Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-31

regrets exceedingly that there should be INV dis
crepancy: as to facts between himself and Sydney.
he may have over estimated the superficial extent
OF decaying plank the roofs Of the several build-
ings at the University. 1t is probable, that his
estimate was much too large; he had not, when he
wrote, the opportunity OF ascertaining by actual
measurement: he made his calculations a. aacu-
rae'y as he could from such data as he then pos
sessed; but II is probable that the estimate of Sgd
ney Is as much below as that Of Civis was above
the reality. Has Sydney included in his actual
survey the. roofs Of one hundred and ella
ven dormiories and adjoining porticos Has
ne included tho unbroken combinations OF
The covering of the porticos the lawn
nhe Hat roofs OF several hotels and large payil.
| lions, the covering of the Gymnasiu the Ana
tomical theatre, &cs 1 presume not. Has he
| heen very minute in his examinations Of the ex-
tent. to which decomposition has taken place: I
was led by accident 10 examine the roofs on two
OF tho ranges some time before the appearance of
The fever, and observed the decay TO have pro-
| eeeded TO such an extent, that the seepers were
| IN some instances rotten, and ] am informed by
others, who have seen the whole, that the decay
Is considerable throughout. l am not solicious to
press into the service OF this argument, more facts
oil this. head.
The. only question would seem to be, can dead
vegetable natter, in state of rest, exposed to the
action oil certain degree Of heat, and disposed
as 10 letsin sufficient moisture, aid in the produce
uon Oh such fever existed at the University!
~ De admitted that il can, and repeat that high
meaicai authority sanctions the belief, whatever
L -
GENTLY extended surface to excite apprehension
rom that source. Sydney asks, " why has not
the.same fever occurred at Monticelo! where
mere are extensive terraces much decayed!Sydney
certainly is far too intelligent not TO have drawn tho
uisunction IN his own mind the superficial extent
Is comparatively small. The extreme elevation
OF Nionucelio, causes the decomposition to be less
rapid, IRON the absence Of moisture, as is abun-
dantiy proved by the fact stated by Sydney him
SELL VIZ that the covering Of the Gymnasium has
required an entire renewal in the short space Of
hve years, while the terraces at Monticello have
scarcely called for partial renewal in nearly
thrice that space time. There are few tenants
occupying confined apartments underneath. The
family few in number, dwell in large and COM
nodious apartments, in the most airy mansion in
Virginia
1t is fact, however, not unknown to Sydney.
u he has been for any time resident in or near
charlottesville, that eases Of Typhus did occur
among the servants even at Monticello, s. that the
disease beginning TO spread rapidly, arrested
by the Judcious interposition Of an active member
] oil MIR. Jefferson's family, who, ascribing to
some cause in the house where it first broke out,
mad the patients removed and the hut demolished.
.iau not these measures been resorted TO-, we
should, no doubt, have had an epidemic depending
upon some latent cause, {" hidden in the recesses
OF nature" A similar timely interpostion, might
nave arrested the disease when it occurred at
Montpelier, and the latent cause might have been
dragged TO light The wooden buildings, in cities
10 which Sydney refers, seldom constructed
as to favor rapid decomposition. They present an
with paint, and throwing off the water almost as
rapidly as 1t comes in contact with their surfaces.
iheir decay is, therefore, very slow; but SO,
they favor the production of disease to certain
extent Ask the inhabitants of Petersburg and
Savannah, what is the comparative heathiness of
their respective towns now and formerly. With
out reference to theory, that since repeated ires
nave swept away their numerous wooden build
ihgs' and these have been replaced by others of
more durable materials, the cases of disease have
diminished in the proportion of at least four one
tls. indeed, strange, that Sydney's information
and mine. should differ so widely. Since the first
appearance OF the late disease, Civis has been very
rarely within the precincts of the University
The impression that all Typhoid diseases nav in
certain circumstances, become contagious, and the
paramount duties which he owed else where pre.
vented him from induging his desire to contribute
10 the comforts OF the few of his acquaintance,
who were among the sick. But he had almost
daily opportunities of collecting information from
unquestonable sources, and upon the information
mus obtained, his statements thus predicated
The fatal case at one of the Hotels of which Syd-
ney is informed, is unknown to the III atel Keep
ers' unless he alludes to the death of Student,
who was removed to vacant Hotel short time
before his demise. l am still assured that
only ftco WneQuiUocdI cases Of the " epidemic"
mad occurred in the families OF the Professors-a
lew children were affected with slight fe-
Vers. which, from their character and DURATION
would, under different circumstances have been
regarded as merely ephenersl. But, admit that
all the Cases, which the Faculty, from abundant
eauuoh, Ihciuueu IN telr report, were, IN fact,
cases marked by every symptom of the prev ang
" epidemic" they seven in number nclud-
ing, suppose, the case of the Janitor, and one
oil the servants attending as nurses there would
appear, then, to have been the proportion of s to
6o-the number of white members in the fami-
Hes oil the Professors ard Hotel Keepers-afl Of
Whom, except one family, have remained at the
University, making the proportion Of those affect
ed In IL, while, in reference to the actual mum.
Der OF Students at the University, at any time
since the first appearance of the disease, would
shew The proportion not TO exceed one ia four and
the majority even Of those, fed on the alarm be-
coming general. The extern Students have been
wholly exempt. Does not such state of things
suggest the necessity Of thorough investigation,
before we rest satisfied that there is no ascertaina
BILE cause! Give the the theory of Civs to wind
II you please; he is not tenacious Of one ot or tit
tie appertsning thereto, tho he was not as rasf,
IN The publication as Sydney believes. He com.
municated his views TO two Physicians, in whose
discrimination he, in common with their acquain-
iaDces generally, reposes great confidence. They
Doih concurred in the opinion; and one of those
gentlemen assured him, that he had, for some time
entertained and often expressed his conviction OF
the influence OF the cause assigned Be that as IL
may, will ask is not he, who calls for enquiry
iuh' impartial and patient enqury-more efectu-
any contributing his mite 10 the advancement of
the permanent interests of the University, than
'hat other, who steps forth " armed in panoplyn
ready to denounce every suggestion, and to sti6e
every enquiry, with his pompous proclamation of
" odnsd fafet" CIvIS.1
N Bit may be proper 10 observe, that do
not apprehend the least risque TO the Students, IN
obeying the late call Of tire Faculty The disease
seems exi'nct-and full precautionary measures
are in rapid progress.-C.