Star. — London, England, 1818-11-12 00:00:00

.DR. BATEMAN'S ACCOUNT OP THE CON TAGIOUS FEVERaw.viRoUNTRY. Th s tsis a work ozkic6 it, on every account, calcu hied 'f6 riche attention . The topic is indeed, at all times extremely important, but is at this women: tendered peculiarly interesting by the alarming epi demic which still exists in the metropolis, and many of our large provincial towns ; and no person can be better qualified than Dr. BATEMAN to make a report of it : because he has held, for fourteen years, the office of sole medical superintendant of the House of Recovery•for the Reception of Fever Patients. Be sides the motives of a more obvious nature which might naturally be supposed to influence Dr. B. in wishing to leave an authentic history of a disease with which he has had so many opportunities of be coming thoroughly acquainted, he observes, 4 , that it appears to him to be worthy of record, as it exhi bits very distinctly a specimen of the common form, and of the common varieties, which the infectious fever has assumed in this country for many years past ; and which is likely to continue, under our im proved and improving system of domestic economy, to be the ordinary fever of our island."—The theory implied in this sentence, that the infectious fevers which have, at various 'successive periods, invaded the inhabitants of this country, have been really identi cal—and that the differences observed in thefr symp toms and their degrees of 'virulence have depended on the changes in our habits and manners, and on the means of prevention or cure which have been adopted—is afterwards more fully maintained and developed. Dr. Bavexan begins by noticing the connexion between scarcity of food and epidemic fever ; which appears to be so urlform, that we are justified In regarding the former as the ; cause of the latter. That fever is not generated by the mere ac- cemulation Oche putrid effluvia from decomposed animal mat ter, appears to be proved by the most decisive evidence ; though, at the same time, this is probably to be regarded as a power ful circumstance in multiplying and fostering it when once pro duced. And he observes, " The morbid and even natural ef fluvia of the living body, when allowed to accumulate by want of cleanliness and air, are unquestionably coalmen sources of feller." Whence the disease, once generated, is extensively pro pagated by the accessary circumminces. want of personal and domestic cleanliness, and crowded habitations without proper ventilation. It would appear that the most constant and characteristic symptoms in simple typhus, are a general prostration of strength, attended with pains in the head, and still more in the limbs and bath. Under all its modifications Dr. Bateman °banes, the skin remains dry ; and " no distinct humidity" is preceptible at at the decline of the disease In a Liege majority of the cases • in 19 only out of 678, did any thir.g appear like a evened dispo rens, that is, where the symptoms immediately subsided on the occurrence of the perspirition. With respect to the heat of the teady in typhus, we are informed, that it was seldom found to eicreraud beyond the ordinary standard of health, except in the febricula of children, a part which would appear to be much at varigucc with the statements of Dr., Carrie, who regarded . tie increase of temperature almost as theessence of the febrile action ; and the reduction of this morbid temperature, as the grand indication of cure, which is to supersede almost-every other remedy. Dr. Bateman expressly Informs us that, in a very great majority of the cases which have been under his cart, the heat has seldom exceeded 90 or too degrees. The typhus fever, in this simple form, with which nearly two- thirds of the patients under Dr. Bateneani care, during the pre sent epidemic, hive been affected, is not regarded as a danger ous disease • because, by simple treatmentend removal of th e extraneous ircumstances, which are unfavourable to the re-es tablishment of health, the powers of the constitution appear to be generally sufficient to effect a cure • but the result is very different in the complieateddyphus. This account variety of the disease, which fell under Dr. Bateman's inspection, " approxi mates very closely to the slew nervous ftrev, so accurately depic ted by Dr. Huxh.sin fever which manifestly differs from the putrid prailennalfeeer tteacriloct by the same able author, only is the less violence of its symptoms, and its more protracted comae." It is stated that. during the first ten days aides come plaint, the symptoms were net materially different, In the cases which afterwards became of the kind that is placed in this Se cond Clete from those of the First- At this period an increase of the general diminution of the vital powers was very percep. tihle ; and of all those which have usually been regarded as in dications of a deranged condition of the nervous functions ; but it would appear that the putrid or malignant symptoms, as they have been commonly styled, sandy ever occurred in the Ilouse of Recovery. Among 678 patients, two only had ex tensive ecchymoses, or livid blotches ; but even here the state was father indicative of a failure in the powers of the drculating system than of any change. in the nature of the constituents of the body, or any tendency to their decompositions or putrefac tion. This section concludes with some curious documents re specting the average mortality of the typhus fever, which hats been (beyond all doubt) greedy diminished, in this country, within the last century ; but it is not easy tole= any correct estimate on this point. The Section on the method of treatment occupies nearly one third of the volume, and cansot be studied with too much atten tion. Notwithstanding the great reform that has taken place since the errors of the humoralists, and the still more fatal prac tices of the Brunonians, Dr. Bateman remarks, that we have tot yet overcome ail our terrors of debility, and we still have recourse to our stimulants, although in less formidable tinsel.— These, however, except in a very few instances, and in the lat ter stages, are to he entirely discarded ; we are to commence with an emetic of ipecacuan ; then to administer a purgative : and afterwards, if the occasion requires, proceed to blood-let. deg, and employ cold drinks and external cold through every pe riod of the disease. Dr. ilatentat: has not, however, fannd the use of the cold effusions, as re:elm:tended by Currie, to answer the expecta tions that were raised it. its favour; it is often difficult to put In practice; it did cot apparently abridge time disease; and it would appear that cold washing with a spur. , e as generally a more ef fectual remedy. Dr. Beteman's ref on blood-letting are so peculiarly candid and judicious, that they deserve the utmost attention of all th:.se who are anxious to acquire the most cor rect judgment on this very important and much controverted question—" No appearance of languor or debility," as it is very forcibly and correctly stated, " should induce a disposition to swerse from a steady pursuit of the ardi-phlogiscic pan, in diet, regimen, and medicine." Through the whole pregress of the disease, except in souse cases towards its termination, Dr. Bate man enjoins that, whatever may be the appearance of debility, " the administration of camphor, ethereal fluids, aromatic con fection, and every description of cordial or tonic, and more es pecially bark, should be religiously avoided." The opposite treatment has, beyond all doubt, produced those very symp toms of malignancy which the bark and wine were supposed to be necessary to correct. All those appearances which depend on a morbid condition of the nervous system, and which bave usually been attributed to debility, are with much more pro priety referred to the effect of congestion, and consequent irre tation of the brain or its appendages. litany important pints are discussed in the section on contagion, which we regret that our limits will not permit us to specify farther than by a general reference. The most material et these points respects the die. tuner to which the contagion of typhus is capable of being con veyed by the atmosphere; a distance which Dr. Bateman con ceives, is much less than we commonly suspect, never p er h a p s extending more than a few feet front the source where it is ge nerated or accumulated, provided that free access to fresh air is admitted. In proof of this very Important position facts are cited from the works of Russel, Martens, aced others, respectieg the plague, as well as from Lind and Hay garth respecting levers generally ; and from the very curious ex periments of ('Ryan of Lyons, on the contagion of small-pox. Front these and other facts of a similar tendency, Dr. Bateman draws the conclusion, " that infection cannot be caught in the open air, even by a close approximation to the most tainted sources of it, the uncleansed person and contanthiated apparel of the sick : in short, that, to be rendered conununicable it must be condensed and accumulated in a CilainCti and unchanged atmosphere; or in the appar el or bedding, which ha s b een l ong sonnet with the patient. The practical inference.% therefore, are dear: nunviy. that app.. through the streets of as tafeeted co— ainether unfounded; that even in an d imager. treat peeing banieni l / 2 are sm!ngles c b i e g = pieliesd freer spreading b'y perfeeivestilaiion .111111 therefoes be escludvely relied gra I fiss4lo/1 ail a ilbe use ad eempbor:. tobacco, vine falleiszemoston, smawiiires, ir lead r a da have dapgeronousinsuflpupeLe. des7 4 , viosis l og laneealing the taint which ought to be re lieved_ by SLAVE ABOLITION IN ST. HELENA. ISLAND OF ST. HELIDIA, AUGUST 14. At a Meeting of a Committee, assembled at the Library this day, by the election of a Meeting of Proprietors of Slaves, convened at the Castle by his Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir HUDSON Lowe, K.C.B. Governor, Etc. and Council, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of abolish ing Slavery on this Island, Major C. R. G. HODSON, in the Chair, a series of Resolutions were framed and to, having for their object the future abolition a orgvery in that Island. The first Resolution declared, that from and after the 25th of December next, (being the Anniversary of the Birth of our blessed Sitvioua,) all children born of Slaves shall be considered free. The remain- ing Resolutions relate to the mode in which this hu mane object may be secured. They were afterwards presented to the Governor, with the following Address: " We, the undersigned Proprietors of Saves on this Island, do fully agree to the foregoing Resolu tions, framed by our Committee."--The namesfo!low. • TO HIS EXCELLENCY LZEUTENAXT-OENERAL sin HUD- SON LOWS, !C.C.S. GOVERNOR, ETC. ETC. " SIR—We, the undersigned, have the honour to state to your Excellency . and Council, that we have been elected a Committee by the general voice of the Inhabitants, at a meeting convened at the Castle, on the 13th instant, for the purpose of taking into con sideration the propriety of putting an end to the per petuity of Slavery, which has ever prevailed on this Island, have, with the concurrence of the inhabitants in general, resolved to propose to your Excellency' and Council to make the 25th day of Decembn next ensuing (being the Anniversary of the Birth of our blessed Saviour, Jesus CIIRISTO the eta of future freedom to all born on this Island ; and as some pro visions will he perceived to be necessary regarding the support of the liberated children during their ten der years, we have framed Resolutions, which bear the signatures of the Proprietors of Slaves, and we have the honour to inclose them, and respectfully se quest that they may be made a law of the Island.— At present, only one law regarding manumission exists—which is, to require a deposit of £l6O for each emancipated Slave. Many of us, and of those who have departed this life, have, of course, been prevented from thus rewarding faithful servants, whose circumstances would not admit of such a de posit. We regret that the example of our fellow subjects in the United Kingdom, who, with the most humane and disinterested spirit have moved the Le gislature in favour of the class of beings in the de graded state of slavery has not been sooner followed by the inhabitants of this Island ; but we trust it will , not escape observation, that as soon as the wishes ef , the Lords Proprietors were hinted at, through your Excellency and Council, the inhabitants in general, unhesitatingly and cheerfully, adopted such Resolu tions as we conceive consistent with humanity, and to as great an extent as our circumstances enable us to afford. In most families or. the Island, of what ever class, the household establishment is usually so much dependent on the services of Slaves, that a sud den and total abolition would subject the inhabitants to privations, losses, and expense, such as common prudence forbids us to attempt: and at the same time we have reason to believe, that as many of the per sons now Slaves, bred up under our roofs, supported for a course of years with kind treatment and com fortable subsistence, many of them far advanced in life, and totally incapable of earning the most trifling subsistence, a general emancipation would withdraw the sourceof their support, without advancing their happiness or improving their condition. We there fore dutifully propose us make the abolition gradual, which, in its issue, will be certain and comp lete.— We beg leave to suggest to your Excellency and Council, that in addition to the House of Correction which you were pleased to declare to us should be erected, and which we humbly conceive will be in dispensably necessary, an Hospital for the reception of sick Slaves, free Blacks, and other indigent per sons, is most desirable. The necessity for this cannot but be obvious to every person. It is impossible that the sick can be so well attended in a private family, and in most cases in confined and inconvenient habi tations, as they can be in a general Hospital, where proper nurses and every other requisite can be pro vided, under the superintendance of a medical man; and we have little doubt of the Honourable Court of Directors sanctioning such a measure, and allowing a medical man for that purpose, if the suggestion meets the approbation of your Excellency and Coun cil, and is recommended to them. We are certain that every master or mistress of Slaves will be pleased to pay a reasonable tate per diem for the care, diet, and medical attendance, of their sick Slaves, while lodged in a comfortable Hospital; and we are all ready to contribute something towards the erection of the building—and we are happy to add, that we are ca pable of bearing part of the annual current expenses from the funds of the Benevolent Society.— We have the honour," &c.—Signed by Me Committee. 1 ,1 I 1 I I 1 I\l PROCLAMATION. " Whereas by the universal concurrence of the in, habitants and slave proprietors on the Island, it was resolved, at a meeting held this day, that from -and after the 25th day of December next, (being the An- , niversary of the Birth of our blessed Saviour, JESUS Cultist) all children born of slaves shall be free, sub ject to such conditions and regulations as shall here after be promulgated , in respect t o th e i r care , an d to the services that may be required of them, in the fa milies by which they may be maintained, until they arrive at a fit age to be able to support themselves: This is to give notice, that the above is to be considered a law of the Island; and that from and after the 25th of December next (being the Anniver sary of the Birth of our blessed LORD and SAVIOUR) all children born of slaves on the Island are conse quently to be held flee, subject only to such condi tions and regulations as above.--By order," &c. (Signed) " ANT. BEAL; Dep. Sec. to GOT. a 17th of August, 1515." THE EVENING STAR, LONDON. TEN POUNDS REWARD. er Any Person furnishing such information u may lead to the discovery of the Person who lately brought to the Office of this Paper, a Letter signed " Wm. ill'u.tusts," and addressed to Thomas Reece, York -street, Westminster, will receive the above reward ; or the like sum will be paid to the said person himself, on.his corning forward and giving up the mid Letter, and real name and residence of the person who wrote it, or the person or persons who employed hint to bring it to this Office.—Apply at the Star-OfEce. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1818. THE FUND& PRICE Or STOCKS THIS DAY AT TWELVE O'CLOLK I S per Cent. Reduced 76i. 77-3 per Ct. Cons. 772 } Cons. for Ac. 71i 78—Si per Ct. 86;-4 per Ct. 9.51 5 per Ct. Navy 108.11—India Bonds 82 84 pre. Omnium dis.--Erchequer Bills 19 20 pre. Yesterday Consols were done at 74, and the mar ket appeared very brisk; but at the latter part of the day, and early this morning, an immense quantity of Stock was thrown upon the market, and they have fallen to 78. Money is exceedingly scarce, , and good Bills pay 5 per Cent. This morning on 'Change, a great monied capitalist gave 6000 guineas to receive 30,000 if Consols were done at 80, on or before the Account day, the 26th instant. By the arrival of Mails from various parts of the Continent this morning, we find the scarcity of mo ney is as great in other countries as our own. We predicted a considerable time since that this scarcity would be the result of the enormous demands for specie to make the payments on the numerous foreign Loans that have been recently concluded. The fol lowing is a correct statement of Interest for Money at the various places named : Phis 50 per Cent. Amsterdam 9 per Cent. Vienna. 15 per Cent. Antwerp 7 per Cent. Ilamburgh.....lo per Cent. London.. 5 per Cent. The Paris Papers of Monday arrived this morning. On Sunday the KING gave a private audience to the Duke de FFRNAN NUNEZ, Ambassador from Spain, who delivered a letter from his Sovereign. The grand annual chase of St. Hubert took place on Thursday, at Fosse Repose, near Versailles. The! Princes were accompanied by Madame and the Grand Duke CostrANTINZ. After a run of an hour and a quarter, the stag was shot by Mossixtrn. TAtlxvnAxu, who has been for some time at his' estue of Valensay, is expected at Paris, on the 13th or 14th instant. The articles of foreign intelligence in these Papers, ate few and unimportant.—The state of civil corn motion into which the Swiss Canton of Fribourg has bccti thrown, by the stupid attempt of its Magistrates to revive the order of the Jesuits, still continues. The inhabitants are interdicted from appearing in the streets, after ten o'clock at night, without a light ; and the presence of a body of artillery and carabi neers, is still found necessary, to keep them in awe. —The revision of the new Wirtemberg Constitution, it is said, is completed, and a new Diet will be con yoked for the Ist of March next, and elected ac cording to the mode established by the new Constitu tion, which will be put in force immediately after its publication, and without being submitted to the approval of the Diet. Private accounts have been received in town to day, from Paris, which state, that the French Funds have not maintained their elevation, but had fallen on Monday to 69. 15. being a decline of 75 cents. A Flanders Mail arrived this morning, with Papers to the 9th instant. The following are extracts: BRUSSELS, NOVEMBER 7. The 'Theatre Royal was last night extremely bril liant. At three o'clock the doors were already thronged by an immense crowd, and soon after the Theat r e was crowded almost to suffocation. Above MOO persons, to their great regret, could not obtain admission. The whole Royal Family, as well as her Majesty the Empress Dowager of Russia, the Grand Duke Michael, and the illustrious strangers who are there, honoured the Theatre with their presence. It would be difficult to describe the enthusiasm which displayed itself when those august personages en tered their boxes. During the whole representation the most perfect order and respectful decorum pre ♦ailed—the silence being only interrupted by reite rated marks of the public satisfaction. The accla. mations were repeated with enthusiasm when the il lustrious company left the Theatre. The Danish contingent returning from France will pass through this city in six columns, which will ar rive on the 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, and 22d, of this month, and take the road of Malines and Ant- HFerp. The whole corps consists of 190 officers, 3,490 subalterns and privates, and 1,284 horses. The Russian army began its march to quit France on the 4th instant. Several columns go towards Givet, whence they will proceed to Dinant and Liege. Before the 20th of this month all the foreign troops Will have quitted the French territory. The regi ments of Cavalry and the legions of Infantry, which are coming to take possession of the fortresses in IFrench Flanders, arrive successively in Picardy. Novt►tasat 8.-Ihe fete which his Majesty in- tends to give to his august V is fixed for next Wednesday. to decorate and illuminate streets through which their next day, Thursday, there v the Theatre in the Park. Ii the Emperor of Russia and be present at those fetes, an arrival in the City may be s Madame Catalani will .oth and 15th. NOVEMBER 9.--The fete : after to-morrow, will be v dyed persons are invited. I Alexander, is expected to-n pelle, whence he intended King of Prussia will art ive after the fetes which are p reigns will return to Aix said, their stay will be prole account of the multiplicit) subjects which remain to be The Second Chamber of to-day in a Secret Commit indefinitely adjourned. Two battalions of Hann , arrived here yesterday, cont. for Louvain, preceded by They have been suci.eeded verian column, consisting c i.itcp, Sol The claim made in the n Prince of Wag ram, to be of the estates composing th in Germany, has been rejet this principle as an inviol: moved by the spirit of just characterises them, have dl tanks should enjoy the rev the day of eviction (dispth fill with joy the hearts of a of widows, and orphans, i in those Provinces which Germany. AIX-LA-CHAPELI. The Emperor of Austria His Majesty has command( to the King of the Netherla able to accept his invitatioi It is said that the Dukc about the same time as a-hence it is inferred, with that what k improperly ca la-Chapelle, will be term tDis month. NOVEMBER B.—His returned to this city to-i Charles.—h is affirmed ti into consideration the fate terhazy has arrived here a Princess Metternich. The Cologne Garotte of t head of miscellaneous intel tide, which, in more respe extraordinary:—" We lean tion Whether thefrontiers o: Lower Rhine should extend the public wish has been so tided in the affirmative. In extensive district of Ruremc Givit, will pass under the cannot be doubted, the tov Maestricht, Liege, Huy, an .it, Germany would gain c the acknowledged valour c impregnable bulwark agaii The inhabitants of St. H termined to abolish Slaver: after Christmas-day. We speak of the extent of the but we should deem the al public provision which it sick and aged slaves, not events, the act has a hur plexion, which may be use At tfie last examination dras, of the candidates fc taining the Oriental lang amounting to one thousan4 to Lieutenant HENRY Wit Battalion of the 17th rcgin of the late WILLIAM 1k attainment of the Ilindost: This gentleman, in conseq ful application, has been gallant Sir JOHN MAzcor perior Officer, in the imp( of settling part of the nei Candcish. These Prizes a Court of Directors. The whose great and compre few of the ablest men of I the collected resources of ous atchievements in one butable, will probably rc .of these rewards. It is nc sary to our Eastern inter( competent number of Or civil, thoroughly will At. languages, that in so vast tory, where there inevitabl ing, amongst a people rer the earliest ezpressious o communicated.