Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-05-11

mer determine especially to the liver and other vlscera of the abdomen, whilst those of the winter a1ect the lungs, or vscera of the thorax. Reason ing from facts and circumstances we should rather be induced to wonder that the human constitution is not more subject to disease, from the action of exter nal cold, and from great and sudden yicssitudes of atmospheric temperature than that there is so great degree and proportion of immunity and exemp- ton. The animal machine "is curiously and won deriuliy made; and Tn it's various complicated and delicate construction, there is nice and accurate adaptation of parts and functions to the diversified uses and necessities of the system. The diurnal waste attrltlon, and expenditure of the frame is re- pared oy the regular supply and refreshment offood and sleep; but as in machines of human construc- hon something Is lost and injured that cannot be re- pared, lhS loss, slow and imperceptible as it is Tn the healthy constitution, marks the gradual pro- gress and dllapldation of advancing years Thus the stmoy and the stately oak, that has long stood
 The storms defiance and the nocks defence" yields at length to the slow canker of decay, and falls wlthered and sapless trunk Yet nature is klnd anu benevolent m her purposes towards man and when her laws and precepts are observed she generously lengthens out the span of his existence ana adds to the sum and zest of his enjoyment But II her councils and admonitons are neglected and despsed short life and infrmty are the pnnisbments of dlsobedence and rebellion. Why do we in ci iles md so many sckly and decaying beings blight ed m the zenith of life, and whitening in the bud and bloom of youthful promise and expectatjon3 Be cause the plants that destined for the invigo rating exposure of the open air, have been renuefeu the sickly eAoes of the hot house and confinement Mans duty as enoined by nature, and his well be- ing and enjoyment are inseparably connected; and as by exercise labor and exposure the frame is in vigorated and rendered hardy and resisting to exer nal impressions, so by sloth. inacton and confne- ment, is it rendered weak inirm and unresisting.- These are truths and principles in physics of univer sal interest and importance to mankind and were they duly considered and acted upon inconsidera- ble proportion Of human suffering would hG prevent ed But in persons intended to succeed by intellec- tua skill and application there is d proper medium between the exercise of the mind and of the body Exclusive corporeal labour, though it may invigo- rate the animal frame, yet impars the nobler and n- telectual faculties by suffering them to remain inac tive so, on the other hand the undue and exclusive exercise ofthe understanding though it may strength en the mind, yet, by want of proper exercise of the stamina, weakens and impairs the body And the more plodding and mechanical the labor that is the more exclusively corporeal. the more obtuse and limited will be the understanding.
 Yet the gentleman of the liberal professions the statesman, and the author should never suffer their confinement and mental application to cause them to neglect the duty which health requires at their hands in saluary exercise and relaxation. These precepts are applicable te the prevention of multiplicity of disorders, which apt to nest the fashionable and higher circles of society.
 w now hasten to the more immediate subject of this communication. You are fully apprzed of the char acter of the last winter. The cold weather com menced with the shortest day, the 20ti of Decem- ber On the 2lst of which the mercury in Fahrenhets thermometer stood at 12o above zero. From this time to the 18th of February the cold was severe and unremng surpassing in intensity and dura-
 on that of any other winter since the settlement of the country by the present white inhabitants. On the 9th of February, snow fell in Dallas county to the depth of three four inches, in the more nor
 herly counties the fall much more considerable This unusual severity of the weather was not con fined to the southern portion of the United States but was general oyer vast extent of country. In several of the northern States the snow in many places in drifts, of four, five to tewny feet in height The roads were rendered impassible the rivers were obstructed with ice; and wood became scarce that many poor families were under the necessity of burning their scanty furniture to pre- serve themselves from perlshng. In Washington City fuel was supplied to the poor and destitute by special act of Congress. In some instances per- sons travelling iroze to death upon the road. In
 this State instead of the avalanches of the north our country inundated with floods of ran On
 the 10th 11th, and 12th of Dec. fell the most inces- sant and tremendous torrents that had ever been poured from the windows of heaven since the settIe- ment of the State. From almost the lowest stage of water the rivers suddenly rose, nundating extent of low grounds, carrying away cribs of corn, and stacks of fodder and drowning and destroying much stock About the middle of February the se- verity of the cold moderated, and the season be- came mild and pleasant until about the middle of March, when we had some cool, clustering and chan geable weather for ten days, the wind often shift
 ing to the northwest, producing frosty nights.
 Throughout the winter catarrhs or bad colds were common Cases of pleurisy sometimes occurred, though probably not so frequently in former years; yet in this respect great diversity occurred in differ | ant plap nd | 1r.,lo hanp ed, that such situations had been the most subject to fever the preceding autumn also most liable to pneumonia and catarrhal affections. Pneumonia or peripneumony was the most common form of in- 0ammatory affection. These infammatory afiec- tons appeared to differ from those of former years, in being more disposed to run into the asthenic or typhoid state; blood letting being seldom authorized after the first three four days, the pulse at this time becoming small, weak and frequent. The head was also frequently affected with pain, and sometimes there was considerable derangement of intellect and delirious wandering. The lining of the throat and windppe were, Tn general more or less nfam- ed, producing hoarsness, and secretion and dis charge of inspissated phlegm Fby coughing. Some- times this inflammation extended to the air cells and substance of the lungs, constituting pneumontis, peripneumony, inflammation of the lungs. The distinction between this and pleursy is that the lat ter affects particularly the lining of the chest, or pleura and the membrane covering the lungs. In peurisy the pain is more fixed and more than in peripneumony, the cough drier, the fever more considerable, and the disease rapid in its pro gress. In perpneumony the face and lips more purple and tumid than in pleurisy. The symptoms of both, however, have consderat e resemblance, and they are much disposed to run into each other, or to coexst in the individual, and in practice there is but little utility in the distinction, they are both to be relieved by the same remedies. The usual causes of both pleurIsy and perpneumony, sudden vicssitudes ofthe weather: the body becom- ing heated by warm rooms, the exercise balancing,