Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-02-26


But however difficult OF detection, it is
certain that such a principle exists
Whether it is a gas sui generis, or a
combination of some of the foregoing
gases, or some of them in simple state,
or whether it consists of fluid particles
raised from stagnant water or marshy
ground, and acted on by heat, it is i'm
possible to determine. Notwilhstand-
ing the vast importance of the subject,
and the great attention which has been
paid to it by the most profound philoso-
piers, for many ages, il yet remains in
yolYed ia obscurity. But although the
nature of this principle is unknown, the
circumstances under which ii is produ-
ced, and its effects on the human system,
are less obscure. And indeed this part
of the subject is the most important Tor
us to understand.
1t is generally aaqited as the result
of almost universal observation, that
niasma is the cause Of Intermittent and
remittent bilious fsvers, and that this
miasma is the product Of animal or We
getable putrcfac,ion. Wherever animal
or vegetable substances are putreiyng,
this principle is produced. Our wood
lands as well as prairies produce it in
considerable quantities, when the heat OF
the summers sun hastcns the decompo-
sition of the vegetable Substances which
have fallen TO the ground during the pre-
ceding autumn, together with the roots
Of annual plants. The vegetation which
falls in autumn becomes but partially
decomposed till the succeeding summer,
when the heat ofthe sun, combining with
the moisture Of the earth, and of the new
vegetation which is every where growing
among the old, putrefaction rapidly sue
ceeds. This source Of miasina we ehaH
never get entirely rid of, because our
fertile soil produces vast quantities of
vegetables, which must, excepting those
which are destroyed by fire, be dccom-
posed by putrefaction. A very fruitful
source Of this miasm2 consists in the ac-
ton of solar heat on the grounds which
have been for some time covered with
water. Unfortunately the leyelness Of
cur country admitting Of water which
has been accumulated by heavy rains, to
drain off but slowly, gives cause for con-
siderable quantities OF nsiasnia from this
source.
But the damming up Of water courses
produces in the vicinity ofthc mill pond
the most prolific source OF the pas,i!en-
HAL cifiutiun. Our streams are SO
sluggish that darn across almost any
of them will raise the water in them for
several miles above. One dam across
the Cahokia creek in the American bot
tom, backs the water, following the
meantlerings Of the stream, fifteen miles,
as was proved on oath at a court in St.
Clair county. In this distance it COM
municates with numerous ponds and
marshes, which, daring high waters, are
filled with water backed into them from
the mill pond and which, when the
water falls, are exposed to the action OF
the sun. And it is thus with most Of the
mill ponds in the. state. The water,
during the spring Of the year, is backed
up the creek for several miles, and raised
io.o many SINAI. Pohas ana marshes
~nere vast quah'llies o, amman ane We
9e.aoie mater arc coiiectea. ms IS
ac'ea Oh ny INC wafer, wh'c'l IS eon'i''ua, :.
~ preparing II iot 'is sun 70 act on II
WIN greater erect
, nc WAFER prsPares many substances y,
iof ,n'reiac.'on' whlch' Without ", wouio
not nave potrelied at an OF Wouta nave
undergone me process SO s'ow'y as 10
olhinlsn vastly us eiects. TOT instance
wafer extracts from wooa an me gamhy
ana othef KINGS OF soiuoie ma''er whicA