Cholera is a zymotic disease which can only enter the system by the mouth, and they are spread chiefly through the agency of contaminated water used for drinking or washing purposes.
No raw food or drink of any kind whatsoever should be taken during a cholera outbreak. Certain food remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of cholera. Liquid and bland diet foods are the best, which a patient can ingest without endangering a reoccurrence of the disease.
1. Lemon
The foremost among these is the use of lemon. The juice of this fruit can kill cholera bacilli within a very short time. It is also a very effective and reliable preventive food item against cholera during the epidemic.
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It can be taken in the form of sweetened or salted beverages for this purpose. Taking of this fruit with meals daily is also an effective preventive against cholera.
2. Guava
The root bark of guava is another valuable remedy; It is rich in tannins and can be successfully used in the form of concentrated decoction in cholera.
About 30 grams of the root bark should be used in 500 ml of water to make the concoction. The water should be boiled till it is reduced by one-third. It can be taken twice daily. It will arrest vomiting and symptoms of diarrhoea.
3. Peach Flowers
Another effective remedy for cholera is the use of the leaves and flowers of peach. They should be taken in the form of syrup or conserve. The leaves of drumstick (drumstick) tree are also useful in this disease. Half a teaspoon of fresh leaf-juice, mixed with equal quantity of honey and half a glass of tender coconut water, can be given two or three times as a medicine in the treatment of cholera.
4. Onions
Onion is very useful in cholera. About 15 grams of this vegetable and four black peppers should be finely pounded in a pestle and given to the patient. It allays thirst and restlessness and the patient feels better.
5. Bitter Gourd
The fresh juice of bitter gourd is another effective medicine in early stages of cholera. A teaspoon of this juice, mixed with equal quantity of white onion juice and half a teaspoon of lime juice, should be given.