The Cholera.

THE CHOLERA .

LONDON , SATURDAY , AUGUST 18 , 1866 .

The G . A . O . T . II . has visited this country ivith the truly fearful scourge of cholera . In the east of London several have been swept off by it , and its ravages have also reached to various places in the provinces . It is to be feared that the worst

has not yet come , and that the area of this appalling disease will be still more extended . Everywhere meii are rousing themselves to do battle with it . Nuisances are being abated , funds are being raised for the relief of the sufferers , and

of those who have been thrown destitute on the world , through the death of parents and other relations .

At such a trying * juncture as this , our brethren will not , Ave feel assured , be found wanting in their efforts to alleviate the afflictions of those who have suffered and are suffering . When ivere Masons ever backward in Avorks of mercy and benevolence ?

As , however , the most strenuous efforts require to be properly directed , we should strongly recommend our brethren to acquaint themselves Avith the nature , the symptoms , and the prevention of cholera ¦ for , as to be forewarned , and Ave may

add , fore-informed , is to be fore-armed , they will thus be enabled , Avith God ' s blessing , to ward off the disease from themselves , and to do good to others . A little pamphlet entitled " A Short Treatise on

the Nature , Origin , and Prevention of Cholera , " by Dr . G-ustave Monod , Professeur Agrege a la Faculte de Medicine de Paris , " & c , has lately fallen into our hands . It comes recommended to ns both by the charitable object for which its

translator , Mr . A . A . Von-Glein , sends it forth—¦ " The whole proceeds of the sale are to be applied to the relief of the poor in infected districts in London" —and by the intrinsic value of its contents .

It Avill surely not be out of place in a magazine such as this , and at so appalling a crisis , to quote from this little Avork , a few of the rules there given as to the prevention of cholera . As the digestive organs must be kept in a sound

state , and as the slightest disorder in them must predispose , more or less , to the disease , Ave are to bear in mind that great danger arises to them from the following causes : — 1 . By a chill , especially on the stomach , and by cold feet .

2 . By excessive fatigue and over-excitement of the brain . 3 . By bad food . 1 . A chill may be avoided by wearing a flannel belt round the Avaist . Woollen socks' are also

recommended to be used . 2 . " Late hours , dissipation , the abuse of pleasure , too much strain on the mental powers , excitement , great emotions , and in particular , anger , are all liable to disturb digestion . "

8 . "One ' s food should , as much as possible , be simple and solid . It should be such as to avert indigestion , and gently stimulate the vital forces . It ought to consist chiefly of farinaceous substances —soups , roast and broiled butcher's meat , fowl ,

and eggs . Fish in moderation . " "All kinds of vegetables may be eaten , ancl ripe fruit , raw or cooked in moderation . " " Heavy pastry , and all indigestible articles of food should be forbidden . "

"All excess in drink must be avoided . But spirituous liquors may be used in moderation with benefit . " There are also some excellent remarks on " running aAvay from cholera" : —

" It is as much the duty of all the inhabitants , as it is of the pastor , the physician , and the local authorities , when cholera breaks out not to abandon the place where God has hitherto protected them ; and I would go so far as to compare the act of

running away from cholera to that of a soldier quitting his post in the day of battle . " With one other quotation we shall conclude : — " There is another powerful preservative , independent of the physician's art , and which all the

gold in the Avorld cannot buy—I mean the inward peace and tranquility of mind which is the fruit of true piety . Agitation , uneasiness , and fear naturally predispose to cholera ; but he who , Avhilst taking all possible precautions suggested

by science and experience , maintains a calm and firm confidence that his Heavenly . Father watches over him at every moment , and directs all things for his true good , is , medically speaking , less exposed to take cholera than he who feels not such an assurance . "

Similar is the teaching of Masonry Avhen she takes the candidate by the hand , and bids him in the hour of danger and difficulty repose his trust in God ; and similar * , too , is the teaching of the Book on which Masonry is founded , even the Word of the Lord , that abideth for ever .