SALOL IN CHOLERA. By Surgeon-Major A. TOMES.
Another experience of the efficacy of salol in cholera is offered for record. The result in my hands has been disappointing. Between 1st of December 1889 and 14th of February 1890, seventeen cases have been treated by me or by my subordinates at Howrah, with a mortality often or 58*22 per cent. The salol (obtained from Messrs. Smith, Stauistreet & Co.) was administered in exactly the same doses and periods as followed by Dr. Nicholson. The duration of illness from seizure to commencement of treatment varied from two to thirty-four hours; the greater number being taken in hand within twelve hours of seizure. It is needless to describe the cases in detail, they were all carefully watched. The mixture was given systematically every three hours, alternating with diuretics or stimulants, according to circumstances, and saline drinks ; and I am obliged to admit that there was nothing to show that the salol exercised any influence whatever on the symptoms, progress or termination of any one of them. Some of those who recovered took as many as sixteen doses of salol or more, and as many doses were likewise given to some of the fatal cases. On the other hand, two recovered after four doses, while one man who was admitted six hours after seizure, died after the third dose. One was a private patient (native) one was a native constable, two were European sailors. The rest were lower class natives taken into the
General Hospital. None of the cases were treated immediately after seizure; possibly earlier administration might have influenced the result. One man admitted two hours after seizure recovered after four doses, though, if I remember aright, delay did not appear to prejudice the result in the series referred to. Calcutta, 24th Feby. 1890.
Another experience of the efficacy of salol in cholera is offered for record. The result in my hands has been disappointing. Between 1st of December 1889 and 14th of February 1890, seventeen cases have been treated by me or by my subordinates at Howrah, with a mortality often or 58*22 per cent. The salol (obtained from Messrs. Smith, Stauistreet & Co.) was administered in exactly the same doses and periods as followed by Dr. Nicholson. The duration of illness from seizure to commencement of treatment varied from two to thirty-four hours; the greater number being taken in hand within twelve hours of seizure. It is needless to describe the cases in detail, they were all carefully watched. The mixture was given systematically every three hours, alternating with diuretics or stimulants, according to circumstances, and saline drinks ; and I am obliged to admit that there was nothing to show that the salol exercised any influence whatever on the symptoms, progress or termination of any one of them. Some of those who recovered took as many as sixteen doses of salol or more, and as many doses were likewise given to some of the fatal cases. On the other hand, two recovered after four doses, while one man who was admitted six hours after seizure, died after the third dose. One was a private patient (native) one was a native constable, two were European sailors. The rest were lower class natives taken into the
General Hospital. None of the cases were treated immediately after seizure; possibly earlier administration might have influenced the result. One man admitted two hours after seizure recovered after four doses, though, if I remember aright, delay did not appear to prejudice the result in the series referred to. Calcutta, 24th Feby. 1890.
