“Few, if any, recoveries take place until the temperature falls; this fall is usually attended by rain; but this does not seem to be essential, the fall of temperature alone being sufficient to bring about a better state of things. When the temperature falls, cases improve and new cases cease to appear. Sewer emanations do not seem to have anything directly to do with the production of disease, except so far as they tend to impair the general health, and thus diminish the power of the system to resist any disease producing influence, and sewer poisons are no less abundant and deadly at other times than they are when cholera infantum cases are most numerous, and this is the time of year above others when the sewers are abundantly ‘flushed.’”
Filth he does not consider is any more abundant in the summer, and the disease declines with the increase of the very rains that favor increased decomposition. He does not attach much importance to unripe fruits as a causative element. “For whoever saw a youngster who would not exchange all his earthly possessions for a green apple, and whoever saw a child in good health injured by an unripe apple or by any quantity not altogether unreasonable?” And then the sufferers from cholera infantum are all under two years, and hence have not arrived at the green-fruit eating stage of their existence.
Nine tables are constructed, showing the weekly mortality from cholera infantum in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Chicago, and also as far as possible the record of thermometric range. An analysis of the table bears out the author’s views as regards the causative influence of continued high temperature.
He thinks there are some points of striking resemblance between this disease and sunstroke, so much as to suggest a pathological relationship. 1st. The same conditions seem to be sufficient for and essential to the development of each. 2. They come and go together. 3. The development is gradual and the recovery is slow in each, showing a profound impression made on the living-power of the patient. 4. The explosive character of the attack under the cumulative effects of continued high temperature with the sudden severe or fatal prostration consequent.
“Wash your children well with cold water twice a day, and oftener in the hot season,” is the direction of the New York Board of Health, and Dr. Miller thinks if this one prescription were carried out, cholera infantum cases could be well nigh eliminated from the mortality reports. He thinks it worth while to inculcate among our patrons that however important it may be to take special care in feeling, this will not be sufficient alone, to carry the infant safely through the high temperature of July and August; and we would try to have the people study to keep the little ones cool, and the means recommended is cool-bathing or cool-sponging. Medicines are not of much use if the surroundings are cool.
SOCIETY MATTERS.
The subject selected by the Medical Society at the last meeting in Goldsborough, was Spondylitis. They were fortunate in selecting Dr. M. Whitehead as the essayist. It seems to us it would be more agreeable to the essayist, to allow him to select his own theme, and provided he announced it in advance of the meeting, it would answer the same purpose.
The annual oration will be delivered by Dr. W. W. Lane, of Wilmington, upon a subject not announced.
The Society expects from these gentlemen rare entertainment and instruction.