oAstatic Cholera: Its Treatment by Hahnemannian Homoeopathy ‘By GEORGE H. CLARK, M. D. qAstatic Cholera: Its Treatment by Hahnemannian Hornce apathy "By GEORGE H. CLARK, M. D. CJ-HIS little work is intended for my patients. Having enjoyed the blessings of pure Hahne- mannian Homoeopathy, these few pages will show them they may still expect to reap its benefits— even though that dreaded scourge, Cholera, should appear. GEORGE H. CLARK. West Walnut Lane, Germantown, Philadelphia, March, 1893. INTRODUCTION. The probabilities are that our country may be vis- ited by Cholera during the coming summer. With this visitation in view it is well that we should all be prepared to meet the scourge by knowing more about it than can be gained from ordinary sources. The teachings of old-school doctors on this sub- ject, as well as on many others, are altogether erro- neous, and it is hoped the following pages will prove that not only are their ideas regarding the nature of the disease wrong, but that their treatment of it is harmful and causes many deaths. It is acknowledged on all hands that Cholera is a filth disease; that it finds the most of its victims in large cities, and particularly in the slums ; that in the ordinary sense it is not contagious and that those who follow correct habits of living, with good sani- tary surroundings, are seldom attacked and if they should be stricken the affection is usually mild. Hence, it will be seen, there is no occasion for alarm on the part of those who live as they should, and whose surroundings, both in and out of the house, are correct sanitarily. People generally have the idea—thanks to the false teachings of allopathy—that Cholera, and many 3 other diseases are caused by microbes. These mi- crobes are thought by the many to be minute animals or insects, but they are vegetable organisms, and like all vegetable life they flourish only on a suitable soil. That they are found in various parts of the human organism while it is suffering from disease is no argument in favor of their being the cause of the malady. The suitable soil for their growth is the disease-weakened body, and they are a product of disease and not the cause * The late Dr. P. P. Wells, of Brooklyn, said : ‘'lt is not a little likely they sustain the same relation to disease as the green, busy flies do to the dead car- cass, they so constantly seek and infest. No one accuses them of having killed the horse. ’ ’ It is claimed that Cholera is caused by a certain class of microbes, known as bacilli, and that these, finding their way into the stomach and intestines *The attempt to fix upon the cause of diseases is in keeping with the crude, material ideas of allopathy. Homoeopathy, with its successes with potentized remedies, has shown that disease is not a ponderable substance ; that it is not a thing; but that it is a condition; and that crude drugs have no curative, but only hurt- ful, powers. Disease can simply be defined as a departure from health. All the other theories that have ever been advanced regarding its nature have borne no fruit, and they have only been put forth to be soon forgotten and then followed by others as worthless. The history of allopathy is but a series of theories and crazes similar to the Koch lynjph theory regarding consumption and its cure. They advocate one thing to-day, and something else to-morrow. They have no law to guide them. 4 through the media of water and food, will set up an attack of the disease. The celebrated scientist, von Pettenkofer, of Munich, during the past summer, while Cholera was raging in Germany, swallowed many millions of these organisms and was not in the least harmed. In order that there should be no impediment to their action, as they are said to be killed in an acid medium, he took a solution of soda immediately before swallowing the bacilli. F. von Pettenkofer is over seventy years of age. His assistant followed his example, with the same re- sult. Thus, if former experience with diseases said to be due to microbes, did not enable the Homoeopathi- cian to declare the affection not to be caused by microbes, these experiments should be sufficient to settle the question. When the epidemic appeared in 1892, in Europe, it was boastfully asserted by the allopaths that, hav- ing discovered the cause of the disease they would readily find its curative. And yet the mortality during that epidemic was as great as it had been in epidemics of fifty years ago, the number dying being from forty to seventy (40 to 70) per cent! When the disease first appeared they boasted, having so miraculously found its cause, that they would come off with flying colors. They did ; but the colors were black, the colors of the undertaker and the grave-digger. 5 Since that time they have owned in their journals, that they have made no progress in the treatment of Cholera in the past hundred years, and we are obliged to agree with them. All this is but in keeping with the results of the treatment of consumptives with their so-broadly advertised tuberculin, which proved not only worth- less but the cause of many deaths. It is but in keeping with their treatment, by vile drugs, of most diseases. Witness the number of deaths attributed by them to la grippe. This disease of itself, we boldly assert after having treated many cases during the several epidemics, did not cause one death ; the undertakers were kept busy as a result of old-school treatment. And yet, these men who keep the under- taker in business, arrogate to themselves the term “regular” physician, and cry out against the fol- lowers of Hahnemann, who, with the law discovered by Hahnemann’s genius, go about curing the sick and saving many precious lives. How contrast the results of old-school treatment of Cholera with what is known of the effect of homoeopathic treatment in this scourge.* *We mean by homoeopathic treatment only that which follows the law governing homoeopathy. For homoeopathy is based upon a law of Nature. This law forbids the treating of disease by name, but demands that each individual patient’s condition must be carefully inquired into, and the remedy required by that condition must be given And given not in a crude form, but so prepared that the healthy parts of the organisms will not be dis- turbed, and Nature not be overpowered in her efforts. This treatment has nothing to do with that so-called homoeo- pathic treatment, where drugs as noxious as those given by the 6 This law of nature—similia similibus curantur■— enabled Hahnemann, before he had seen a case of cholera, after he had been made acquainted with its symptoms, to point out the class of remedies that would be useful for its cure. This was about 1830. So unerring is the law, it was found, when the epidemic reached Germany, that Hahnemann was correct, and his faithful followers have, in each suc- ceeding epidemic, used the same remedies with un- paralleled success. Should an epidemic of cholera appear here this year—or any other year—these remedies will be found as serviceable as ever, and simply because they have been and will be given according to this law of nature. In 1854-55, Dr. Rocco Rubini, of Naples, Italy, a Homoeopathician, treated, according to this law, three hundred and seventy-seven (377) cases of Asiatic cholera without a single death! “Most of the cases were treated in military or other hospitals, and the facts are certified to by the officers in command.” Again, in 1884, Dr. Rubini treated several hundred cases, and he lost but one out of every two hundred cases treated ! Contrast this with allopathic mortality in 1892, 40 to 70 per cent! drugging allopaths are often used under the name of beneficent, mild, gentle, powerful homoeopathy. This false practice should not be confounded with the genuine; for the true, the pure is guided by law, while the other is but guess-work. 7 The experience of this one man is sufficient to show the superiority of Homoeopathy, based upon law, over allopathy, based upon empiricism. The one (homoeopathy) is to be likened to the skilful mariner, guiding his ship, laden with human lives, by law; the other (allopathy) is like men at sea in an open boat without compass or rudder, trusting and hoping they may be able to reach port, but unable to see how it can be done—only, in the one case lives are saved, in the other lives are lost. Not only has Homoeopathy shown what it can do in cholera, but epidemics of the most malignant diseases have been met, and in every instance Homoeopathy has won a glorious victory. In the following pages it is not intended to theo- rize regarding the nature and cause of cholera; only facts will be given. Homoeopathy deals only in facts; theory has no place in one of nature’s laws, more particularly in that one relating to the cure of the sick. 8 PREVENTIVES OF CHOLERA. The best preventives of cholera are a tranquil mind, and correct habits of living. The latter include food, clothing, a proper amount of sleep, and cleanliness of the body, and of the house and its surroundings. The mind is a powerful factor in influencing the body. Fear is a depressant, and thus predisposes to disease. An undisturbed mind is one of the best safeguards against any affection. During an epidemic of cholera more than ordinary care is necessary in respect of food. Of course, any one will avoid that which he knows will disagree; but as at such times even some usual article will be found to cause stomach and bowel troubles, extra vigilance is necessary. Raw vegetables should not be eaten ; nor unripe, or sour fruits; oysters, and shell-fish generally, especially during hot weather, are to be avoided; and pork, veal, sausages, geese and fish without scales; and pineapples, pickles and spices should find no place in the dietary. Tea and coffee must not be taken by those not in the habit of using them. Alcohol, particularly whiskey and brandy, should not be used, but a good, sound red wine, in the form of claret or burgundy, taken in moderation with the dinner, especially by those of advanced years, will be of benefit. This applies to the well only, not to the sick. 9 With the avoidance of hurtful articles there should be no fear of taking the proper quantity of suitable food; but it must not be forgotten that overloading the stomach is a fruitful source of many ailments. Drinking water, unless it come from a well-known pure spring, should always be boiled and filtered, not only during epidemics, but at all other times. The clothing should be suitable to the season, and woolen underwear will be found the best for the greatest number, although there are some people who are unable to wear it owing to irritation of the skin. For such, goods made of a mixture of silk and wool, or of silk and cotton, will be the best. Nothing is more depressing than want of the proper amount of sleep; hence, avoid late hours. Of bathing nothing need be said. The modern man and woman who do not know how to bathe properly—for cleanliness sake—can not be made to know its benefits. The house should always be properly ventilated, both day and night. Proper ventilation is not had by raising a window a few inches ; it is necessary to have places for ingress and egress of air, conse- quently two or more openings communicating with the outside air are necessary. Be not afraid of fresh air, either day or night! Included in ventilation is sunlight, and plenty of it. The sun is the source of all life, and his revivi- fying rays should not be shut out. Let us have plenty of light—especially in the sick-room ! 10 If the patient be annoyed by bright light, place a screen to protect him; but do not have a darkened room. Darkness is death ! Place no confidence in so-called disinfectants! The only real disinfectants are cleanliness, sunlight and fresh air. When an epidemic of cholera appears there are medicines which, taken as prophylactics, have been known to keep many who were surrounded by the disease from an attack. These are Cuprum and Yeratrum album. Taken in a potentized form— thanks to the genius of Hahnemann—they are powerful in protecting the well. Which is to be used, and how, must be determined by the character and peculiarities of the epidemic ; but we may safely advise the use of cuprum, one dose of 10 or 12 pellets, of the thirtieth potency, once or twice a week and then Yeratrum album, of the same potency, during the following week. The late Dr. Hering recommended wearing flowers of sulphur in the shoes as a protective. It has been noted that workers in copper are free from attacks of cholera, and so it has been the custom of some to wear a small piece of copper over the chest, pro- tected by cotton or woolen material. These are crude methods, but they can do no harm. No other medicines should be used, and the phy- sician’s advice should be sought at once, should any of the symptoms named below appear. 11 SYMPTOMS OF CHOLERA. During an epidemic of cholera many are troubled with diarrhoea. This diarrhoea may appear to be of an ordinary character, and yet it may precede and develop into cholera. No one remedy can be recom- mended for this condition, for the reason that it may vary, each individual presenting different symp- toms, and the homoeopathic law demands that each case must have its own peculiar remedy. There are, too, peculiar abdominal symptoms at such times, such as fulness, weight and an uneasy feeling in the bowels, as though diarrhoea would follow. Homoeo- pathic remedies will readily relieve these symptoms. Usually preceding an attack there will be symp- toms of indisposition, but in the more severe form the first manifestations of the disease may come as a shock, completely prostrating the patient. There will be a semi-paralyzed condition, to be followed by nausea with vertigo, vomiting and diarrhoea, with cramps, coldness, cold sweat, failing pulse, hoarseness, the choleraic face, a pinched, drawn expression, with great coldness of skin and blue lips. In the successful treatment of this condition we have a grand illustration of the efficacy of the homoeopathic law. 12 If one were to take sufficient doses of Camphor he would present just such a condition as is found in the above description of cholera. Hence, according to the law, Camphor is the remedy for a person found in a similar condition. And it has been proved to be true in a number of epidemics of cholera. So soon as such symptoms appear, one dose of Camphor should be given; the patient should then be put into bed in a room properly ventilated, and well covered with light woolen blankets. No hot water should be used about the patient. Then a few pellets (10 to 20, according to their size), should be put into half a tumbler of water, and teaspoonful doses of this solution given every five minutes, or even every three or four minutes, the interval be- tween the doses to be gauged by the severity of the symptoms, until profuse perspiration is established, which may be in a half hour. Then the intervals between doses must be lengthened. If the sweating process continues four or six hours, the worst of the attack is over, and the blankets may then be taken off, one at a time, the patient wiped dry, and then left to sleep. The Camphor should relieve the symptoms in at least a half hour; if it does not relieve in that time another remedy is indicated. Camphor was the sole remedy used by Dr. Rubini in 1854-55, and again in 1884, with such favorable results. Rubini used it in drop doses of the tincture 13 on a lump of sugar, given in a spoonful of water, but others have used it successfully in the potentized form. If Camphor fails to relieve in a short time the next remedy to be used is Veratrum album. The indica- tions for this remedy are: violent and profuse dis- charges of rice-water-like fluids upward and down- ward; vomiting of ’frothy substances ; great anguish, oppression, and spasmodic constriction of the chest; extreme thirst for cold water in large quantities, with nausea, vomiting after drinking, with great weakness, and diarrhoea at the same time, distorted counte- nance ; cold, pale, or bluish face ; eyes sunken and fixed, blue under the eyes, pupils contracted. Cramps in calves, fingers and toes; hoarse, feeble voice, with coldness of the mouth and tongue, dry or yellow coated tongue. Cold perspiration on the fore- head during the evacuations. Urine suppressed. When such a condition is met Verat. alb. is demanded, and if given in the thirtieth potency, in the same manner as Camphor, until a change for the better occurs, it will not be given in vain. Cuprum is needed when there are: ineffectual pressure to urinate, the bladder being empty. The evacuations are less copious than in veratrum, the spasms and cramps in the bowels, chest, and hand are more painful, with extreme sensitiveness to touch. Face and lips blue and cold, voice hoarse, respiration labored, urinary secretions suppressed. Use Cuprum in thirtieth potency. 14 A favorable sign is the reappearance of urine after it has been suppressed. When this occurs medicine msut be given at much longer intervals, or discon- tinued. Arsenicum album is called for when there are : sudden sinking of strength ; burning pain in stomach and intestines, restlessness, anguish in chest, great thirst for cold water, but drinking little at a time, vomiting as soon as he drinks. When these symp- toms are present Arsenicum alb. can be used in the 30th potency in the same manner as advised for the other remedies. Never give but one remedy at a time, and before giving be sure you have chosen the right one, and give no other if that causes improvement. So soon as improvement is noticed no more medicine need be given ; but if the patient should grow worse the same remedy can be given again. If the condition changes, select the remedy most like the symptoms of the changed condition. There are other remedies that are often indicated in cholera, but no one need fear to place depen- dence upon those named above, as in the most cases no other remedy will be needed for an acute attack. After the most dangerous symptoms have passed other remedies may be necessary to complete the cure, but as they require much care and experience in their selection they must be left to the physician. During an attack no drinks but cold water, or, if preferred, warm toast water may be given. Iced water may be given as frequently as the patient asks for it. The food, if any is needed during the attack, should be of a light character, such as chicken broth. It is not necessary to force food upon the patient in this or any other disease. The patient must not be permitted to rise from bed for any purpose whatever; he must be kept perfectly quiet, and with only those about who are necessary to his comfort. Always change the glass and spoon when changing medicines. The indications for the remedies given above are not based on guess work. As has been said, they are the outcome of the law of similars, and have been tried many times. Being based upon law they will always be reliable. Such is pure Hahnemannian Homceopathy ! 16 Times Printing House 725 Chestnut Street Philadelphia