818 PRIMARY SYMPTOM OF CHOLERA. 



example of all the varieties of fever in their most 

 malignant forms ; for they are all ushered in by 

 diminished respiration, a reduction of tempera- 

 ture, stagnation of the blood, with a loss of its 

 vital properties, prostration of strength, insensi- 

 bility, and derangement of all the functions. 



The primary and leading symptom of cholera 

 is a great and sudden reduction of temperature. 

 According to Mr. Orton, and many other writers 

 on the disease, " the generation of animal heat 

 almost entirely ceased," the breath, tongue, and 

 whole body, became cold, the blood viscid and 

 dark coloured, even in the arteries, the surface 

 livid, and all the secretions suspended. It is 

 therefore evident, that the first step to be taken 

 in the treatment, is to raise the temperature of 

 the patient to the natural standard, by which the 

 heart would be enabled to restore the circulation 

 through the lungs, and thus renew the vital pro- 

 perties of the blood, on which all the healthy 

 functions of the body depend. For it has been 

 often observed, as in cases of suspended anima- 

 tion, from remaining some minutes under water, 

 that blood cannot be obtained until the circulation 

 is revived by placing the patient in a hot bath, 

 or by the application of dry heat. 



Now if it be true, that the first link in the chain 

 of morbid phenomena which constitute epidemic 

 cholera, be a uniform and great reduction of tem- 

 perature, what can be the use of the lancet, erne- 



