Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-06-25
FOR THE INTELLIGENcER.

FOR THE INTELLIGENcER.
 Marsh Mtasmata.-This ethereal gaseous sub stance which has for so long a time drawn forth the effusions of the most profound chemists, together with the efforts of the most scientific of the medical faculty, hitherto has evaded their grasp, and still ap- pears to be envelopedn the abstruse and untrodden paths of medical research. How long before this undefinable t0Iicum, (which is the remote cause of so many thousands of deaths,) can be detected and rendered innocsn: by the nutrazing power of some chemical combination, that the human family may with impunity, reside in those regions which have been fatal to enterprise and industry, caused by this whitening and potential defect in nature It Is true cannot alter the regular and organized course of nature hut it is certainly in our power to remedy those irregularities when the cause can be ascertaned.
 There have been various speculations advanced on this important subject. The discovery and de- structon of such formidable enemy of mankind would be acquisition worth the unceasing efforts of the combined scientific world for longer period of time than the French revolution: Yes, might say, than the siege of Troy Then if it can be pro- ven that the discovery of this lurking monster would be of such nestimable value particularly to those who reside in the tropical regions should not those who are vendors of antidotes to its baeul influence redouble their vigilence in searching out the luxu rant pabuem which this ethereal monster digests so easily, that in a short time his strides almost un definable in length and velocity until he lays waste whole district countryl
 Many suggestions and aphorsms have been. ad- yanced respecting this fell destroyer and antidoes prescribed but to little effect. There must be a want of enterprise in the chemical researches of those who reside in the vicinity of this merciless invader Should this be the fact, could there not be some means used of stirring up the slumbering faculties which have been dormant so long, and which would come into action and prove efficient if excited with energyl
 bava f,r Ao md da. fine almost all solids, liquids and nuids yet they have not detected the component parts of this Hydra which they suppose to belong to the last mentioned class Ii does appear to that step further of the viglent chemist, would detect this fuses naturG in some ofhis autumna frealSs which might be cur tailed by some nutralizing agent.
 The ideas shall advance, know will be some- what novel, and some perhaps, will say vague; ifso, will submit to the animadversion when they shew the sophistry in mine by more plausible theory or if they please, hypothesis. then will commence by saying that, malaria consists in an abstraction of the vital portion of the atmosphere by evolution of elastic fluids arising from putrlfacons of differ ent kinds, and want of free circulation of air, where heat is intense and moisture prevalent Sir Humphrey Davy and Mir Ellis have proven, or found from experiment, that growing vegetation absorbs oxygen and evolves carbonic acid gas which is in proportion to the oxygen consumed Hence, heavy tmbered low grounds, with luxurlent vegeta-
 
 the atmosphere, all conspire in the destruction of oxygen and the plentiful production of that rrespira- be gas which is more virulent it becomes con- centrated; producing variety of effects from in- stant death to the langor and slight debility which is felt previous to paroxysm ofintermittent fever. do not undertake to say that miasmata consists en- tirey of carbonic gas hut that it is in excess and aided in its poisonous effect by one or two other gases of minor importance, particularly ammonia. These gases entering the lungs accompanied with but lit tie oxygen prevents that necessary process which IS essential in the production of heat and llveness of action to the entire system. The process to which I have reference is the evolution of carbon from the smaller circulation in respiration caused by the re- ception of atmospheric air. which, coming in contact with the carbonated blood, unes it's oxygen with this mass anteralizing and renewing it with caorc, and at the same time evolving the excess of carbon that would otherwise prove detrimental. Thus we see that oxygen or carbon in throws the sys- tenn off that healthy balance which is desirable The former producing superabundance of excta- bility and the latter proportion of depression and langor visibly exemplfed in the application of mi asmata M. L. M.