William Isaac Coppard

“ The poor little creature was on a bed, with her clothes on, supported on her weeping father’s arm—her countenance collapsed, and her hands characterized by all the signs of the second stage of cholera,—no indication of pulse—scarcely a sign of life—from all appearances, the disease had secured its prey. ”

“ On entering the cottage, the alarm of the family was manifested in the neglected state of every thing around,—tea-things scattered about the table—the homely meal left half-finished—by the fire-side, a poor man was endeavouring to pacify two or three frightened children—some women who had called to assist their neighbour, stood aghast, incapable of doing any thing. ”

“ There were then, as unhappily there are now, persons upon whom no passing events, however striking, make any salutary impression—who make light of the most solemn calls to repentance and amendment—run through life utterly heedless of the one thing needful; and when they “pass through the valley of the shadow of death,” they have no staff to rest upon for comfort and support. The state of such people calls for the deepest commiseration. Much do they require the Christian’s prayer, that they may be converted and live. ”

“ In the event of a recurrence of such a fearful pestilence, from which, may it please God in mercy to protect us, it may be worth consideration, that Boards of Health become legally constituted as soon as possible; that they may be empowered to provide for cases of emergency, and engage medical assistance, in proportion to the requirements of the district, with a remuneration to the medical gentlemen commensurate with their arduous duties. ”

“ The harassing symptoms of the disease were not subdued. Every thing was tried which human aid could suggest to relieve her, but she was rapidly sinking.
Mr. L. requested me to remain with her during his absence, which was unavoidably prolonged two hours. When he returned, she was sensible, and free from pain; but no warmth could be produced. About twelve o’clock, her countenance suddenly resumed its natural appearance—her eyes, their intelligence. ”

“ Men were stationed at each approach to Underwood and Colebrook, to prevent the young people from going to the villages and loitering there; to avoid the possibility of any risk of spreading the prevalent disease. When all had left for their homes, I went to Parsons’s, where I had been summoned in haste, as there were three fresh cases of cholera.
On entering this ill-fated cottage, the scene was quite sickening. On the same bed where the husband had died, I now beheld his widow and her mother (Mary Pote, aged 77) in a state of collapse, and two children in cradles, apparently dying! ”

“ It is requisite that you should be aided by the practical co-operation of others, and particularly that you should be empowered, by the vote of the parish, to enforce in your overseers the full and immediate performance of their duty . . . If the poor of Plympton St. Mary are driven from their houses by accident or pestilence, they are equally entitled to be taken care of by the parish officers, and it is their bounden duty instantly to provide them with some other habitation. ”

“ The necessity of increasing the relief of the poor, especially by some allowance for extra diet under the present distressing emergency, was strongly urged upon them, in a written address; under the conviction that, even p. 60where the disease did not exist, an addition to their ordinary support was highly essential.
As soon as the Board of Health adjourned, I set off for the Hospital, and on my way there I called to enquire for Susan Taylor. Just as I arrived, Mary Taylor, the sister, met me at the door, and was sobbing so bitterly, she could scarcely tell me the cause of her distress. ”

“ A very few minutes elapsed before we were at the house at Plympton. Our horses were sent to Mr. L.’s, as we knew that, if the patient did not die, we might be detained some time. Mary Taylor was so unwell, with strong symptoms of the same disease, Mr. L. gave her medicine, and advised her to remain below. We ascended the stairs, and at the first moment of entering the room, we thought it was all over. We found Susan quite cold—as cold as death—insensible—discoloured,—having no indication of pulse. We had no person to help us—we had no time to procure assistance. ”

“ If the serious contemplation, that the fearful visitation, with which it has pleased God in his infinite wisdom to afflict our land, has now entered within the borders of our parish, and approached the threshold of our own homes—if the awful and sudden death of our near neighbours has awakened us to a sense of our mortality, and the uncertainty of our own lives—if this has added to the number of sincere worshippers in the sanctuary, and touched the hearts of the careless with a sense, not only of the danger of the perishable body, but especially of their p. ”

“ The hand of God must be acknowledged, when, by either of His sore judgments, whether of pestilence, famine, or the sword, He afflicts a people for their iniquity. His divine p. 114blessing must be sought, with the earnest prayer of a contrite heart through faith in the Saviour; for without His blessing, without His Almighty aid, all our endeavours to escape the rod of His displeasure will assuredly fail. ”

“ Upon referring to the several medical practitioners, it was found to be impossible to obtain any thing like a regular return; because our Board of Health had not been legally constituted until the 22nd instant; and no authority for such a requirement having previously existed, no regular notes of cases and deaths had been kept. Besides this, in consequence of the scarcity of medical practitioners, those who were employed in cholera cases, were engaged with their patients from morning till night, and had little or no time for making regular memoranda. ”

“ Such an appeal, both to the common feelings of humanity, as well as to one of the highest obligations of a Christian minister, could not be otherwise than irresistible. There is nothing remarkable, therefore, in the circumstance of a clergyman, residing close to the village afflicted with such an awful visitation, having endeavoured to render all the assistance in his power, independently of attending to the important duties of his sacred office. Who, among the clergy, would not have done the same, in a similar case of emergency? ”

“ The symptoms were serious, and recourse was had to medicine as soon as possible.
As we were quitting this house, a messenger came, in great haste, for advice as to what should be done, in a case which had occurred at Ridgeway. A poor woman had been taken suddenly ill in a waggon, which was at the George Inn, and she was in the cold stage of the cholera. Mr. Langworthy could not at that moment quit a patient who was in a truly distressing state. ”

“ We had all joined with her in prayer, at her own request; she then consented to the operation. After a small quantity of the saline fluid had been injected, her p. 82husband’s sister offered to be blooded, as soon as the transfusion of blood was proposed. The transfusion was commenced, but no more than a teacupful could be borne, as a most startling effect was produced; the eyes having in an instant become red and staring to a frightful extent. Mr. L. saw this, and stopped the process instantaneously. Her breathing was quick and laborious. The pulse merely fluttered, and then stopped. ”

“ Therefore, amidst all the foreboding signs of the times, and the internal convulsions that threaten other nations, may we have grace so to acquit ourselves consistently with our Christian profession, that God may yet be merciful to our land, and continue to us His blessing. ”

“ These poor afflicted people, however, derived much comfort from having p. 23thus lifted up their sorrowing hearts in prayer to their God and Saviour; and they became more composed and resigned.
As medical advice had been procured, we did not feel justified in having recourse to other remedies than those of the simplest kind, our object being merely to allay, or prevent, suffering. When the medical attendant returned, he was much surprised to find the disease had made such a rapid and fatal progress. He ordered the patient to be immersed in cold water. ”

“ Therefore, as far as local advantages could be depended upon, every thing tended to encourage the idea, that the parish was not so liable to be infected with the cholera as many other places.
p. 4Up to the month of July, 1832, when that disease was making fearful havoc at Plymouth and the adjoining towns, a flattering hope was still entertained that, by the mercy of God, we should escape. But it pleased Him “who ordereth all things with infinite wisdom,” and “whose ways are past finding out,” that it should be otherwise ”

“ On quitting the Hospital, and this heartrending scene, a note was delivered to me from a medical gentleman, stating he had “just been at Parsons’s house, at Underwood, to see more particularly old Mary Parsons. What a melancholy scene to witness! A place more likely to propagate the disease will scarcely be found, and on p. 45the ground floor too! The sight quite sickened me. Charles Taylor, brought home at two o’clock, is already in a state of collapse. I have sent to Mr. Langworthy to inform him of this, as I think he ought to be very actively treated.” ”

“ Near the western extremity, stands the venerable Parish Church, in a picturesque valley, within a few hundred yards of the three first-named villages. Colebrook is on the lowest ground, adjacent to a small river; Ridgeway is situated higher; and Underwood, the main scene of the disastrous ravages of the cholera (having been nearly decimated out of a population of 300, and where, at one time, 200 individuals were affected, more or less, with symptoms of the fearful epidemic) , lies east and west on the north slope of a hill which rises above a valley [2] terminating at the river Plym. ”

“ Rhubarb and p. 89ginger had been given to the child. I gave a saline draught, which appeared to check the sickness. The poor man required constant attendance, sickness and cramp being most distressing. I had sent for medical assistance, but at that moment it could not be obtained. What was to be done? The poor man was in agony, and the sickness violent, without an intermission of ten minutes. In this extremity, I gave him the same medicine which I had taken myself. In half-an-hour, the man was again extremely harassed, and the sickness was not abated. ”

“ Vegetables and fruit should be avoided. p. 106Strong affections of the mind, arising from anxiety, alarm, or excess of grief, are extremely injurious; therefore the mind should be kept calm, and if any symptoms, however trivial, should occur, medical advice should be obtained as speedily as possible.
If, through neglect, or any other particular cause, the second stage has come on, with violent sickness, cramp, cold extremities, weakness, and sinking of the pulse, &c. the disease is extremely dangerous. ”

“ The disease progressed so p. 15rapidly, that it baffled every effort to afford relief. Various remedies were tried, without the least effect. A vein was opened,—no blood flowed,—it was congealed,—and, gradually, between nine and ten o’clock, the poor sufferer ceased to breathe.
The news of this fearfully sudden death soon spread through the parish. Many a heart, with anxious throb, sickened under gloomy forebodings; and many lips, hitherto unaccustomed to prayer, began to seek, through that neglected resource, the mercy of God. ”

“ Well will it be for all of us, if, in viewing the judgments of God in the world, we acknowledge them as such; and in the endeavour to theorize upon second causes, we do not overlook the Great First Cause. ”

“ Into the hands of God she implicitly and prayerfully cast herself. She appears so free from that restless anxiety which frequently attends cases that prove fatal, great hopes are entertained of her recovery.
August 18. Mrs. Jenny Cocker, of Underwood, was seized this morning, at five o’clock. Dr. Cookworthy, of Plymouth, and Mr. Hook, the family surgeon, were present. The former had been sent for after the most alarming symptoms had come on; and when he arrived, she was cold, discoloured, and sinking under extreme prostration of strength. ”

“ About this p. 14time, she complained of sickness, and in less than half-an-hour, other symptoms of cholera followed with fearful rapidity.
While she was in this state, a neighbour called to see her, and advised her to try the effect of brandy. Her friends followed this advice, and gave her half a glass of brandy every ten minutes or quarter of an hour, until she had taken half a pint.
Between six and seven o’clock, Mr. Langworthy [14] arrived. But the second or cold stage had come on. The poor woman was more tranquil than she had been, but much exhausted, and harassed by continual thirst. ”

“ In compliance with the repeated request of some highly valued friends, these Extracts are offered to the Public. They possess no recommendation beyond that of being a plain statement of facts, for the authenticity of which, there are many living witnesses: and the writer of them humbly prays that, by the blessing of God, they may contain some hints which will be beneficial to his fellow-creatures. ”