Richard Brown, Esq., surgeon, Cobham, Surrey, November, 1848, reports a case treated successfully by rectified oil of turpentine, the therapeutic character of which is unquestionable.

Dr. Massie, of Texas, adopted a similar principle of practice, and highly commended the same to his professional brethren, as the safest, best, and most efficient in the treatment of the cholera. He affirms, that of all the modes devised for the prevention and cure of this disease, none is so simple and efficacious as the one exhibited in his practice.

The homœopathic treatment, which claims to be a complete and perfect system, arranged and adopted by its originator and all his disciples, confirms the correctness of the doctrine we have advanced. Its curative principle in the treatment of cholera is based on a prompt and diffusive stimulant, peculiarly adapted, so far as it has any power, to meet and relieve the essential symptoms of this disease. Hence its success and favorable results, which show a saving of nearly nine-tenths of all the cases treated.

Again, the eclectic physicians, who now, including all of the reform school, constitute a majority of the practitioners of medicine in this country, adopted a principle essentially similar, which has governed their practice in the treatment of this disease from its first appearance in 1832. Their system seems to have been more strictly conformed to the pathology of the cholera than that of any other school. Hence, their unparalleled success furnishes the most substantial and conclusive evidence, sustaining the correctness of the doctrine we have adduced, and the general principle of rational practice suggested and imperatively demanded by the pathology of the disease. Their treatment, directed mainly to the relief of the essential symptoms, has been based on a prompt and diffusive stimulant, which, fulfilling to some extent the indications required, has enabled them to meet the disease on each occasion of its reappearance with some assurance of success, and more generally to arrest its progress or subdue its power as exhibited in its several stages, and even in many instances to restore the patient and save life in the last stage of the almost hopeless collapse. This is clearly shown in the actual results which fully exhibit the incomparable fact that in private practice considerably more than nine-tenths of the cases of "true cholera" are cured, and the constitution and health of their patients saved unimpaired.

Again, this doctrine is substantially confirmed by the results of the experiments made by Drs. Hill and Davies, in the exhibition of chloroform, either alone or combined with other stimulants. In the carefully detailed account of its exhibition in the various stages of the disease, it is clearly shown that its direct action tends to arrest and suspend the depressing influence of the primary cause, and when properly combined with other stimulants, affords very prompt relief. The favorable results thus obtained encourage the hope that it may prove a successful remedy and lead to the adoption of a more consistent mode of practice in the treatment of epidemic cholera. In India, in Europe, and in America, it is now regarded as a very important remedy, and especially indicated in this disease. As an antidote to miasmatic poison, and as a prompt and diffusive stimulant when properly combined, it is admirably calculated to meet and suspend the most urgent symptoms. In short, it may be considered, in relation to this disease, an excellent therapeutic agent, and well calculated to form the base of the principle for which we contend.

But again, our doctrine is confirmed by the experiment usually termed "venous transfusion." The solution of soda, when raised to a temperature from 105° to 120° Fahr., and injected into the veins of the suffering patient, gave temporarily prompt and immediate relief; but, when injected at a lower temperature, failed. In this experiment, the sole and only agent contributing to the result was, as before explained, the free caloric which immediately permeated every tissue, supplied warmth to the body, relieved the depressed nerve-power, equalized the circulation, and restored generally the normal action of the system. Of this result, and of the diffusive and prompt stimulating power of free caloric, there can be no question. The principle here evolved, which answered so perfectly the imperious demand and so immediately suspended the power of the disease, is the very principle dictated by its pathology. Stronger and better evidence of the utility of a prompt and diffusive stimulant, permanent in its character and influence, cannot be furnished; one that will act kindly, without violence and without any disturbance to any organ or tissue, to injure or delay the return of immediate and perfect health after the disease is subdued. Such we affirm to be the principle demanded in the successful treatment of the epidemic cholera.

Section II.—Remedies, Recipes, etc.

Considering the general principle of treatment, and the nature of the remedy so clearly suggested by the pathology of the disease to be fully established, it now remains for us to point out some of those curative agents which may be employed to advantage. It may be here observed, that among the few that can be confidently recommended, there is no single remedy yet discovered which seems to possess all the properties necessary to meet the complex condition presented in a malignant case of cholera. Yet it is believed we have simple remedies, which, when properly combined, will prove successful. Among the number that seem best adapted to meet and fulfill the indications, may be named chloroform, as the leading remedy on which we may reasonably hope for success. This may be united with spirits of camphor, the tincture of xanthoxyli fraxinifolii bacca, the compound fluid extract of rhubarb and potassa,[XVII] and the oil of monarda punctata, and a very valuable and reliable remedy obtained. The following formula exhibits the mode of combination, which may be varied and adapted to suit any emergency:

℞.Chloroform,(sq.,)ʒ ij.
Spirits Camph.,ʒ j.
Ol. Monarda,gtts. x.
M. et adde—
Tinc. Xanthox. Frax. Bac.,℥ ij.
Fluid Ext. Rhei et Potas.,℥ iv.

M.—S.—From ʒ j. to ℥ ss. every half-hour, hour or two hours, according to the urgency of the symptoms and the stage of the disease. As soon as relief is obtained, it should be given in minimum doses and less frequently. This is admirably adapted to the cold stage, and will give prompt relief in a great majority of cases.