Grayson County Texas -The Cholera Epidemic in the Denison Texas area in 1873 By Deb Haines *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:Deb Haines by - Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** Original image of this page located: http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/grayson/images/454.jpg 454 NARRATIVE OF CHOLERA EPIDEMIC OF 1873 malignant forms of the disease especially, a close analogy to those oc- casioned by other and more tangible toxical agents, like some of these, as oxalic acid or nicotine. The malarial and several other zymotic poisons sometimes suddenly prostrate the system to the verge of the grave, or even destroy life in a few hours, and during the first access, or as Dr. Simon says, in the tremendous shock and depression thereby occasioned in the system. So rapidly destructive, indeed, is the effect, that were it not for concomitant circumstances, it would often be diffi- cult to form an idea of the real nature of the case.(La Roche on Pneu- monia and Malaria, p. 379.) The above .quotations regarding malarial fevers, which are the pre- vailing diseases of the section in which Denison is located, show that they may assume the appearance of cholera. Proof to this effect could be multiplied, if necessary. In the absence of positive proof of impor- tation, and in the presence of positive proof that malaria simulates cholera, are we not justified in concluding that this was malaria? In examining special cases of this disease, we noted a disposition to Pass from the ordinary forms of malarial fevers to a malignant type simulating cholera, or to pass back, when proper remedies were used to arrest it. In several instances patients were seized with well-marked bilious remittent fever; after this had continued some time, the disease assumed all the appearances of cholera. In other instances, where the choleraic symptoms were checked, bilious fever presented itself. In still other cases the choleraic symptoms exhibited periodic movement without fever. We are aware that these facts have been noted by writers upon chol- Era, and claimed as illustrations of the erratic manner in which that disease acts. But may they not be examples of the erratic course of malaria? It acts thus, as writers on malarial disorders will testify. It is claimed that this was cholera, because epidemic; and epidemic, Because fifty cases occurred in one month. To this we attach no importance. The summer and early autumn are healthy; after the long-continued heat sickness ensues, but not until the weather breaks. Then fifty cases of pneumonia, bilious fever, abor- tion, bronchitis, menorrhagia, or lencorrhoea may be encountered, and these cases will be mild or severe according to the condition of the sys- tems attacked. In claiming that this disease was imported, it is implied that it was contagious. There is not a single fact in the history of the disease pointing toward contagion. In one house, 14 feet square, where fourteen persons slept, the vomit and the stools were spilled upon the floor, and yet the disease did not spread. Throughout the continuance of the disease in the city, no effort at disinfection whatever was made, and yet there is not the slightest evi- dence of the disease being propagated. In a few well-marked cases, post-mortem examinations were held im- mediately after death. Inquiry was only made concerning the abdomi- nal viscera. The stomach and bowels were usually empty, and al- ways congested, though generally slightly so. The liver was always bronzed and congested. In one case it was intensely congested, and in another softened. The spleen was always congested, in one instance intensely, in one enlarged, and in one softened. However doubtful the ante-mortem symptoms pointed unerringly to malarial poisoning. DENISON, TEXAS, November, 17, 1874.