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.

by John Wilson

Transcribed from the 1849 Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. edition by David Price. Many thanks to the British Library for making their copy available.

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.

BY

JOHN WILSON, M.D., F.R.S.,

INSPECTOR OF NAVAL HOSPITALS AND FLEETS.

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., LONDON;
LEGG, GOSPORT.

1849.

TREATMENT OF CHOLERA.

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:—