On the curative effect of carbonic acid gas or other forms of carbon in cholera, for different forms of fever, and other diseases / by C.J. Lewis.

  • Lewis, C. J. (Charles James), 1875-1937.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: On the curative effect of carbonic acid gas or other forms of carbon in cholera, for different forms of fever, and other diseases / by C.J. Lewis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/56 (page 13)
    of the etiology of epidemic diseases. It does not, however, disprove, in regard to their epidemiology, the possibility of dependence on atmospheric compositions of which the precise nature is unlcnown. Atmospheric conditions might be such as to favour virulent development of one kind of organism at one time, and of another variety at another time. _ Next we shall'^consider the attitude of the medical profession to the opinions set foi-th by Dr Parkin. With regard both to the claims of carbonic acid gas as a specific and antidote of wonderful power in the treatment of cholera and other diseases, and also as to the beneficial action of other forms of carbon such as charcoal, it must be said that Dr Parkin’s belief was not, and is not, shared by many of his professional brethren, notwithstanding the support he received at the hands of Spanish physicians and West Indian doctors. Eitson mentions the exemption from cholera of porters and labourers engaged in discharging and storing charcoal cargoes at Malta, and he says the same fact was noticed at Palermo and other Mediterranean ports where charcoal is used for fuel. The inhalation of particles of dust of the char- coal was considered to be the cause of this exemption. At Marsala in Sicily there happened to be little cholera compared to its prevalence in surrounding districts, and this was thought to be due to carbonic acid gas given off from wine casks. So also the neighbourhood of mineral springs was sometimes said to serve as a protection against cholera. Wliile Parkin explained this by reference to the carbonic acid gas given off at the springs, modern views of water-borne cholera would suggest that any good effect was rather due to the water-supply being derived from a pure source, and being less liable to contamination than ordinary sources. London physicians were not impressed with the value of the remedy, and in many recent textbooks of medicine and of therapeutics carbonic acid gas is not mentioned as of use in cholera and epidemic diseases. A notable exception is found in Ziemssen’s Cyclopccdia, where Lebert recommends in the treatment of cholera ice-cold carbonic acid water or effervescent powders (4 parts bicarbonate of soda and 3 parts tartaric acid) in a few teaspoonfuls of water, or bicarbonate of soda and one or two teaspoonfuls of lemon-juice. He says: “ Of course these mixtures are to be taken at the moment of effervescence,” and confirms Parkin and the Spanish physicians as to the relief of burning thirst, of constant nausea, and of frequent vomiting. Lebert also corroborates their statements as to patients once commenced with these remedies continually calling for them afterwards, so great was the good effect. On the other hand, Rumpf, in the Twentieth Gentnnj Practice of Medicine, says, with regard to cholera nostras, that carbonated waters increase vomiting, and he therefore prefers ice water. He makes no other reference to the use of carbonic acid gas as treatment. Tlie same author, writing on the treatment of Asiatic cholera, says: “ 1 do not recommend tlie use of water rich in carbonic acid gas ”; and again, “ My decided impression is that carbonic acid acts unfavouralfiy on tlie vomiting.” Osier does not mention carbonic acid gas in the treatment of cholera, and Lauder Rrunton does not include it in his Index of Diseases and Remedies as one of the remedies of use in cholera, nor does he allude to this use of it in his account of the uses of carbonic acid gas. Packpd (Hare s System of Practical Therapeutics) mentions carbonated effervescing waters as remedies for the vomiting in cholera morbus, but in dealing with epidemic cholera, does not mention carbonic acid gas or regard it or the above waters in any way as a speciiic.