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I do not intend to enter minutely into the treatment of Cholera, as no satisfactory
conclusions have yet been arrived at. At the London Hospital, which I visited several
times, various plans were adopted, as the Astringent, Purgative, Castor Oil, Calomel,
Baths, &c., &c., each of which lays claim to a certain amount of success. The treatment
at Bethnal Green consisted of the Calomel and Saline combined, with Hot Baths, &c.
The number of successful cases at the Workhouse will be found about the same as at the
Hospital, if numbers are compared. This is the third epidemic I have witnessed, and
must candidly confess I do not think the Profession have yet made any advance in the
successful treatment of Cholera. We have had an opportunity of comparing the different
kinds, and avoiding those which appear to be decidedly bad. Active measures were
taken to prevent contagion in the House, and, I am happy to say, our efforts were successful.
I have avoided purposely saying anything about the arrangements of the House,
such as nursing, crowding of sick wards, &c.: improvements are taking place in nearly
every department. I consider we are in a transition state, and on the eve of eventful
changes, more especially as regards the medical department.
I commenced the new year with 478 cases on the Infirmary Medical Relief Book, and
57 insane and imbeciles, making a total of 535 under medical supervision.
JAMES SMART, F.R.C.S., Medical Officer.
As regards the Cholera patients, I may say that they were so well attended
to by the Dispensary staff, that little was left for the District Medical
Officers to do, with the exception of Dr. Welch, who, in consequence of
residing at some distance from the Dispensaries, had more work thrown
upon him than any of the others. I am glad to say that he performed his
duties most effectively.