Star.
London, England, 1831-05-31 00:00:00

CHOLERA :%1 ORBUS.

The article in the STAR of Friday, on the pestilential
cholera morbus, having excited the attention of a medical
correspondent, we have received and subjoin the following
obsprvations

On Pestilential Epidemics.—The cholera morbus of the present
I season, which has been so long devastating the Eastern parts of the
world, only resembles the Sorts Diud, or Black Death of 1348, it
the circumstance of its origin and particular course; the symptoms
are very diff, rent. Dr. Forster, in his Essay recently published.
1.. (hi the Atmospherical Origin of Epidemics," has ',town that
neither of these disorders are contagious; but, that all disorders of
this kind proceed from a specijic Malaria. a fact rather confirmed
by the observations of Dr. 3l'Culloch, in his book "On Bad Air."
IThe precise origin of this vitiated state of the air cannot perhaps
Le accurately ascertained ; but that the Lucretian doctrine of their
might is true, can he proved by an immense variety of correspond-
ing facts. The long and very unusual prevalence of the late dry
easterly winds, is probably connected with the spread of the pre-
sent evil, which seems. like many electrical Influences, 8/ extend
over vast tracts of country in the direction of the prevailing wind,
producing a more severe form of disease under its central part,
while a milder though similar complaint prevails in its outskirts,
or follows in its train. This remarkable fact is also observed of the
true plague, the yellow fever, and other epidemics. The quarantine
regulations may be proper as additional precautions, but they are
utterly incapable to prevent that which comes in the air itself; and
to a change of weather we must look, for the averting of this dread-
ful pestilence front Europe. The plan which Dr. Forster has re.
commended, for the keeping of a medical register of epidemic dis-
orders in all our colonies and distant possessions, as well as in
England, and comparing the medical journal daily with a diary of
.he wind and weather, and other natural phenomena; the success of
different modes of cure, &c. might be attended with great success,
and ought to merit time attention of our Government, now that we
have got a Cabinet composed of scientific and patriotic statesmen.
hitherto, the erroneous views taken of contagion, together with the
slovenly manner in which physical improvement has been over-
looked, in the pursuit of moral or political objects, has been the
cause why so little improvement has been made in this most im-
portant branch of medical knowledge; while the frightful and de-
vastating character of these disorders would seem to demand that
particular attention should be paid to the subject. It seems that
previous habit of abstemiousness, vegetable diet, and all those things
which nourish the body without overstimulating it, are the best
preparatory safeguards against pestilence of any kind, and give a
double effect to any counter-stimulants which may be employed
during its continuance. Opening the bowels is also a very important
preparation, when epidemics are expected.

Next Friday's Gazette will announce the Lord Mayor a
Baronet.

Sir Chapman Nisi-shall, Knt. sheriff. has been solicited to
become a caudidate for the n of Portsoken Ward, should the Judges
confirm the decision cf the Court of Aid, raten agai.:st the admission of
Mr. ScalLF,

It is itl, that in future the Master-Generalship of the
Ordnance and the C, tionaridership.imChief of the Forces are not to
be separate appuitioilents, but will be united in one and the same
person.
His Majesty, it is said, has announced his intention of
presenting a pair of kettle-drums to the first regiment of Life Guards,
on its return to the Windsor duty. Thus, though the second received
their's first, the first will be equally honoured at last.
Another party of medical gentlemen, who have volun-
teered their services in the cause of the Polish patriots, sailed for
Warsaw, from the Thames, on Friday last, on board of the steam-
packet, by way of Hamburg. They expect to reach the scene of action
in about fourteen days. They have letters of introduction to General
Diebitach, soliciting his protection in the event of their falling into the
power of the Russians.
It is believed that ail the King's 8303 and daughter, are to
be ennobled, and that four Dukes will be created—Anglesey Duke of
Mona ; Stafford ; Cleveland ; and Grosvenor ; Lord Sefton a Mar-
quis ; and Lord Foley an EarL It is also said that Lord Hertford is to
be the Duke of Suffolk, and the Duke of Buccleueh Duke of Mon.
mouth, and both to Nippon fioverutnem Lord Munster, the King's
son, gives his proxy to Lord Grey. There is no fear of the Peers
going against Reform. Four or five Scottish lord, will be made Bri-
tish Peers; hut no addition to the is at present contemplated.—
Glasgow Chronicle.