the saliva is dried 
up, and the mouth is parched ; there is no 
trace of bile in the intestinal canal ; the 
faeces are wanting in the discharges ; there 
is an entire suppression of the urine, and the 
bladder is empty; the expiration and per- 
spiration are both suppressed. The secre- 
tion of milk in nurses and that of the 
menses are only excepted. III. Deficiency 
of elasticity and warmth in the skin ; hence 
we have the Cholera shrinking or shrivel- 
ling of the hands and other parts, like those 
of a washerwoman, facies cholerica, lead-co- 
loured countenance, &c. The mucous mem- 
brane becomes involved, hence the cold 
tongue, hoarse peculiar cholera voice, and 
cold breath. The blood vessels and the 
heart are similarly affected, hence the soft 18 
the cholera 
pulse, the bellows tone of the heart, and 
stagnation of blood. 4. Tonic cramp of the 
muscles, less frequently clonic, especially 
of the lower extremities and the abdomen. 
Course. The Cholera has usually three 
several stages. Besides these, there are 
frequently slight precursory symptoms, 
which may even continue for days and 
weeks previous to the attack, such as : Ir- 
ritability of mind ; lassitude ; sleeplessness ; 
unrefreshing sleep ; soft and slow pulse ; 
confusion of the head; paleness of face ; 
pressure of the stomach; nausea ; rumbling 
of the abdomen ; inclination to diarrhoea; 
cramp of the calves, &c. 
1st Stadium. The Ciiolerina. The pa- 
tients have an aching or pressure in the pit 
of the stomach, which is worse upon con- 
tact ; burning, which often extends to the 
throat and the abdomen ; diarrhoea, especi- 
ally in the morning, which varies consider- 
ably in its consistency, colour, &e., but is 
fecal. At times, it is continuous, the patient 
having 10, 12 to 20 stools in the course of 
24 hours, which during the transition to 
the 2d stage becomes constantly more and 
more thin and serous, until the flocculent HOMCEOPATIIICALLY TREATED. 
19 
discharges appear; or, after some more 
natural discharges, the stools assume the 
characteristic cholera appearances. Often , 
early in this stage, upon auscultation, the 
bellows-sound maybe distinguished, first in 
the abdominal aorta, and later in the heart 
itself. The pulse becomes softer, the thirst 
more or less intense in proportion to the 
frequency and fluidity of the diarrhoea, and 
the number and grade of the accompany- 
ing symptoms, as given among the pre- 
cursors. Duration extends from a few 
hours to over seven days. 
Terminations : Either in health, by the 
gradual remission of the symptoms; the 
appearance of slight sweat; quiet sleep; 
an increase of urine ; and more consistent 
stools.—Or, it may pass into the second 
stage, with an increase of the symptoms, 
and the formation of the characteristic eva- 
cuations.—Or, finally, it may end in the 
typhus variety; with great dulness and stu- 
pidity, the head becoming heavy and con- 
fused, with pressure especially in the fore- 
head ; the eyelids red and inflamed ; roaring 
in the ears and hardness of hearing ; warm 
tongue, &c. 20 
THE CHOLERA 
2d Stadium. Cholera exquisita. It be- 
gins in the usual course, as soon as the 
vomitings come on and the evacuations up- 
ward and downward assume the charac- 
teristic peculiarities. It's conclusion is also 
marked by the remission of the vomitings. 
Duration is from two to forty-eight hours. 
The disease presents the following picture. 
1. Anguish in the chest, an anguish like 
that of death, sometimes the patient lying 
still upon his back, at others with great 
complaining, inquietude and tossing about. 
2. Indifference, want of interest and in- 
sensibility to everything, even relatives 
and bodily injuries. 
3. & 4. Cramps. Perhaps from conges- 
tion of blood in the spasmodically-con- 
tracted vessels, as in proportion to the 
cramps we have venous congestion and 
blueness of the surface. They are mostly 
tonic ; less frequently clonic, and more so 
at the commencement of the attack, and 
are manifest to the touch by the rigidity, 
hardness and knotting of the muscles, which 
often remains after death. They com- 
mence usually in the lower extremities and 
pass to the upper, then to the muscles of HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
21 
the abdomen and the chest, and sometimes 
even the jaw itself. Not unfrequently they 
are very slight or almost entirely wanting ; 
at others excessively violent, and excite in 
the abdominal muscles violent tearing 
pains, causing the patient to scream out 
with agony. The voluntary muscular 
strength still continues with increasing 
weariness and lameness. Paralysis of the 
muscles never appears, although in death 
the muscles remain tense. 
5. The pulse at the wrist is very soft, 
and towards the peripheric not perceptible 
to the finger; and in attacks of spasm, dis- 
appearing or raising to 110 or T20; and 
later it becomes threadlike, and impercept- 
ible. At the carotids and heart, it is like- 
wise soft and small, yet continues longer 
perceptible. Upon auscultation, the sound 
of the auricle is very indistinct, while that 
of the ventricle is very clear, especially at 
the precordia. 
6. The skin is especially inelastic, cold, 
dry, glazed, pale or leaden-gray ; on the 
glans, the fingers, toes, and point of the 
nose, and around the eyes, a bluish gray 
colour, and sometimes even violet. From 22 
THE CHOLERA 
want of elasticity, the skin forms long 
folds or wrinkles, especially on the back of 
the hand, the fingers and abdomen. Some 
elevated folds remain standing, or show 
themselves slowly after each other. Wounds 
do not gape open, and the skin feels like 
buckskin. If sprinkled or bathed with cold 
water, there is no appearance of goose- 
pimples or cutis anserina. With children 
and fat persons the folds are often scarcely 
perceptible. The temperature of the sur- 
face is from 60 to 70 Fahrenheit, the low- 
est at the points of the toes, the fingers, the 
nose, and the ears ; a few grades higher 
upon the chest and under the armpits. 
The coldness appears first, and is by far the 
most intense at the lower extremities. The 
sensation of warmth to the patient remains; 
blisters redden the surface ; the itch disap- 
pears ; syphilis remains, and dropsies sink 
away ; all these diseases of the skin return 
again after Cholera and are increased. 
7. Facies cholerica: The eyeballs are 
rolled upwards, heavy and glazed ; the pu- 
pils are dilated ; sclerotica surrounded with 
a bluish half moon ; staring gaze ; the up- 
per eyelid is half closed, the lower is sur- HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED, 
23 
rounded with a bluish half moon. Thu 
colour of the face is pale, from leaden-gray 
to violet; skin on the lips, cheeks and point 
of the nose appears glazed; the nose is 
pointed ; cheeks are sunk in ; the upper lip 
is drawn upwards; the nostrils and car- 
tilage of the ear are very movable, with 
folds or wrinkles from the nostrils to the 
corners of the mopth. This facies cho- 
lerica is a peculiar characteristic of the 
highest grades of the disease, and is indeed 
a frightful and ghostlike appearance. 
8. The tongue and mucous membrane of 
the mouth is cold, dry, and feels like tanned 
leather; it is movable, and at the com- 
mencement of the attack clean, but during 
its progress to the first variety it be- 
comes coated; with greater danger it is 
bluish, sometimes it is shrunk up, shriv- 
elled, and this contracted state of the tongue 
is considered as a particularly fatal symp- 
tom. 
9. Aching in the prcecordia, aggravated 
by external pressure, often by the slightest, 
with anguish and oppression; at times 
there is also burning, extending from the 
prsecordia down into the abdomen, and up- 
ward into the oesophagus. 24 
THE CHOLERA 
10. Thirst. At the beginning it is mo- 
derate, but later becomes inextinguishable; 
sometimes with dread of drink, or with vio- 
lent longing after water or fruit, acids and 
fresh air. 
11. 12. The characteristic evacuations* 
upwards, come on usually somewhat later 
than those downward. The vomiting alter- 
nates with diarrhoea, which becomes more 
thin and somewhat flocculent, gushing out 
without exertion, and sometimes in such 
large masses as to appear like thick pea 
soup, which, however, is not to be consi- 
dered unfavourable. During the transition 
towards health, the stools become loamy. 
They are sometimes mixed with blood, 
and are either bright red, dissolved in the 
exudations and scentless, which mostly oc- 
curs among plethoric subjects between the 
ages of 24 and 40 ; or, it is darker, unmixed 
and bad smelling, as appears among old 
people. These mixed bloody stools are al- 
ways in the highest degree dangerous. 
13. Suppression of the secretions and ex- 
cretions, as we have noticed in the diag- 
nosis. 
* See Diagnosis. HOMOEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
25 
14. The breath is cold, from 60 to 65 
Fahrenheit; the inspiration is deep and 
somewhat slow, the expiration short and 
groaning. Upon auscultation, the respira- 
tory murmur is very distinct and somewhat 
puerile; the tone, upon percussion of the 
thorax, is very clear on the anterior and 
posterior portions, as if from emphysema. 
15. Cholera voice: arising from the want 
of elasticity of the mucous membrane and 
epiglottis, and the muscular spasm. Occa- 
sionally after the first, but most usually 
after the third or fourth vomiting, the voice 
becomes characteristic; it is rough and 
hoarse. Hiccough is not unfrequently pre- 
sent, and is often very distressing. 
16. 17. Aggravation of the disease after 
midnight and towards morning; during the 
afternoon the patients lie more quietly. 
Every movement exhausts the patient very 
much. It has been remarked, that by far 
the greatest number are attacked with cho- 
lera between midnight and day-break. 
Terminations of this stage : (a) In health, 
by the diminution or disappearance of the 
symptoms peculiar to this stage, and the ap- 
pearance of those belonging to the first. 26 
THE CHOLERA 
Remission of the coldness, and dryness of 
the skin; the pulse comes up, the thirst and 
anguish abate. The vomiting becomes less, 
and assumes a yellowish-green cast; the 
stools become greenish, or brownish; sweat 
appears; there is more calmness and lassi- 
tude, and sleep comeson; later the urine 
becomes pale, yellow, clear and copious, 
and finally there is increased appetite. 
Wounds heal very quickly. Duration of 
convalescence from 2 to 14 days: or (b) it 
may end in the third stage : with disappear- 
ance of the vomiting, failure of the pulse, 
et cetera; or (c) again it may end in the 
typhus variety : with drowsiness, roaring in 
the ears, bluish face, and other symptoms 
peculiar to that condition. 
3d Stage: Usually known as the para- 
lytic, or state of collapse, from the loss of 
pulse, suppressed circulation, &c. The 
commencement of this stage is marked by 
the remission of the vomiting. Therewith 
there is the highest degree of indifference, 
at times like delirium, though consciousness 
continues to the end. The greatest weak- 
ness is present; the patient lying on the 
back, or sinking down towards the foot of HOMOEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
27 
the bed ; on the skin there returns a slight 
degree of warmth and moisture ; a more 
marked blueness and facies cholerica; pulse 
becomes imperceptible at the wrist, later 
even at the carotids, and the heart itself; 
the eyes are dim, and when speaking appear 
glazed ; seldom or never is there the cha- 
racteristic vomiting, and diarrhoea; but 
later, the stools are passed involuntarily as 
from a rill; the respiration is laborious, 
rattling, and almost gone. Duration is from 
one to two hours, and up to as many days. 
Terminations : (a) In death, often after 
a long period of suppressed circulation of 
the blood, and of the respiration, (b) In 
convalescence : when the arrest of the cir- 
culation has not continued for too long a 
period; when the stools appear bilious ; 
there is a return of the pulse and tone of the 
heart; disappearance of the blueness ; and 
the anguish ; and the respiration becomes 
easier ; yet the return to health is very te- 
dious. Very trifling circumstances, as for 
instance, a slight degree of mental excite- 
ment, increased warmth, or heightened tem- 
perature, and some kinds of food and drink, 
excite again the anguish, palpitation of the 28 
THE CHOLERA 
heart, small soft pulse, and inclination to 
vomiting and diarrhoea. Weakness as af- 
ter great loss of fluids, with inquiet sleep, 
&c., remains for a longer or shorter time. 
Or, (c) in the typhus variety, (see below,) 
with coming on of stupor, &c. 
Varieties: 1st variety. Among these by 
far the most frequent is the congestive 
form, which in its farther development be- 
comes the typhus ; as it is from the reaction 
of the cholera itself, and is its direct coun- 
terpart. We have here arterial congestion 
and symptoms derived from it, in the brain, 
spinal cord, and their nerves; while in 
venous cholera, the brain and organs of 
sense maintain their supremacy. Hence 
existing inflammations very quickly disap- 
pear during an attack of cholera, and du- 
ring the convalescence wounds heal up 
very suddenly. From hence also it is the 
most frequent variety, traces of it being 
found in almost every patient. It may take 
part at the beginning of an attack of cho- 
lera, or it may arise out of a cholerina, or 
from either the fully-developed or asphyctic 
form of the disease. It very commonly 
arises where many people are crowded to- HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
29 
gether, living in close, confined dwellings, 
where there is a high degree of cholera 
miasm prevalent; or it may arise in the 
course of the disease from an entire or par- 
tial suppression of the evacuations. The 
symptoms are: quiet immovable position 
upon the back, and later, sinking down to 
the foot of the bed ; stupidity ; when roused 
up, the patient only complains of great 
weakness ; momentary delirium ; the eyes 
are staring; pupils dilated; conjunctiva 
reddish ; hardness of hearing ; humming in 
the ears; dirty-bluish colour of the face ; 
nostrils dark and foul; the tongue is 
dry in the middle, somewhat swollen, as 
if oedematous, and indented from the im- 
pression of the teeth; the tongue, teeth, 
lips, &c., covered with sordes ; the thirst is 
but slight; respiration accelerated, and 
somewhat puerile ; the speech is not hoarse, 
but thick, stammering; the pulse again be- 
comes perceptible, the tone of the heart is 
not free, and the contractions appear labo- 
rious. Later there comes on somnolency, 
then sopor, then stupor ; or, great delirium, 
desire to fly out of bed, or entire unconscious- 
ness, rattling respiration, and in rare 30 
THE CHOLERA 
cases, meteorism. Finally, the pulse and 
strokes of the heart become intermittent, 
very rapid; the carotids pulsate violently, 
the air no longer penetrates the lower por- 
tion of the lungs; the respiration becomes 
more and more slow; and death ensues.— 
Or, there arises a remission of the great ex- 
haustion and delirium ; the urine becomes 
more clear and copious, moderate sweat 
and sleep come on, which are followed by 
convalescence. Duration from five to ten 
days. Trembling of the hands, color mor- 
dax, meteorism, the usual attendants of 
typhus, are wholly wanting, or occur very 
seldom. 
2nd variety. Hydrocephalus cholericus. 
It appears among infants and children up 
to the seventh year, and is essentially a 
form of the first variety. Its attack is often 
very sudden. It is manifest by tossing about 
of the patient; somnolency ; stupor ; almost 
entire loss of consciousness ; bending back 
of the head ; boring of the head into the pil- 
low, hot scalp. The ears and nose are cold ; 
the eyes half open ; the eyeballs rolled up- 
wards; cornea slightly glazed, pupils dilated, 
and some intolerance of light. The mus- HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
31 
cles of the throat, especially the sterno- 
mastoideus are tense ; the abdomen is fall- 
en in and soft; respiration is accelerated 
with occasional deep inspirations ; the ex- 
tremities cold ; the thighs drawn upward ; 
the pulse quick, tense, and changeable. 
This variety appears often very suddenly, 
frequently after the second or third stage 
of the usual cholera. Duration from four 
to ten days. 
3d variety. Cholera asphyctica. Cho- 
lera with predominating affection of the or- 
gans of the chest, lungs and heart. Here 
we have the greatest anguish and inquie- 
tude ; blueness of the face and extremities ; 
the evacuations upward and downward, 
and the cramps, are comparatively slight; 
but in place of these, the respiration is in 
the highest degree difficult and laborious, 
but yet painless. The respiratory murmur 
is very loud ; the strokes of the heart are 
small, almost imperceptible, at times a 
mere flutter; it has often the shortest and 
most highly dangerous course. This form 
appears particularly among strong plethoric 
men of twenty or thirty years, in different 
grades and modifications, and is often a 32 
THE CHOLERA 
termination of different stages and varie- 
ties. 
Fourth Variety.—The so-called Diar- 
rhoea colerica is only a very slow and mild 
course of the second stage. 
Fifth Variety.—Cholera of pregnant wo- 
men. It has commonly the usual course, 
but is almost always attended with the 
death of the foetus, which is generally pre- 
ceded by violent movements of the child. 
Sixth Variety.—Cholera sicca, dry Chole- 
ra. A Cholera without any vomiting or 
diarrhoea, and belongs among the most sel- 
dom-appearing diseases, at least in Europe. 
Pathological Anatomy. 1. The skin has 
yet the Habitus cholericus, the blueness, &c., 
to almost the same degree as during life. 
From the permanence and importance of 
the symptom, inelasticity of the skin, the 
body after death does not become white. 
2. The mucous membrane in the stomach, 
less in the duodenum and jejunum, particu- 
larly the epithelium, is rough and abraded, 
or various portions are reddened, or covered 
with minute elevations, or again it is pale. 
Where there has been bloody, scentless diar- 
rhoea, (see 2d stage, sections 11, 12,) the HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
33 
small intestines are very much reddened in 
many places ; and when the stools have 
been cadaverous, the large intestines pre- 
sent the same appearances. 3. Among the 
serous membranes the arachnoidean contains 
three or four times the normal amount of 
fluid, especially with the first variety ; the 
pleural sacks, and the peritoneum, are dry; 
the pericardium is externally dry, and con- 
tains but a very little serum. 4. The blood 
vessels are filled with dark, grumous blood, 
even all the veins and arteries, and the 
more so the nearer they are to the aorta. 
5. The brain, spinal cord, and nerves from 
the brain, appear frequently firmer than 
normal, especially after violent spasms; 
the nervous sympatheticus, and its gan- 
glions, are at times darker, and the solar 
plexus often redder than usual. 6. The 
muscles are tolerably tense, as during life, 
not as if paralyzed ; the lungs are emphy- 
sematous upon the surface, especially where, 
as in the third variety, there has been vio- 
lent anguish ; the liver is normal in size, 
and full of foul, greasy blood ; the spleen 
is small and hard ; the kidneys are firm 
and compact; the bladder is very much 
contracted, and wrinkled internally. 34 
THE CHOLERA 
Prognosis. It is favourable with females 
of middle age, and among boys, and where 
the evacuations are moderate in frequency 
and quantity. Unfavourable, with small 
children ; with aged persons ; with strong 
and plethoric men ; where there are too 
scanty evacuations ; where there are pains 
like those of labour; where there is swelling 
of the glands of the ear, without maturation; 
petechiae; when a pulseless condition has 
continued for some time; when there is great 
coldness and blueness of the surface; or 
where there is a predominant affection of the 
chest or brain, or bloody diarrhoea; or, 
finally, where there is violent thirst, with- 
out copious drinking. Under Homoeopathic 
treatment, from 5 to 12 per cent, die of 
those attacked; and under Allopathic, on 
the whole, 50 per cent. 
THERAPEUTICS. 
The precautionary measures to be adopt- 
ed during the prevalence of Cholera are 
few, and easily reduced to practice. A 
diet, simple, easily digested, and strongly 
nourishing, should be sought; and every ar- 
ticle which may exercise a relaxing in- HOMOEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
35 
fluence upon the intestinal canal, should 
be carefully avoided. Hence fruit, vegeta- 
bles, and salads, lettuce, onions, pickles, cu- 
cumbers, melons, should be entirely aban- 
doned, or used with extreme circumspec- 
tion. Cathartic medicines are generally 
injurious, but, at such times, particularly 
dangerous, as being apt to induce a diar- 
rhoea, and thus bring on the disease. The 
body should be kept at a warm, comforta- 
ble temperature, especially the feet and ab- 
domen, and daily washing of the entire 
surface with cold water, is of decided ad- 
vantage. Fresh air, and the daily venti- 
lation of sleeping apartments, and those 
constantly occupied, cannot be too strongly 
insisted upon. Narrow, close dwellings 
and locations, and especially where there is 
much moisture, should be avoided. To 
those in the habit of using stimulus daily, 
its entire and sudden abandonment might 
prove prejudicial; while others, not so ha- 
bituated, would be extremely culpable to 
use spirituous drinks, under the idea of thus 
protecting themselves from the prevailing 
influence. Every care should be taken to 
prevent taking cold. With these there 36 
THB CHOLERA 
should be maintained a quiet, even, and, as 
far as possible, a cheerful state of mind, a 
freedom from depressing anxiety and fear, 
and a quiet trust in Divine Providence. 
PROPHYLACTICS. 
The prophylactic medical treatment which 
has been most extensively employed against 
this disease by homoeopathic physicians, 
is the use of the Veratrum and Cuprum. 
They are usually given in alternation, a 
few drops or pellets of the one, or the other, 
alternately every second or third day. Dis- 
solve some pellets of each (third or sixth 
attenuation) in a half glass of water, and 
given to every member of the family, one 
teaspoonful of the fluid in the morning on 
rising, alternating the two remedies. It 
is stated that Dr. Marrenzeller gave 
these medicines to many thousand people 
in Vienna during the Cholera, none of 
whom fell victims to the disease. Similar 
results were gained in Hungary and Po- 
land by other physicians. According to 
Dr. Hering, Sulphur should prove a most 
efficient prophylactic for cholera. Wear- 
ing a small piece of copper upon the pit 
of the stomach was practised by thousands 
in Germany during the Cholera, with what HOMCEOPATIUCALLY TREATED. 
37 
effect we are not informed ; but doubtless 
the absorption of copper into the system 
from this most sensitive point, would not 
be without its influence. It is the general 
experience of homoeopathic physicians, that, 
among those who took the medicines, and 
were attacked, the disease showed itself in 
its mildest form, while those who had omit- 
ted this preventive treatment, were at- 
tacked with great violence. 
We have purposely omitted the Camphor 
in our list of prophylactics, as this remedy, 
although one of the most powerful and 
penetrating in the Materia Medica, and 
filling a space occupied by no other, is far 
too evanescent in its action to serve the 
purpose of a good protective. 
During the course of the prophylactic 
treatment, the patient should abstain from 
the use of coffee, green tea, vinegar or acids 
of any kind, camphor, ardent spirits, port 
wine, all*aromatics and perfumes, fat pork, 
strongly spiced or seasoned food, and the 
use of any emetic, cathartic or domestic 
medicines. All these interfere to a great- 
er or less degree with the salutary influ- 
ence of the minute doses of medicines 38 
THE CHOLERA 
employed, and it is of the greatest impor- 
tance that they be permitted to expend 
their action undisturbed. 
When a fearful, anxious, apprehensive 
state of mind, prevails in a patient, this 
circumstance should not be lost sight of in 
making out a prophylactive prescription. 
The remedies most appropriate to this con- 
dition are Arsen., Bell., Laches., Secal., 
Stram., Veratr. 
TREATMENT OF THE PRECURSORS. 
Where there are present, besides the ac- 
companying anguish of the precordia, and 
great fear, anxiety, &c., cramps in the 
calves of the legs, &c., Camphor. 
When there is aching and burning in the 
precordia: Acid, phos., Arsen., Phos., Verat. 
With rumbling in the abdomen: Acid, 
phos., Phos., Verat. 
With diarrhoea : Acid, phos., Arsen., Ipe- 
cac., Phos., Secal., Sulph., Verat. 
With predominant confusion of the head : 
Stram. 
FIRST STAGE OF CHOLERA, OR CHOLERINA. 
Before the appearance of the developed 
Cholera, in some cases many days, in HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
39 
others only a few hours, we have a pecu- 
liar diarrhoea, the Cholerina. This diar- 
rhoea in the beginning is feculent, but soon 
becomes watery, greenish, often mixed 
with white slime. There is also confusion 
of the head ; rumbling in the abdomen ; ach- 
ing at the precordia; thirst for water, and 
pale face. It is of the utmost importance 
that these symptoms should be cut off at 
once, as, unless cured, the developed Chol- 
era in the second or third stage is sure to 
come on. Such appearances should be 
sufficient at once to confine the patient to 
his room, and demand the prompt exhibi- 
tion of the proper remedies. 
Phos. acid is the specific remedy in this 
form of the disease, especially if the diar- 
rhoea be painless and accompanied by 
borborigmy, and rarely fails in a short time 
to arrest its farther progress. A few pellets 
or drops of the third, sixth or ninth atten- 
uation dissolved in water, of which a tea- 
spoonful may be given according to cir- 
cumstances, every one, two, or three hours, 
diminishing the frequency of the dose with 
the progress of the improvement. 
Should these symptoms be accompanied 40 
THE CHOLERA 
by remarkable coldness of the extremities, 
or the diarrhoea accompanied with pain, 
a dose of Veratrum would be preferable. 
If such a condition should have been 
induced by overloading the stomach, the 
use of heavy indigestible food, &c., espe- 
cially if we have reason to suspect that the 
offending matter remains yet undigested, 
Ipecac, would be appropriate ; and evacua- 
ting the stomach by means of a cup of 
coffee without sugar or milk, might under 
such circumstances be necessary. 
During the treatment, the thirst may be 
allayed from time to time, by giving small 
portions (sips) of fresh cold water, or ice 
water, and enemas of cold water or starch 
water may be exhibited with advantage, 
should the exigencies of the case require 
them. 
Second stage : Cholera exquisita. During 
this stage it should be borne in mind that 
quietness, repose of body, is of the highest 
possible importance. Every movement of 
the patient, either active or passive, directly 
tends to increase the morbid phenomenon, 
the anguish, the prostration, the cramps 
and the evacuations; hence, though not al- IIOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
41 
ways possible, yet it is in the highest de- 
gree desirable to produce this quietness. 
The patient should be kept in bed, and 
well and sufficiently covered, and use for 
his evacuations a bed-pan under the cover; 
or if obliged to use a close stool by the bed 
side, the room should be warmed, and the 
circumstance considered as prejudical. 
For food, nothing should be allowed but 
unspiced meat broth, and of these the mut- 
ton is the best, next that of chicken. For 
drink, cold water, or even iced water, and of 
this in most cases the patient may drink a 
full supply; and should it not be desirable 
to use the water so profusely, the same end 
may be obtained by keeping small portions 
of ice from time to time in the mouth and 
swallowing them. The ice is not only ex- 
tremely grateful to the patient, but exer- 
cises a specific influence upon the vomiting, 
the constantly recurring cramps, and the 
inextinguishable thirst. It is a favourable 
indication for patients to drink largely of 
cold water. 
When this stage is ushered in with: vio- 
lent and prof use evacuations of rice water 
like fluid, upward and downward; great an- 42 
THE CHOLERA 
guish and oppression of the chest; distorted 
and painful expression of the countenance ; 
icy coldness of the extremities; a pale and 
cold or bluish face; extreme thirst for cold 
water and profuse drinking, and longing af- 
ter icy-cold or acid drinks ; cramps in the 
calves of the legs, fingers and toes ; violent 
pains in the abdomen; pressure in the pre- 
cordia; cold, lifeless, bluish skin covered 
with clammy sweat; hoarse, feeble voice ; 
coldness of the mouth and tongue ; weak, 
small and diminishing pulse, and great 
weakness, Veratrum alb. is the specific 
remedy. A few drops or pellets of the third 
or sixth attenuation, dissolved in water, 
and a teaspoonful of the solution, may be 
given every fifteen, twenty or thirty mi- 
nutes, according to circumstances. During 
the present epidemic of cholera in Europe, 
the Veratrum has fully and even more than 
sustained its former reputation. And while 
some remedies, as the sequel will show, 
have declined in estimation and value, 
owing to a change in the phaze of the dis- 
ease, the worth and influence of this has 
been rising. 
In close proximity to the Veratrum, and HOMCBOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
43 
exceedingly analogous to it in action, we 
have the Arsenicum. The indications for 
its employment are the following : rice wa- 
ter evacuations upward and downward, 
either mixed or not with whitish albumin- 
ous flocks ; great and sudden prostration of 
strength; sinking, very feeble or wanting 
pulse ; painful oppression of the chest and 
difficult respiration; coldness of the ex- 
tremities and surface, while the patient 
complains of terrible heat and burning in 
the precordia, stomach and abdomen; ex- 
treme thirst, yet the patient drinking but 
little at a time; constantly increasing rest- 
lessness, and fearful, deathly anguish, toss- 
ing hither and thither, and throwing off 
the bed-clothes; staring eyes; expression 
of anguish in the face; dry skin; almost 
lost or very hoarse voice, &c. Should the 
Veratrum not produce the desired ameliora- 
tion in a comparatively short time, we shall 
do well to interpose the Arsenicum, espe- 
cially if the sudden prostration of strength, 
collapse of pulse, bur ning pains and anguish, 
slight evacuations, restlessness and drinking 
but little at a time, be present. 
Jatropha curcas. Symptoms for its use 44 
TIIE CHOLERA 
are : Fearful vomiting of profuse masses 
of watery or white of egg-like fluid, pour- 
ing from the mouth like a fountain, with 
spasmodic constrictive pains in the region 
of the stomach, or also with burning in the 
stomach ; continued gushing out of water 
from the anus; cramps in the calves of the 
legs ; general coldness of the entire body, 
&c. The Jatropha, according to Dr. Karl 
ITencke, whose valuable communication 
will be found at the close, is appropriate 
and very efficacious where Veratrum is in- 
dicated, and yet remains without effect. 
Where the lowest attenuations, as for in- 
stance under the fourth, are used in many 
and repeated doses, it commonly produces, 
after the removal of the characteristic ap- 
pearances, a threatening congestion to the 
head ; which should be borne in mind in its 
administration. 
As the Jatropha, c. is unquestionably 
one of our most valuable remedies in the 
cholera, and as we have but a very meagre 
proving of it at best, we will insert from 
Noack & Thinks’ Manual so much of the 
pathogenesis as relates to this subject. 
Among its symptoms we find : spasmodic HOMOEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
45 
appearances; convulsions; sinking and 
great loss of strength ; great lassitude and 
drowsiness; feeling of acridity in the 
throat, by degrees increasing to great vio- 
lence, extending over the stomach and fi- 
nally producing vomiting ; loathing, nau- 
sea, disagreeable feeling of burning in the 
stomach and oesophagus ; violent vomiting 
and purging, with congestion of blood to 
the head ; anguishing burning in the sto- 
mach ; very easy vomiting of matter like 
the white of eggs in large quantities, with 
forcible and violent discharges by stool, ac- 
companied with anguish, coldness of the 
body, clammy sweat, and violent spasmodic 
pains in the legs, and stiff, rigid cramps of 
the calves.*—Violent, excessive evacuations, 
upwards and downwards, with entire ex- 
haustion, spasmodic affections, and death. 
Slight pinchings in the abdomen; in- 
creased discharges by stool. In the morn- 
ing, strong urging as to a diarrhoea stool, 
followed by violent burning in the rectum. 
Often, especially in females and persons 
of a weak, irritable temperament, the Cho- 
lera takes a form which from the predo- 
* From having eaten the seeds, and after the removal of 
the poison from the stomach. 46 
THE CHOLERA 
minance of the cramps may be termed the 
Spasmodic. Here, in addition to all the pe- 
culiarities of the fully-developed Asiatic 
Cholera, we have : cramps and spasms of 
the calves of the legs, the fingers, toes, and 
hands; painful spasms of the abdomen and 
arms, and at times, clenching of the teeth, 
and even general spasms of the whole 
body. There is aching in the precordia, 
and the abdomen is extremely sensitive to 
pressure. In general with this form, the 
evacuations arc less copious, but the spasms 
are the more painful and dangerous. Cu- 
prum metal, finds here its appropriate sphere 
of action, and may be exhibited in fre- 
quently-repeated doses, alone or in alterna- 
tion with another remedy. With this form 
there is less intense thirst for cold drinks, 
but more longing for mild warm fluids. 
This desire may be gratified by giving the 
patient small portions of toast or barley- 
water, or even weak mutton broth. Com- 
pare Secal. 
Another, and during the first invasion of 
the cholera, and while the disease was 
upon the increase, a not unfreqqent form, 
was what may be termed the Paralytic. HOMOEOPATHIC ALLY TREATED. 
47 
This form, from the communication of Dr. 
Hencke, appears to be very prevalent and 
very fatal at the present time in Europe. 
Often within the space of half an hour from 
the first attack, and not unfrequently as a 
termination of one of the other forms or 
stages, we find the following condition: 
The body becomes icy cold and blue, and in 
some cases there is cold sweat upon the 
upper portions of the body and face ; there 
is vertigo ; fainting weakness ; qualmish- 
ness and nausea ; pressure and constrictive 
pain in the precordia ; retching, perhaps 
even vomiting; little or none of the charac- 
teristic evacuations, but on the contrary, a 
constant inclination and urging to stool; 
icy-cold breath ; cramps in the calves of 
the legs; face and lips blue, with an ex- 
pression of anguish ; sinking and even en- 
tire loss of pulse; sudden sinking of 
strength, even falling down and inability 
to stand; hopeless dejection and anguish 
as if he would suffocate; half benumbed 
and insensible, the patient moans and cries 
in a hoarse hollow tone, and when interro- 
gated, tells of terrible burning in the sto- 
mach and throat, and cramping pains in the 48 
THE CHOLERA 
muscles and calves, and screams out on 
being touched in the precordia. There is, 
as a rule, no thirst, no nausea, no vomiting or 
diarrhoea, or these are exceedingly scanty 
and rare. 
When this condition is present, whether 
the patient be stricken down at once, or it 
follow as the termination of one of the 
other stages, Camphor is the remedy. Every 
three or live minutes, two or three drops of 
strong spirits of Camphor should be given 
the patient, either on small bits of sugar, or 
mixed in a teaspoonful of water, and put 
into the icy-cold mouth. 
Meantime small portions of ice, and iced 
water, should be given internally at quickly 
repeated intervals, and the pit of the sto- 
mach, the abdomen, armpits and extremi- 
ties, should be briskly rubbed with camphor 
held in the hollow of the hand. 
A writer in an excellent little treatise be- 
fore me, entitled: Treatment of the Cho- 
lera with ice, by Dr. George Huseman, of 
Wurzburg, Germany, recommends not only 
the internal but also the external applica- 
tion of ice as a remedy in this disease. 
During this stage of collapse, the soles of HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
49 
the feet and lower extremities to the knees, 
and the arms from the shoulder to the 
hands, on the inner surface along the 
course of the large vessels, are to be brisk- 
ly rubbed with pieces of ice three or four 
inches in length. After rubbing them half 
a minute or a minute, the limb is instantly 
to be wiped dry and thickly covered with 
well-warmed clothes, so as to promote the 
return of warmth and vitality. This ope- 
ration may be repeated once in half an 
hour or hour, according to circumstances, 
in conjunction with the other remedies, until 
some degree of warmth and consciousness 
are restored, or until, what is not unfre- 
quently the case, the first phase or stage of 
the disease is again established. Should 
the jaws be spasmodically closed so that 
the Camphor cannot be given by mouth, it 
may be sufficiently administered by vapour 
by pouring the Camphor into a heated 
basin, held so that the vapour will be in- 
haled ; and two teaspoonsful of camphor in 
a half pint of warm water may be given as 
an injection. These extreme measures will 
rarely become necessary, but we give them 
for the sake of completeness. The rubbing 50 
THE CHOLERA 
and kneading- of the extremities with the 
warm hands, which should be performed 
under the bed covering, is of the greatest 
importance, and should by no means be 
neglected. When some degree of warmth 
and the characteristic evacuations are estab- 
lished, the Camphor is no longer serviceable, 
and should be omitted, the room aired so as 
to expel the vapour of Camphor, and the 
Veratrum, Arsenicum, or other remedies, 
will again come in play. 
Should an Asphyctic condition have be- 
come established, as a termination of one 
of the preceding stages, the condition of 
the patient should not be considered as 
altogether hopeless. Here the body of the 
patient is mostly cold, blue, the face cya- 
notic, with visibly increasing blueness ; 
the discharges upwards and downwards 
either entirely suppressed, or discharged 
suddenly and without consciousness; entire 
pulselessness at the wrist, and scarcely 
perceptible strokes of the heart ; slow, 
groaning*, difficult, and icy-cold respiration; 
spasmodic rigidity of the muscles, and fre- 
quently spasm of the jaw. The majority 
of such patients are lost. Garb. Veg., in 51 
HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
homoeopathic hands, has often restored to 
life. It may be given in the higher (18th, 
24th, 30th) attenuation, and frequently re- 
peated. Lobethal says once in five min- 
utes, ? (a few pellets,) in conjunction with 
the rubbing and brushing of the body, and 
use of ice, as above remarked. Should 
the use of the Carbo Veg. not produce the 
desired amelioration, we should have re- 
course to the Kali Hydrocianicum, or also 
the Acidum Hydrocianicum. These may 
possibly yet meet the exigencies of the 
case, and recall the waning spark. 
Secale Cornutum. Indication for its em- 
ployment, according to Dr. Hencke, are : 
Very profuse exhausting discharges by 
stool; violent painful cramps in the feet 
or toes, hands and fingers, which are often 
spread apart and drawn backward towards 
the wrist; spasmodic pressure in the sto- 
mach ; wrinkled, shrunken, cold skin ; cy- 
anotic colour, etc. This species of cramps, 
when they remain after the removal of 
many other appearances by other reme- 
dies, or when they come on from the first, 
are sure indications for its use, and will 
speedily be removed by the smallest doses 
of this remedy. 52 
THE CHOLERA 
Very generally, with the disappearance 
of the usual Cholera discharges, and with 
the return of the normal temperature of the 
skin, after some hours the secretion of the 
kidneys, which during the course of the dis- 
ease had been entirely suppressed, is again 
roused into activity. The discharge of 
urine is generally accompanied by a very 
sensible urging and pressure, which not 
unfrequently increases to a considerable 
pain, and extends not only through the 
urethra, but over the entire abdomen. 
This painful urination and urging, acting 
upon the depressed and irritable system, 
may not only excite great inconvenience, 
but even involve the patient in imminent 
danger: Cantharis, a few pellets dissolved 
in water, of which a spoonful may be 
taken every hour or more seldom, is the 
appropriate remedy. But the efficacy of 
this remedy, according to Dr. Lobethal, 
extends yet farther. When during the 
convalescence in the reaction of the circu- 
lation, there is connected a considerable 
congestion to the vascular system of the 
abdomen, so that an inflammatory action 
is to be feared, Cantharis is the proper HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED 
53 
remedy ; it is also very efficacious in diar- 
rhoeas remaining after Cholera. 
With respect to the secondary diseases 
of Cholera, but little can be said. They 
will most usually be found to take the form 
of the particular chronic weakness or in- 
firmity to which the patient was constitu- 
tionally predisposed before his attack.— 
Hence they may assume almost any form, 
and their successful treatment may demand 
a great range of remedies, each individual 
case being decided by the similarity of the 
pathogenesis of the remedy, and the pecu- 
liarities of the case. But we may however 
remark, that when a case of Cholera seems 
to degenerate into a species of typhus, the 
remedies to be exhibited in accordance 
with the symptoms are : Acid. Phos., Rhus, 
Bry., Bell., Garbo Veg., Opium, Phos., Arsen., 
and also others. 
General debility, such as appears after 
great loss of fluids, and is an almost uni- 
versal sequel of Cholera, is best met by 
China. 
Weakness of the intestinal canal, char- 
acterized by continual liquid stools, without 
pain, and with attending debility, are re- 54 
THE CHOLERA 
moved most certainly by Tinct. Sulph., 
Phosphorus, Acid. Phos., and Secale. 
During the period of convalescence, pa- 
tients must for a considerable period, at 
least for two weeks, use the utmost pre- 
caution in regard to diet. The same rule 
is also applicable to those recovering from 
an attack of Cholerina, as experience 
shows that a relapse may very easily take 
place, which is always more dangerous 
than the original attack. There usually 
remains, for a considerable period, great 
weakness of the intestinal canal, which 
shows a decided irritability to the action 
of any cathartic or laxative medicines. 
These should be especially avoided. The 
diet should be mild, simple, easily digested, 
and nourishing. The use of fruit, acids, 
green vegetables, spirituous drinks, or 
heavy indigestible food, are to be carefully 
guarded against, and every precaution em- 
ployed to prevent taking cold. 
We give now, under seventeen different 
heads, corresponding to all the important 
symptoms of the Cholera, a repertory of 
the various medicines which may come 
into employment in the treatment of this HOMOEOPATHICALLY treated. 
55 
disease; distinguishing, as far as maybe, 
the comparative value of each symptom, 
by the type employed. 
1. Anguish in the chest, deathly anguish : 
ARSEN.,* Camph., Cuprum, Ipecac., Secal., 
Yerat., Aq. frig.,! Acid, phos., Jatropha., 
Carb. veg., Aeon., Bell., Bry., Cicut., 
Phos., Rnus., Stram., Natrum mur. 
2. Indifference : Arsen., Ipecac., Secal., Ve- 
rat., Acid, phos., Phos., Bell., Lauroc., Ci- 
cut., Strain., Natrum mur. 
3. Spasms.—Tonic : Ars., Camph., Cup- 
rum, Ipecac., SECAL., YERAT., Aq. 
frig., Acid, phos., Jatropha, Phos., Aeon., 
Bell., Lauroc., Bry., Cicut., Rhus, Stram. 
4. Spasms—Clonic: ARSEN., Camph., CUPR. 
Ipecac., SECAL., Verat., Acid, phos., Carb. 
veg., Aeon., Laur., Phos., Bell., Bry., 
Cicut., Stram., Nat. mur. 
* Camphor is of no farther use after the usual evacua- 
tions, especially the stools, have become established. 
Nor should persons who carry it with them bo continually 
chewing and smelling it. They may easily bring on a 
Camphor Cholera. 
t The Aqua Frigida, or icy-cold water, referred to in 
the above table, is taken from Nusser’s article; and by it 
we are to understand the internal application of icy-cold 
water as drink, and also its occasional use as a clyster for 
the purpose of moderating the cramps. 56 
the cholera 
5. Pulse ; soft, small,frequent: Ars.,Camph., 
Cuprum, Ipecac., Secal., VERAT., AQ. 
FRIG., Acid, phos., Phos., Carb. Yeg., 
Aeon., Bell., Cicut., Stram., Rhus., Na- 
trum mur. 
6. Skin, inelastic, cold, blue: Ars., Camph., 
Cuprum, Ipecac., Secal., Veratr., AQ. 
FRIG., Jatropha, Rhus, Carb. veg., Nat. 
Mur. 
7. Facies Cholerica : ARSEN., Camph., 
Cuprum, Ipecac., Secal., Yerat., Aq.frig., 
Acid, phos., Phos., Carb. Yeg., Lauroc., 
Aeon., Rhus, Stram. 
8. Tongue, cold, dry, blue: Ars., Camph., 
Secal., Lauroc., Natr. Mur. 
9. Aching. Pressure in the pericordia: Ars., 
Camph., Cuprum, Secal., Yeratr. Aq.frig., 
Acid. Phos., Jatropha, Phos., Carb. veg., 
Aeon., Bell., Rhus., Stram., Natr. mur. 
10. Thirst. Violent, extreme: ARSEN., 
Camph., Cuprum, Ipecac., Secal., YE- 
RATR., Aq. frig., Phos., Lauroc., Aeon., 
Bell., Bry., Cicut., Rhus, Stram., Natrum 
mur. 
11. Evacuations. Serous with white flocks, 
by vomiting: Ars., Camph., Cufr., Ipecac., 
Secal., YERATRUM, Aq. frig., JATRO- 
PHA, Aeon., Bry., Natrum mur. homceopathically treated. 
57 
12. Evacuations. Serous with white flocks, 
by stool: Ars., Camph., Cupr., Ipecac., 
£ec«J., Veratr., JATROPHA, Aeon., Rhus, 
Bry., Natrum mur. 
IS. Suppression of Secretions. Urine, saliva, 
perspiration, etc.: Ars., Camph., Cupr., 
Ipecac., Secal., Veratr., Aq. frig., Carb. 
veg., Lauroc., Bell., Cicut., Rhus., Stram. 
14. Cold Breath : Ars., Camph., Veratr., 
Aq. frig., Carb. Veg., Cicut., Rhus. 
15. Voice, hoarse, rough : Ars., Camph., 
Cuprum, Veratr., Aq. frig., Acid, phos., 
Piios., Carb. Veg., Lauroc., Bell., Bry., 
Cicut., Rhus., Natrum mur. 
16. Aggravation after midnight and to- 
wards morning : ARS., Camph., Cuprum, 
Ipecac., Secal., Veratr., Acid, phos., Phos., 
Carb. Veg., Aeon., Bell., Rhus., Stram., 
Natrum mur. 
17. Amelioration from rest: Ars., Camph., 
Cuprum, Ipecac., Secal., Veratr., Carb. 
veg., Aeon., Bell., Bry., Cicut., Stram. 58 
THE CHOLERA 
We insert the following article, found in 
the “Allgemeine Homoeop. Zeitung” of Oc- 
tober, from the pen of Dr. Karl Hencke, 
which is important in many respects. First 
as exhibiting the variety of phase which the 
Cholera has assumed in its last visitation, and 
as a test of the value of the old remedies and 
as revealing some comparatively new ones, 
and finally as containing the latest intel- 
ligence upon the subject. 
THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN RIGA. 
After many weeks, during which the 
greater portion of the inhabitants experi- 
enced a certain uncomfortableness of body, 
rumbling and borborigmy in the abdomen, 
and an inclination to diarrhoea ; and after 
having had frequent cases of Cholerina, 
with here and there an occasional case of 
Cholera, the disease may be said to have 
broken out suddenly on the 25th of June, 
1848, at which time several cases appeared 
in different parts of the city, whose death 
was made known after a few hours. 
In the first period of the epidemic, 
the Cholera especially assumed the spas- 
modic form: the patients were suddenly 
attacked with cold shivering, even coldness 
By Dr. Karl Hencke. HOMCEOPATHICALLY TEEATED. 
59 
in the back, after which there came on in 
rapid succession: fainting weakness, qualm- 
ishness,- vertigo, nausea, pressure or con- 
stricting pain in the precordia, retching, vo- 
miting, cramp in the calves of the legs, 
principally tonic cramps, (convulsions I have 
never observed,) vanishing of the vital heat, 
hence the hands and the whole body be- 
came cold, sinking of the pulse into entire 
pulselessness, lips become blue, expression 
of anguish in the countenance, &c., and 
sometimes also diarrhoea. If the most 
speedy and appropriate aid was not af- 
forded, the patient died within a few hours 
of sudden paralysis. At this period not a 
few died of apoplexy. 
Camphor is, in this form of the Cholera, 
a true specific. 
The patient was immediately brought to 
his bed, and well and sufficiently covered, 
and perhaps heated bricks applied to him, 
strong spirits of camphor, in drop doses, 
upon sugar, or in sugar water, or some tea, 
was given at intervals of 5 minutes, until 
the vital warmth returned and sweat made 
its appearance ; and then the patient must 
remain quiet and be unmolested, if he should 
remain in such condition even two or three 
days. The muscles attacked with cramp 
were rubbed or kneaded with the warm 
hands under the covering. During the 60 
THE CHOLERA 
sweating, as often as the cramp returned, 
we gave one drop of the spirits of Cam- 
phor. 
We# have found it advantageous, with 
every new dose of Camphor, to ascend to 
a higher number in the scale of attenuation. 
In November, the previous year, 1847, 
through our advice and instruction for the 
treatment of this disease, many persons car- 
ried the Camphor upon their persons ; and 
upon the first symptoms of an attack, such 
as : vertigo, pressure at the stomach, with or 
without gagging or retching, cramps in the 
calves of the legs, 6pc., immediately employed 
it by smelling, and internally upon sugar, 
with such distinguished success both upon 
themselves and others, that the patient was 
soon covered with sweat, and the farther 
progress of the disease arrested. 
But the Cholera soon showed itself in 
another form. It came on often from the 
neglected or inappropriate treatment of the 
spasmodic Cholera, often from a slight, 
painless, and hence neglected diarrhoea of 
one or two days’ standing; seldom as a ter- 
mination of the Cholerina, hut far more fre- 
quently it appeared of itself, independent of 
precursors. Apparently sound healthy men 
were suddenly, and most frequently at 
* The homoeopathic physicians of Riga, Dr. Brutzer, 
Dr. Semble, Dr. Riedel and Dr. Hencke. HOMfEOPATIIICALLY TREATE0. 
61 
night during sleep, or in the morning soon 
after rising, attacked with violent pressure 
or cramp in the stomach; the face assumed 
a peculiar expression, full of anguish, with 
fainting weakness, and two or three pain- 
less ivatcry stools were passed in rapid suc- 
cession. Very soon, often within half an 
hour or hour, the pressure of the stomach 
increased, nausea and qualmishness came 
on, the hands became cold, the warmth of 
the body disappeared, very painful tonic 
cramps set in, first in the calves, and soon 
in the other muscles, the abdomen, chest 
and back, yet more frequently however in 
the lower and upper extremities; retching 
and vomiting, which was always frequent 
and copious, so that immense masses of fluid 
like cucumber water were thrown from the 
mouth. The watery stools were discharged 
forcibly and in rapid succession, and the 
abdomen so caved in that the ribs were 
strongly protruded. 
After a few hours, the patient could no 
longer maintain an upright position, the 
muscles became relaxed, soft, and doughy 
upon feeling them; the surface drew up 
into spasmodic knots here and there, which 
were very painful; the feet were often 
drawn sideways, the toes retracted; the 
fingers often pressed widely asunder, or 
bent back towards the wrist; the tempera- 62 
THE CHOLERA 
ture of the skin was cold, the hands and 
face icy cold ; the tongue was cold, broad, 
heavy, and often blue ; the breath cold, the 
speech thick, indistinct, hoarse ; the counte- 
nance fallen in, contracted, the eyes sunken 
and surrounded with dark blue circles ; 
cheeks and lips blue ; hands and arms al- 
most dark blue, so that the patient ap- 
peared like one affected with cyanosis ; the 
skin of the hands, fingers, and toes became 
contracted and shrivelled up, and elsewhere 
formed into folds ; entire pulselessness at 
the wrist, the pulsations of the heart scarcely 
perceptible to the ear, only a slight throb- 
bing discernible at the precordia ; the pit of 
the stomach, painful upon external pres- 
sure. The vomiting was not copious, but 
yet frequent; the lluid discharged was water 
with whitish flocks, often like small pieces 
of tallow, at times only pure water ; the 
stools were frequent, often involuntary and 
not remarked by the patient, although he 
retained entire consciousness ; the dis- 
charges became more like rice water, and 
were either scentless or cadaverous, or 
smelling like stagnant water. Inextinguish- 
able thirst, internal heat with objective 
coldness of the body, inquietude, anguish, 
tossing hither and thither, with cold clam- 
my sweat. The cramps and evacuations 
by degrees abate, only small involuntary IIOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
63 
stools pass off; the coldness, blueness and 
pulselessness increase, and death takes 
place mostly from paralysis of the lungs, 
within 4, G, 12 to 24 hours. 
All Cholera patients complained of pains 
in the loins ; hardness of hearing was very 
general; burning in the stomach was more 
seldom complained of than pressure and 
spasmodic pain; bile and bilious matter 
was wanting in all the secretions; and later 
when it became apparent in the stools, and 
matter vomited, it was by no means a sure 
indication of returning convalescence; the 
secretion of urine was entirely suppressed, 
and often there was painful urinary tenes- 
mus without any discharge ; pains in the 
abdomen, or great sensibility of the abdo- 
men, (excepting the precordia,) was never 
present in the Cholera, though perhaps 
often present in the Cholerina; the sweat 
is critical and important in the spasmodic 
Cholera, and even also in the beginning of 
the second, I may say cyanotic form ; but it 
is never of consequence in the farther ex- 
tension of the progress of the disease, and 
even injurious from exhausting the strength, 
and we have seen patients restored with- 
out any appearance of sweat. Patients 
with whom there is no vomiting, or only 
retching, with a few slight discharges of 
watery fluid, are, prognostically, more un- 64 
THE CHOLERA 
favourable than where there is tenesmus 
with very slight discharges. Patients with 
vomiting of copious masses of water, have 
a more favourable prognosis, than where 
the diarrhoea predominates. Patients, who 
with the commencing return of vital heat 
are very unquiet, and continually turn and 
twist about, seldom recover. Those pa- 
tients who relapse during convalescence, 
and those who have recovered, and after 
some days are again attacked with the 
Cholera, die almost without exception. 
Drunkards and tipplers, when they have 
lived through the first attack of Cholera, 
die in the stage of convalescence with typhus 
affections of the brain. Patients with af- 
fections of the chest, after having the Cho- 
lera, find very commonly a tuberculous dis- 
ease developed which proves fatal. Men 
who have lived in the practice of excessive 
venery, having lived through the Cholera, 
do not easily recover, but die slowly but 
not less surely of exhaustion, generally re- 
maining free from diarrhoeic discharges. 
The Cholera attacks persons from all 
ranks, of every sex, of every age; childhood 
and old age remain no longer exempt, and 
pregnancy affords no protection ; yet coarse 
errors in diet, gluttony, drunkenness, ne- 
glected diarrhoea, chills, fear, grief, fright, 
and above all, passion, prove the etiological HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
65 
or exciting causes of the attack. The use 
of champagne has proved very prejudicial, 
as well as all kinds of fermenting liquors 
or beer, fruit, cucumbers, melons, &c.# 
During convalescence there is often a 
great longing after beer, acid food, &c., 
which may be allowed in moderation, and 
is indeed sometimes demanded. 
The most important remedies in this epi- 
demic of Cholera were : Camphor, Secal., 
Veratrum, Arsenicum. Instead of the Lau- 
rocerasus we find more indications for 
Acidum Hydrocyanicum or Kali Hydro- 
cyanicum. 
Jatropha curcas has been sufficiently 
proved among us, as a very important and 
surely acting remedy against the Cholera. 
To give the indications for the well 
known Cholera remedies appears to us al- 
most superfluous, yet we will in a few 
words give those which have been our 
guides in practice. Here follow the indi- 
cations for Jatropha, Veratrum, Arsenicum 
and Secal., which do not differ from those 
which we have given. 
Kali Ilydrocianicum, also Acid. Hydroci- 
* In a family of 7 persons, who partook of a supper of 
sour milk and very imprudently ate with it cucumbers, 
all nearly died during the same night; 5 were brought to 
the hospital in the morning yet living, but died in a few 
hours, and the other two had died before the morning 
dawned. 66 
THE CHOLERA 
anicum: With entire pulselessness, scarcely 
audible beatings of the heart, slow, groan- 
ing, difficult respiration ; coldness of the 
body ; constantly, visibly-increasing blue- 
ness of the face, rigidity of the muscles, 
spasm of the jaws, with which the vomiting 
disappears, the stools are discharged invo- 
luntarily, etc.; with such symptoms these re- 
medies, and they are almost alone, yet effect 
something. In two similar cases, but where 
the spasms yet prevailed and affected the 
abdominal muscles, I found more help from 
Plumb, aceticum, of which remedy I might 
make some remarks. 
Camphor spirits. This remedy has proved a 
true specific in the so-called spasmodic chole- 
ra ; in the cholera vertigo; and cholera cramp 
of the stomach ; with and without retching 
and vomiting, and even in the beginning of 
every form of the cholera; as long as the 
spasmodic symptoms predominate, (provi- 
ded the characteristic copious discharges, 
especially by stool, have not yet come on,) 
the body is cold, also perhaps pulselessness 
is present, but the cyanotic condition yet 
not far advanced. In cases where much 
medicine or numerous things have been 
given, we shall do well to give our doses of 
camphor in rapid succession. 
Had Hahnemann, the venerable master 
of our art, made known nothing farther HOMCEOPATH1CALLY TREATED. 
67 
than this, the remedy which at the commence- 
ment of the attack of cholera so surely affords 
help, he would have deserved the lasting 
gratitude of the whole human family. For 
how much besides this has our race, and 
the medical profession, yet to thank him ! 
Would it not be well for those physicians 
who so willingly sit in judgment upon the 
trifling weaknesses of our great master, 
to take this to heart ? 
For Cuprum metalicum and aceticum, I, at 
least in this epidemic, have found but few 
indications ; and where I have essayed it, 
have seen no action. 
Acidum phosphorus is preferable to the 
Phos., in the secondary diseases of the cho- 
lera, and in the cholerina, where there are 
watery discharges with rumbling and bor- 
borigmy in the abdomen, pain in the navel 
region, audible rumbling in the abdomen 
upon pressing the hand upon the heart, and 
stitches in the left side of the chest, &c. 
Ferrum aceticum, with painless diarrhoea, 
coming on a short time after the use of 
food or drink. In similar cases but with 
colic pains, Colocynth answers ; at times 
also Veratrum. 
Rhus tox. In the typhus condition with 
dry tongue, brownish, often involuntary 
stools, especially during the night. 
It is self-evident that the numerous forms 68 
THE CHOLERA 
of secondary diseases require yet many 
other remedies than those named above. 
With reference to the dose, and the ad- 
ministration of the remedy, I can say no- 
thing farther, than that we have found it 
appropriate to give the indicated remedy 
in a quantity of water, a teaspoonful at a 
time, and also in divided doses. If the same 
remedy must be repeated, we give the re- 
medy at every repetition a number higher, 
and with better success than when we con- 
tinue at the same dilution. 
The high potences I have employed in 
two cases, certainly with the most distin- 
guished success: after the first storm passed 
over, the vital warmth again returned. I 
had not the courage to bring them into em- 
ployment from the commencement, al- 
though, from extensive experience, I can 
bear witness that the sure and remarkable 
action of the high potences is no idle fancy 
of the brain. Those physicians who, with- 
out careful proving of this least interesting 
observation, that the medicinal powers of a 
drug once brought into action, like the 
magnet, never cease to be efficacious, and 
yet ridicule and smile at high potences, do 
but condemn themselves and move into the 
position of those physicians who con- 
demn homoeopathy without having test- 
ed it. HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
69 
The cholera is with us visibly on the de- 
cline, but by no means yet gone. Other dis- 
eases, for instance, intermitting fevers, &c., 
which were wholly suppressed by the cho- 
lera, are again making their appearance. 
Of the contagiousness of the cholera there 
can be nothing new said from the expe- 
rience gained in this epidemic ; it is by no 
means proved. 
Riga, August 26, 1848. 
Dr. Hencke. 
SHORT NOTICE OF THE CHOLERA 
IN PETERSBURG!!, RUSSIA. 
Taken from several letters from physicians and laymen 
addressed to Dr. Griesselieh. 
The number of victims daily of the cho- 
lera is very great, and is given in the let- 
ters at various amounts, according to their 
different dates ; the sum would be yet far 
greater, if the number of those who had 
fled from the city were not so large. The 
writers all concur in this, that Veratrum 
has proved the most essential remedy; all 
the others avail less, even little or nothing, 
its for instance, the Ipecac, and Camphor; 
some of the writers mention the Tabac. and 
Jatropha; Arsenic is especially praised by 70 
THE CHOLERA 
none. The Veratrum has gained itself such 
renown, that the allceopathie physicians 
and apothecaries are “half crazed,” (thisis 
the term used in one of the letters), and 
come running to the homoeopathic apothe- 
caries to obtain this remedy. The allopa- 
thic practice has been wholly unsuccess- 
ful, and their most distinguished remedies 
are quite unavailing, yet many writers 
among them praise “strong rubbing.” 
Acidum phosphoricum, (and in this all 
concur,) affords excellent service in the 
cholerina ; the diarrhoea disappears quick- 
ly ; but upon the appearance of vomiting it 
is of no farther use. This cholera diarrhoea, 
according to every writer, must at once be 
subdued. 
It should be borne in mind, that the cho- 
lera, in different epidemics, and at different 
localities during the same epidemic, usually 
manifests material varieties in its phase of 
character. Hence we find practitioners in 
one locality praising some remedies, and 
omitting, or even detracting others ; Avhile 
those in another locality will entertain 
quite different views of the comparative va- 
lue of remedies, based upon their experience. 
The key of this diversity of opinion is to be 
found in the variety of phase exhibited by 
the disease, and the from thence greater in- HOMCEOPATHICALLY TREATED. 
71 
dication for, and adaptation to, the one re- 
medy rather than another. The want of 
efficacy in the action of a medicine is more 
from a lack of adaptation to the phase of 
disease for which it is selected, than from a 
want of intrinsic value in the remedy it- 
self. 
If the cholera shall visit our country, of 
which there is now a very great probabi- 
lity, it is not at all probable that it will re- 
tain the same form or manifest the same 
phase of symptoms as upon its previous vi- 
sit, or even as it now exhibits in Europe. 
Its essentials will be the same, but its 
slighter shades, and those which determine 
the choice of one good cholera remedy 
more than another, will be varied. Hence 
it is only by reference to the pathogenesis 
of the drug, that we can be always suc- 
cessful. Such a thing as an absolute spe- 
cific for cholera, any more than for the 
headache or intermittent fever, cannot be 
found. 
We have given in our list, and short re- 
pertory, all the remedies which have been 
employed by hommopathic physicians in 
this disease, but it is quite probable that 
there are others which may play a secon- 
dary or even principal part in its treat- 
ment. Dr. Jeanes of Philadelphia is of opi- 
nion that Natrum muriaticum is one of the 72 
THE CHOLERA, ETC. 
most important medicines for cholera. 
This he infers, from the effect of the 
saline cathartics upon the mucous mem- 
branes, causing the rapid discharge of 
large quantities of serous fluid, extreme 
thirst, great dryness of the mouth and 
tongue, with prostration of strength, &c., 
and from the effects of a meal of over- 
salted food. 
Dr. Hering is of the opinion that Sul- 
phur is an important remedy, not only as a 
prophylactic, but in the treatment of the 
disease itself; but as his views are based 
upon his observations and opinions, which 
we could not offer in detail, we simply con- 
tent ourselves with mentioning the fact, 
and calling the attention of practition- 
ers to that. 
We do not offer these suggestions be- 
cause we entertain doubts as to the efficacy 
of the usually employed homoeopathic re- 
medies, for we believe that there is no fact 
better established in medical history than 
the triumphant treatment of the cholera 
with homoeopathic medicines. But we offer 
them in order to direct the attention of phy- 
sicians to the necessity of studying the epi- 
demic character and peculiarities of the dis- 
ease. 
THE END.