Asiatic Cholera (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1866 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. The evidence in favor of the contagious nature of cholera is, mostly if not altogether, of a circumstantial character. While the disease is not contagious in the same manner as small-pox and scarlatina, yet the well authenticated cases are so numerous, in which a direct connexion has been traced between the origin of a cholera epidemic, and the arrival of an individual from an infected to a previously healthy neighborhood, that there should be no doubt as to the spread of the disease by human intercourse. This point may be considered as so well established that a practical disregard of it involves the assumption of a grave responsibility. The evidence which is advanced against the contagiousness of cholera does not weaken the accumulated force of the facts in its favor, some of which do not admit of a reasonable doubt, but it only shows that the liability to contagion is diminished, or strengthened, by certain localizing causes. Preconceived opinions, although honestly taken, have been in many instances an obstacle to the belief in the communicability of cholera from individual to individual, and the same result has been produced in others from a failure to appreciate the indirect manner in which the disease is believed, on good evidence, to be communicated. The other methods supposed to account for the exten sion of cholera are, in general terms: --Progressive atmospheric influence, local atmospheric influence, and terrestrial emanations. It has been found, however, that as diffusive agents they are insufficient to explain the peculiar features and progress of the malady. The following opinions, from a distinguished authority, upon certain atmospheric conditions supposed to favor cholera epidemics, are the results of extensive experience, and ar..