J. Antall szerk.: Medical history in Hungary 1972. Presented to the XXIII. International Congress of the History of Medicine / Orvostörténeti Közlemények – Supplementum 6. (Budapest, 1972)
M. Vida : Serving two Nations: Tivadar Duka (1825—1908)
M. Vida : Serving two Nations : Tivadar Duka . 205 their excrement was treated with a 10 per cent solution of sulphate of iron. But the prophylaxis or the aetiology of cholera was yet unknown. The main item on the agenda of the physicians's association on September 20 1866 was a lecture by Tivadar Duka on the subject of the cholera epidemic based on his twelve years of practice in India. He said that Dower-powder or opium generally used against diarrhoe was not suitable for quelling the epidemic as they might bring about coma, always frequent in cholera. In India the only effective remedy in the first, diarrhoeic phase of the disease is "cannabis indica" which causes neither headache nor stupor. He recommended another effective medicine: essence of the grass of Indian hemp, and chlorodyne (made of ginger) which is common in nearly all European household. The two medicaments, first used by Collis Browne, have been found effective by the medical council of the British Army in checking the cholera in India. 3 1 His lecture was expanded into an article "Némely megjegyzések a kolera támadása és gyógykezelése körül" (Some observations concerning the attack and treatment of cholera) 3 2 where besides hygienic problems he considered the periods of atmospherical and temperatural changes as the main causes. In India one can observe three "cholera-periods" in each year, he said. The first occurs in the days of transition into hot and dry weather when the fluctuation of temperature is between 12 and 57 degrees centigrade. The second is the monsoon period in August — September and the third is around Christmas. Another interesting observation was that in Bengal the epidemic was marked by very high mortality at its beginning, which later fell considerably and many people recovered. It follows that "not medicament but prevention is the heart of the matter : under the tropical climate the span between health and the grave is frequently not more than a couple of hours." 3 3 Opium and its products (liquor opii sedativus, Jeremie's Opiate) may also prove effective in bringing diarrhoe under control —when used under a doctor's supervision. But all that applies only to the first stage of the cholera. In the second and third stages only careful nursing can help. "The sparing of vigour, the retaining of body heat by wadding and rubbing, finally stimulants and when the time comes easily digestable but strong food —this is what one can do for the patients in the hope of success." M While European medical practice proved itself helpless in prevention and in the solution of the aetiological problems well until the middle of the 19th century, in India the primary aim was to give a practical answer to these question. Duka quoted Ranald Martin with full approval: "if you restore my health, perhaps I will not owe you even thanks, but you will be my greatest benefactor if by heeding your advice I can prevent the occurance of the trouble," 3 5 This at3 1 "The Royal Society of Physicians in Budapest on the Cholera", Orvosi Hetilap, 1866. No. 43. p. 692. — A report on the session. 3 2 The article appeared in Orvosi Hetilap, 1866. No. 43. pp. 741 — 751. 3 3 Duka, Tivadar: "Some Observations Concerning the Attack and Treatment of Cholera", Orvosi Hetilap, 1866. No. 43. p. 749. 3 4 Ibid. p. 750. 3 5 Ibid. p. 749.
