Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-10

thai cause o. disease was removed. As winter
set in, however, We had constant alterations OF
cold, heat and moisture; and about the period, at
which the disease first appeared, the weather was
occasionally warm alter abundant rains, precisely
that state Of things most favourable to the pro.
cress Of vegetable decomposition aud the produc.
ion OF IyPnotd diseases The fever once genera
ted was rapidly disseminated. Several causes "a.
youred this, besides those aboveme ntioned. First
the general habits Of the student whose sedenta.
nv lives exposed them in peculiar degree 10 such
diseases; next,the alarm suddenly created by the
severity fthe first cases, coupled, as they were
in their minds, with the melancholy events of the
preceding session. and, perhaps, not least, the pre-.
cautionary measures which many of the Young
gentlemen resorted to, at the sugt estion Of each
other, without reference to the able medical advice
which they might have obtained from no distant
source. Such changes, it is known, are ALWAYS
prejudical, when net directed by Skill and indeed
1t may be questioned whether any change of ha.
bit, not essentially bad, can be beneficial as pre-
ventive OF disease. distinguished medical wri.
ter OF our own country, makes the following judi
cious observations to the point" During the
prevalence OF an epidemic disease, any material
change, Of whatever description il may be, i'm di-
ct, regimen, or habit, is attended with hazard
1t unsetes the SYSTEM if it does not actually de-
bitate II, and renders 1t more susceptible of NOR
bid Impressions. 1t is like suddenly unsettling
the condition Of the constitution by change OF
climate, which predisposes to disease--or altering
in the very face OF an enemy, the structure Of a
forti6caton which, while the process is going for
ward, is necessarily weakened, and invites an as
sIIlt."
In conclusion then,I venture 10 assert that a sur.
face Of probably more than one hundred and fifty
thousand square feet of wood lying horizontally &
In state ofaapd decomposition, combined with the
unfavourabie arrangement OF the dormtories ina y
be considered Insufficient, exciting cause of the
fever which has prevailed at the University, and
that originating thus, it probably in few in
stances propagated by human contagion.--If such
be the cause, 1t may be asked where is the re-
medy! 1t is with the proper authorities Of the
Institution to devise an adequate one. In the
meantime while they proceeding in their in
vestigatons, let the students he re- assembled to
their Lectures with the privilege of selecting their
boarding houses. There are two spacious build
ings unoccupied at convenient distance from the
University, sufficient to accommodate as many as
are likely to attend. There can now be no risk
In attending the lecture rooms and it is hoped that
no hl-founded alarm will induce those students
who value the pre-eminent advantages Of this no.
bic institution to change their alma mater.
CivIS.
NorR.-Since the above was written, 1 have
seen statement in the Enquirer of the Sd Inst.
in which it is said, that instead of being contin-
ed to the University, some cases of the disease
have appeared in one two Of the surrounding
counties" have interrog ated two intelligent ply.
sicians OF Charlottesville Zone of whom has very
extensive country practce,) and they both in.
form me, that they have not met with AN individu
al case of Typhus in their practice. There may,
however, exist afew cases purely sporadic.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
. We have been furnished for publication with
The following statement, prepared by the Faculty
Of the University of Virginia, about ten days since
on the subject Of the naady with which, it has
lately been visited.
the newspapers, that the public are uniformed
regarding tie state of insaubrity which has pre-
vailed for some time at the University, notwith-
standing the various printed letters which have
been addressed by the chairman to the parents and
guardians on the subject, the Faculty esteem il
proper to make the following statement of facts
Two cases Of Typhoid fever having existed
since christmas, and several students having be-
come affected with the same disease, few days
previous TO the 22d of January, the chairman con-
vened the Faculty, and reported the circumstance;
but the Faculty in the then incipient state of the
disease did not consider it advisable do more than
direct proper means OF prevention, il the cause
were seated (of which, however, they had no evil
dence) in the Dormories, by white washing, scour-
ing, SC.
One of the two cases of Typhoid fever terminat-
ed fatally on the 10Th of January, and on the 3Oth
no new case having made its appearance, s. there
being an absence OF every unfavorable symptom
IN the cases still remaining, the fact was made
known by the chairman to the students as well as
to the parents and guardians, with the expression
OF belief that the constitution of the atmosphere
had undergone some important modification.
On the 9th of February, however, the Faculty
were again convened, when the Chairman stated
his regret, that the favorable anticpations which
he had formed, regarding the disappearance of the
fever, had not been realized; that two new cases
had recently broken out, one Gf which was of a
most aggravated nature, whilst some of the 9th
eYs had assumed character, by no means favora-
bic. The Faculty then deemed it expedient to
suspend, for time, the ordinary exercises of the
Schools, and to grant permission to the Students to
withdraw, if they were DESTROYS of doing so, for
the purpose of avoiding the danger to which they
might possibly be exposed, by continuing in the
University. 1t was, consequently, determined,
that the usual exercises OF the Schools should be
suspended until the first Of March. But, to pre-
vent, as far as possible, any inconvenience from
sneh suspension, it was further Resolved, That
the Professor should afford, to such Students as
might remain, every aid, in advising, directing,
and experimenting their studies; and, so far as
might lie practicable, to such Students might
withdraw from the University. II was, moreover,
Resolved, That the Proctor, under the direction of
the Chairman, should Immediately proceed TO
rigid inspection of the Buildings and grounds adj
Jaesnt and remove any cause, il any should exist,
which might tend TO produce disease; and, for
greater saiubrity that he should all the Dor
mtories and Hotels to he thoroughly cleansed and
White washed. before the Schools should re- COM
mence their duties.
These determinations of the Faculty were made
known to each parent or guardian Of the students,
and suspension OF the lectures took place.
On the goth Of Feb. the Chm'n again summoned
the Faculty, to take into consideration the state Of
salubrty the Institution and to suggest the pro-
priety OF further suspension Of tle lectures and
other usual exercises, to period distant than
the first day OF March, as it was not probable that
the patients, who were suffering under the pre-
vailing malady, would, under the most favorable
circumstances, be restored to health within the
period Of fortnight, or be 50 convalescent as to
make II safe for the students to return at the ex-