Treatment of Cholera in the Royal Hospital, Haslar / during the months of July and August, 1849, with remarks on the name and origin of the disease.

Transcribed from the 1849 Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. edition by David Price. Many thanks to the British Library for making their copy available.
JOHN WILSON, M.D., F.R.S.,
INSPECTOR OF NAVAL HOSPITALS AND FLEETS.
SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., LONDON; LEGG, GOSPORT.
1849.
On admission the patient was immediately placed in a hot bath, from 104° to 112° of Fahrenheit, in relation to the reduction of circulatory power, and of superficial heat; diligent friction of the abdomen and extremities, according to the place and violence of the spasms, being at the same time practiced. The measure seldom failed, except in cases of extreme collapse, to excite some warmth, abate cramps, and lessen suffering, at least, for a time.
While in the bath, or as soon as carried from it, a drachm of tincture of opium, in aromatic water, was administered. If, as almost invariably happened, the draught was instantly rejected, the proper practice of the hospital was forthwith commenced and steadily pursued. It consisted of the following means:—
Two grains of calomel, in bolus, every hour, or every half hour.
Half a drachm of oil of turpentine, in two ounces of mucilage, repeated every hour, or every second hour; most frequently the last. In one instance it was given every half hour.
An enema, consisting of two ounces of oil of turpentine, two drachms of tincture of opium, three ounces of mucilage, and three ounces of camphor mixture, repeated according to circumstances.
Friction applied to cramped parts assiduously, and as forcibly as could be borne, with turpentine and olive oil.
Such, in brief, was the treatment adopted and relied on, though various auxiliaries were, from time to time, and in different cases, employed.