1831 males, 4 females, 3 total, 7
1832 „ 20 „ 19 „ 39
1833 „ 4 „ 5 „ 9
The fact that nine out of twelve inmates of the cottage {103} inhabited
by Parsons’s family were swept off, under circumstances of a peculiarly
aggravated and appalling character, may be attributed to the unfortunate
inattention to sanitary precautions, which has already been mentioned.
[Picture: The village of Underwood]
In consequence of the Board of Health not having been regularly
constituted until above a month after the commencement of the disease in
the parish, no returns from medical practitioners were received before
the 22nd of August; and even after that period, so constantly were those
gentlemen occupied, and worn out with fatigue, the returns were very
imperfectly supplied. Therefore, a statistical account of cases, dates
of seizure and recovery, cannot here be attempted. It must, therefore,
suffice to state, that between 200 and 300 in this parish were more or
less affected with the disease; and in Underwood alone, about 200. The
proportion of deaths, in cases which had advanced into the second or cold
stage before medical assistance had been obtained, was about one out of
three. In the foregoing Extracts, only a portion of the cases of
confirmed cholera are mentioned; omitting those which are termed
incipient.
It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the attention of every one, that
if the atmosphere surrounding houses is corrupted by the effluvia of
stagnant water in pools and ditches, unwholesome sewers, choked drains,
or any accumulation of filth—if badly ventilated rooms are crowded with
an excess of occupants—if the diet is low and unwholesome, and the habits
of the people are dirty, particularly if they are addicted to drunkenness
and dissipation,—diseases of various kinds are engendered as a natural
consequence; therefore, under such circumstances, what can be expected
during a visitation of an extraordinary epidemic like that of cholera,
but its baneful effects, and those of a most aggravated and appalling
character.
It is essential that due attention be paid to the very first indication
of indisposition during the prevalence of the epidemic. Vegetables and
fruit should be avoided. Strong affections of the mind, arising from
anxiety, alarm, or excess of grief, are extremely injurious; therefore
the mind should be kept calm, and if any symptoms, however trivial,
should occur, medical advice should be obtained as speedily as possible.
If, through neglect, or any other particular cause, the second stage has
come on, with violent sickness, cramp, cold extremities, weakness, and
sinking of the pulse, &c. the disease is extremely dangerous. I have not
heard of any specific having yet been discovered, which can be
recommended with assurance of success. But even from this stage, and
under the most disheartening circumstances, several patients have
recovered.
It is hoped, that a plain statement of some of the remedies which were
resorted to in this parish, may have a place here, without a risk of
being objectionable; especially as it is unaccompanied by any attempt to
encroach upon the prerogative of those whose professional education and
experience entitle them to be the sole arbiters and directors of such
subjects.
Many instances occurred, when medical aid could not be immediately
obtained; and some, when there was every probability of considerable loss
of time. Under such circumstances, to prevent, if possible, the early
stage of the disease assuming a more serious character, much benefit was
derived from the following recipes, supplied by Mr. Langworthy; due
regard being observed to circumstances as they arose at the time, as well
as to the proportions usually allowed for difference of age, sex, and
constitution:—
Powdered rhubarb 8 grains.
Powdered ginger 6 grains.
Carbonate of soda 20 grains.
Calomel, occasionally added 3 or 4 grains.
It appeared to us, that in most cases which came under our observation,
where the use of heating or spirituous liquors had been resorted to, for
the purpose of allaying pain in the bowels, it did more harm than good.
In cases which were attended with aggravated symptoms, five, ten,
fifteen, or twenty grains of calomel, with nearly an equal quantity of
powdered ginger, were given by Mr. L., according to circumstances, and in
an hour or two afterwards, from half an ounce to an ounce of castor oil,
with one, two, or three drachms of tincture of rhubarb.
When much irritation has been going on, soda water, in a state of
effervescence, or a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda, and the same
quantity of salvolatile, have tended to allay sickness, &c.
In more advanced stages of the disease, the following mixture, drank
cold, has given relief:—
Carbonate of soda 1 drachm.
Common salt 1 drachm.
Oxymuriate (chlorate) of potash 3 or 4 grains.
To be mixed in a quart of water, and drank when the patient complained of
thirst.
When internal cramp has caused great suffering, dry heat, by the
application of a bag of hot salt, to the pit of the stomach, has been
beneficial in relieving the pain; and, in the cold stage of the disease,
the use of friction with stimulating liniment, and mustard and vinegar
poultices applied to the extremities, have been attended with good
effects. In extreme cases, on the verge of death, recourse was had to
injecting some principal vein with saline fluid. This invariably stopped
the sufferings of the patient; but in the application of the experiment
by Mr. L., it did not succeed in saving the life, unless a small quantity
of blood was afterwards transfused into the vein. This was done only in
the three cases here, of Wm. Gully, Susan Taylor, and Mary Taylor. The
two former recovered, and are living at the present time. The latter was
in a weak state of health before the attack of cholera, to which the
failure of the experiment was attributed. The two former relapsed after
the injection of the saline fluid alone, and were rapidly sinking; but
upon a repetition of the process of injection, with the addition
afterwards of blood, they recovered.
It was remarked, that if calomel effected any degree of salivation, the
patient recovered.
In the event of a recurrence of such a fearful pestilence, from which,
may it please God in mercy to protect us, it may be worth consideration,
that Boards of Health become legally constituted as soon as possible;
that they may be empowered to provide for cases of emergency, and engage
medical assistance, in proportion to the requirements of the district,
with a remuneration to the medical gentlemen commensurate with their
arduous duties. Also to provide an adequate attendance of efficient
nurses. In the case of our Board of Health, there was no legal authority
for making orders for assistance, until the 22nd of August, nearly six
weeks after the disease had commenced in the parish. One medical
gentleman only, with the aid of his relation, had to attend nearly all
the poor people who were ill, in addition to his own private patients;
and the other medical practitioners were fully occupied. The consequence
was, that, in some instances, much valuable time was lost. The
difficulty of procuring nurses at the time, has already been adverted to.
Under these circumstances, the consequences would have been still more
lamentable, if a subscription had not been raised to meet the emergency;
as extra expenses, to a large amount, which had been incurred by a series
of such fearful sickness and distress, during a period of six weeks, were
met by that resource.
In justice to those parishioners who had the means, it should be
mentioned here, that, in addition to their benevolent and liberal
subscriptions, all aided in relieving the necessities of their poorer
brethren, and mitigated much of their distress, by providing, from their
own houses, many things which could not be obtained in the poor man’s
home. Some of the principal families were absent at the time; but they
took a lively interest in the progress of events, and repeatedly gave
directions that the poor sufferers should be supplied with whatever they
required, from their houses.
In concluding this plain record of some fearful occurrences among his
parishioners during the visitation with which God, for wise purposes,
afflicted them, the writer, in adverting to the many acts of Christian
beneficence, cannot refrain from expressing his grateful remembrance of
the affectionate kindness which he himself experienced, from the highest
to the lowest of his parishioners, to which was added, an unexpected but
gratifying testimonial of regard from the parishioners in general, and
another from the village of Underwood in particular.
In these Extracts from a Diary relating to one particular subject, many
minor details have been omitted, as superfluous; and the mention of some
circumstances of a painful nature, as to the state of mind or conduct of
particular individuals, has been avoided, from consideration for the
feelings of others. If, however, it should be asked, what effects this
awful warning produced upon those who witnessed its solemn call, it must
be confessed, in general terms, that, with the exception of a few
individuals, no permanent change of character was perceptible. There
were then, as unhappily there are now, persons upon whom no passing
events, however striking, make any salutary impression—who make light of
the most solemn calls to repentance and amendment—run through life
utterly heedless of the one thing needful; and when they “pass through
the valley of the shadow of death,” they have no staff to rest upon for
comfort and support. The state of such people calls for the deepest
commiseration. Much do they require the Christian’s prayer, that they
may be converted and live. Well will it be for all of us, if, in viewing
the judgments of God in the world, we acknowledge them as such; and in
the endeavour to theorize upon second causes, we do not overlook the
Great First Cause. The hand of God must be acknowledged, when, by either
of His sore judgments, whether of pestilence, famine, or the sword, He
afflicts a people for their iniquity. His divine blessing must be
sought, with the earnest prayer of a contrite heart through faith in the
Saviour; for without His blessing, without His Almighty aid, all our
endeavours to escape the rod of His displeasure will assuredly fail.
Whether as a nation or as individuals, let us not be regardless of the
warnings and mercies which we have from time to time experienced at the
hand of God. Let us remember the word of the Lord addressed to his
rebellious people of old, “Son of man, when the land sinneth against me
by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and
will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it,
and will cut off man and beast,” &c. And again, “If ye will not be
reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; then will
I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for
your sins. And when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will
send the pestilence among you.”
During a succession of many generations, the judgments of the Lord,
either of pestilence, famine, or the sword, have visited our land at
different periods. On these occasions, days for public humiliation have
been resorted to, with confession of sin, and vows of repentance and
amendment. The prayer of the nation has been invariably heard, and the
scourge withdrawn. The mercies thus experienced have been acknowledged
by national thanksgiving. But notwithstanding these things, we have been
a rebellious people. It was only within the last year that another of
God’s judgments called forth our humiliation, and public prayers for
deliverance. Again a supplicating nation was heard—the calamity was
withdrawn; and this was acknowledged by a general thanksgiving. The Lord
has hitherto been merciful to us; and still, as a nation, we are
wonderfully blessed. But fearful signs and warnings have been hovering
around, to awaken us from spiritual lethargy, and forgetfulness of the
past. In addition to this, the storm which has recently burst forth upon
our continental neighbours, and shaken the foundations of thrones and
empires, whilst it bids us to be thankful for the privileges we enjoy,
calls upon us to put our whole trust in Him who hath hitherto succoured
us. Therefore, amidst all the foreboding signs of the times, and the
internal convulsions that threaten other nations, may we have grace so to
acquit ourselves consistently with our Christian profession, that God may
yet be merciful to our land, and continue to us His blessing.
* * * * *
AT a Vestry meeting, held this 13th day of January, 1833, in pursuance of
a notice duly given,—
Resolved, “That a small stone, in the shape of a cross, with the
date, 1832, engraved upon it, be placed as a memorial at the head of
all the graves of persons who had died of the awful disease of
cholera.”
[Picture: Cross with 1832 written on it]