It is also transmitted directly or indirectly by "carriers." In a few hours or a couple of days after swallowing the germs, the patient starts to experience headache, general weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea and fever.
The disease may go no further than that, and subside gradually in a few days. But in many cases the diarrhea becomes worse from hour to hour, the stools become very watery and bloody, severe cramps attack every muscle in the body, there is continuous vomiting and the thirst is extreme.
If not checked, collapse follows. Some cases recover even after reaching the stage of collapse. The prevention of cholera requires isolation and quarantine of all patients until their stools are free from the cholera germ.
All water used for drinking and washing, and all food must be boiled; nothing is to be eaten raw. Everything about the house should be washed and disinfected with a lysol solution. Flies and all other insects must be excluded from the house, as they are likely to be carriers. There is an effective serum for immunization.
The patient should drink plenty of barley water, rice water and plain water, with enough salt and sugar, to combat the dangerous dehydration caused by the diarrhea. Swallowing cracked ice on which spirit of peppermint has been sprinkled is recommended.
The following prescription will help the diarrhea:
Calcium carbonate 2 ounces
Kaolin 3 ounces
Syrup acacia 2 ounces
Cinnamon water, enough to make 8 ounces Mix; label "Shake well before using." Take a tablespoonful every 3 hours.
Apply hot compresses to the abdomen, and keep the patient warm by a hot water bag to the feet. Streptomycin and penicillin in large doses have been reported to be effective.
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