Cholera
a Greek term used in the Hippocratic writings, but of indeterminate etymology, being derived perhaps from chole, bile, or from cholera, a water-spout, or gutter. It is now universally employed in medicine as indicating one of two or three forms of disease, characterized by vomiting and purging, followed by great prostration of strength, amounting in severe cases to fatal collapse. The variety called cholera sicca (dry cholera), by ancient writers, in which collapse and death take place without discharges, is comparatively rarely observed. The milder forms of Cholera occur almost every summer and autumn, even in temperate ter latitudes, while the more devastating and fatal forms of the disease are generally supposed to originate only in tropical countries especially in Indiaand thence to be propagated epidemically over vast populations, and in a somewhat irregular geographical course.
The very fatal forms of the disease are commonly called Asiatic, Oriental, or Epidemic Cholera; sometimes Cholera Morbus, or Pestilential Cholera. The great Hindu festivals take place every 20 years, and always commence on April 12. The danger of the conveyance of Cholera to the countries of Europe is largest at these periods. Cholera never originates at Mecca, but is always conveyed there from Hindustan; but fortunately the Mecca festivals rarely coincide in incide in date with those of India. What is called Cholera morbus is a bilious disease, long known in most countries, and is characterized by copious vomiting and purging, with violent griping, cramps of the muscles of the abdomen and lower extremities, and great depression of strength. It is most prevalent at the end of summer or the beginning of autumn. Cholera infantum (infants' cholera) is the name sometimes given to a severe and dangerous diarrhea to which infants are liable in hot climates or in the hot season.
It is now beyond question that cholera, or Asiatic cholera as it is usually called, is caused by the growth of a germ, Vibrio cholera, discovered by Koch in 1883. During epidemics this organism is found in the intestinal canal of healthy persons, as well patients, so it is clear that the germ ease. as cholera alone is not sufficient to cause the dis- Its malignancy appears to depend upon a run-down or weakened condition of the body. If this exists death may follow within twenty-four hours. In a well person the presence of the vibrio may cause no sickness. These cholera carriers, well themselves, but alive with germs, may play an important part in the spread of the disease. It is now generally believed that insects, and particularly flies, are agents in spreading cholera. They infect exposed foods with the vibrio; water and milk also carry infection during epidemics, as well as raw vegetables. Prevention is largely a matter of situation, and the protection from pollution of food, milk and water.
Treatment. A number of sera have been tried as prophylactics and cures.
That of Kolle has given some success, but Haffkine's is the best known and probably the most efficient up to date.
The latter is prepared by passing probably the most efficient up to date. The latter is prepared by passing bits, and growing the final product on an artificial culture medium. The arbits, and growing the final product on into the human body. Persons so vaccinated are somewhat less likely to contract cholera than the unvaccinated, and the protection is said to last about fournated are somewhat less likely to con- tract cholera than the unvaccinated, and pared by spraying artificial cultures over broths, then incubating the latter at body temperatures, and finally filterthe protection is said to last about four- teen months. Strong's vaccine is pre- (an unglazed porcelain filter worked by pared by spraying artificial cultures over broths, then incubating the latter at body temperatures, and finally filtergerms and gives a sterile pro ing the product through a Reichel candle (an unglazed porcelain filter worked by cholera, however, is still in the experimental stage. product for a vacuum pump), which extracts all the germs and gives a sterile product for inoculation. The vaccine treatment of of the Mexican State of Puebla, stands nearly 7,000 feet above sea-level, on the tableland of Anahuac, 55 miles E. S. E. of the city of Mexico. Cortes found in CHOPIN a great center of the Aztec religion. it 40,000 houses and 400 temples, including the great Teocalli. Now the place only contains 9,000 inhabitants. It was