Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-10
From fhe Petersburg InteNigencer.


Mr.. DICKSON,
In times like these, when the
great dearth of interesting news renders 1t
difficult for some Editors to fill up their CO.
lumns, and induce others to reduce, their
sheet, it may not be amiss to endeavor to
promote the Cause of humanity by publishing
essays and extracts from valuable produc-
tons which may have that tendency.--f
YOU think, that the following address to the
Planters Of this southern cline, will come
under the class of writings alluded to, and
You have a spare column in your next paper,
you will please give it place. 1t is taken
from an excellent work, and one which
ought to be in the family of every intelligent
House-keeper-" EzueLPs Medical Comha-
MON )" publication which lays down the
symptoms aud progress of disorders incident
to our climate, in as clear and comprehen-
siye manner as any treatise on the subject;
and whose mode of cure comes up to the
present system of practice as near as can
be, and places it in the power OF every head
of family TO give relief to the sick, where
a physician cannot be had in time to check
disorder in the onset.
The season of the year is now approach
ing, when remittent and nervous fever may
be expected to rage - when heat and mois-
ture combine to hastenthe corruption of a.
ninal and vegetable substances, and fill the
atmosphere with maismata."
HUMANITAS.
Petersburg, lilly 27, 1912. s5fa' y ~
PLANTERS ATTEND
-" And here cannot but breathe the
most fervent wish, that my numerous
friends, the Planters, for whose service
chiefly this book is intcnded, would be per-
| 81.
ness in the persons OF their Slaves. That
the constitution of the African is more firm
than ours, and better fitted to sustain the
tolls of warm climates, is very certain but
it is equally true, that his daily labors, with
! the sudden changes of weather, often put
| his constitution, good as it may be, to trials,
which loudly call for every aid that huma-
nifty can possibly afford him. OF these aids,
! next to- plenty of wholesome food, Cleanli-
ness is one of the greatest. 1t is, indeed, a
medicine both of body and mind. The poor
est slave, however degraded his condition
may be, mas still left portion of mind,
which can never be totally insensible to his
/ outward appearance. Cover him with rags
and filth, and you not only injare his body
| by obstructng perspiratlon aud corrupting
the fluids, but you attack him iii his mind
knowing that he appears vile and loathsome
to others, he becomes much more SO to HIM
self. This idea corrodes reflection, depres-
ses his spirits, and in conjunction with other
| causes, often brings on diseases which press
him to an untimely grave. Whereas, by or
| dering MIN frequently To battle, and by at
! fording him three changes OF apparel, of
which he could always have one clean, you
would greatly refresh and comfort him both
in mind and body. Thinking that he makes
! decent appearance in the eyes Of others,
| he becomes well pleased with himself, and
| looking on his Rezg habit, however cheah and
sintfLe, as an evidence of his masters at
fection and value for him, nc feels at once
the touch Of an honest pride in himself, and
of friendship for his master, which iightens
his task and swectens all his tolls.
(" But if cleanliness be Of such Importance
to the healthful, now much more 50 60 the
sick slave When sinking under the heat
and burden of his labors, can it be good poll
cy To suffer him to be put, ike a mere ami
NAL, into narrow, dirty cabin; there left,
with scarcely child to hand him " cuh N
coll svater," with no food but dry bread,
and breathing the fetid atmosphere Of a
sultry, filthy habitation In such circum-
| stances, what but miracle can save him
| from destruction'
" Having been frequently an eye witness
Of such scenes, (of which the owner him
self was, perhaps, ignorant,) | feel il 10Y du-
| " to advise hEn, not only for humanity but
interest sake, to erect for his slaves, espe-
cially fine have many, cheap, coarse kind
of building as a. hospital This building
should be Sxsd On some spot, enjoying, in