Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-20


,h.t az vet there has been no evidence OF the dis
CASE having been conveyed by merchandise
do not intend to say that the disease IS not
con,, oious: but do mean to say, that u 1t be,
II cmTd not be brought to this country unless the
disease was on board the ship during the voyage,
cr some special pains were taken to charge some
narts of The cargo with the contasoh. though
do not believe it possible that it could be done.
INV What is the evidence on the subject oil
the contaeions Doctors Russell and Barry. two
eminent British physicians whow sent to fus-
si, +, examine the disease, pronounced u 10 De
in all respects the same as the cholera OF inula'
Int owe no opinion as 10 its contagiun ms
latter disease has been thought by very few on
is of the British medical officers IN the East IN
dies to be contagious, but on the contrary IL mas
been pronounced by hundreds to he oil non-coh-
tagious character.
Nearly all the physicians of Moscow, after It
RACED some time, were unbelievers IN us coIta-
eious character; 50 was the celebrated Dr. Al
! 6ers, who was employed by the King OF Prussia
to investigate this very subject The opinion
said to have been gwen by the physicians III 81.
Petersbursh is worth no more than an opinion tnat
mipbt be given here or in England, as it was pro-
oonnced before the disease had arrived there
The fact is, that wherever it has been an INT
mense majority of the physicians who have had
ample means of observing II, have declarcd it
,on. contagious, whilst il has been pronounced
| contagious BY those who have not seen 1t.
H.. introduction into st. Petersburg. nofwth-
standing the Gordon sanitaire, and all the other
measures of precaution that were adopted, Is a
pretty strong proof that it must have found It's
way there by some other means tnan by those
of contagion. 1t is well known that the small
pox, a disease of very contagious character
can he confined to small extent Of country by
much less rigorous means than those which were
adopted in Russia to arrest the progress Of Che
lera.
Still do not say that it is not contagious, tho
sufficient evidence has not been produced 10 sa'
tisfy me that is SO.
I'd. With regard to the second source but lit
lie need be said. By malaria is meant the ex
halation arising from the decomposition OF veee'
table or animal substances capable OF producing
disease and occurring at particular seasons of the
wear and in peculiar districts of country. 1T ex-
erts its influence in a very limited sphere, dis
lance Of few miles from the seat OF the pesti-
Ience being oftines perfectly healthy. 1t arises
from the soil at certain seasons of the year in
some particular ATTITUDES. though some years are
more favorable for il than others.
This then cannot be the source of the Cholera,
which appears in a great variety of climate, in
all seasons of the year, and extends over vast
tracks of country.
Sd. The third source from which it may arise
is the atmosphere. Though we are entirely ig-
norant of the change that takes place in the at.
mosphere, which renders it capable of propagat.
ing disease, the fact is no less certain that It
sometimes does so. 1t is particularly noticed by
Sydenham, who called it the epidemic constitu'
ton Of the air, and there are several diseases
which are communicated in this way. such as in
Inuenza, scarlet fever, and measles. though the
two latter are generally suffered TO be propagaicd
bv contagion also. Diseases, which are convey
ed in this way by the air, appear at all seasons
and in all climates, and with rapdity that is
wholly unknown to contagious diseases. They
usually affect the feeble and those broken down
BY intemperance and excess, in the first instance,
but others fall victims if this state Of the atmos.
phere continue.
This would seem to be the most probable orr
gin of the Russian Cholera. and the prospect of
its reaching our shores is far less greater than if
1t came from either of the other causes. We know
not, however, to what extent the ocean may mo-
dify the air, and dsarm it of its infectious pow
err IT. probable it would do much; but wheh-
er it does or not. our greatest safeguard must
consist in living temporarily and abstemiously,
|
and not placing too much reliance on quarantine
regulations.
The Boston Daily Advertiser of a subsequent
date contains the following on the same subject
which shonld be read in conncxon with the fore
going article:
This scourgc seems to advance rapidly towards
the most civilized and most populous parts OF
Northern Europe. and with unmitigated force; 1t
becomes US, situated rs we are beyond its imnle.
diate sphere, to calmly study its progress. and
enaeavor to profit by our geographical position in
keeping it. il SO it is permitted by the Supreme
Disposer, from our shores; we would not excite
fear, but arouse caution. A writer of ability in
the Advertiser of yesterday appears to regard
guarantees of less Importance than they are ge-
nerally considered. and he advances several facts
as iusiifyng his opinions. Of these facts there is
some question Of the accuracy.
lst 1t is stated that vast majo'sty of the To-
reign physicians, including DR.. Albers. were un-
believers in its contagious character. They may
! baye heon en- at first but subsequently ha, q Dub-