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44
This brings us to the fifth question, as to whether
the disease is amenable to treatment; and here we
may say that although there is no actual cure for
the malady, any more than there is for small-pox
or any contagious fever, yet there are means of
assisting nature in the progress of the disease, and
of supporting the vital powers. These are the
expectant measures of rational medicine. They
only operate as defensive agents against the
weakening influences of the disease, and thus,
as Dr. Watson expresses it, they may turn the
hesitating scale, and give the victory to nature.
Experience also teaches us that these measures are
best applied in the early stages of the disorder,
when the system has not been much weakened by
the attack.
Again, we are taught by the history of all epidemics,
that although the early attacks are terribly
fatal—for the disease selects those which are most
susceptible of its influence—yet gradually the force is
abated, and it becomes more and more amenable to
treatment. It would seem, too, that in every succeeding
visitation the virulence of these epidemic
disorders is considerably lessened. These are the
facts which lead to the conclusion that the disease
should be treated medically. The Edinburgh Committee,
after much consideration of the subject, have
not only condemned the present practice of indiscriminate
slaughter, but have advised that the disease