The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-02-15

SMALL Pox. 1t will be seen, by the re-
port of our Selectmen, that the disease
which has prevailed in town for three months
past is now extinct, and we have no reason
to apprehend the recurrence of any more
eases. We cannot now state, precisely, tie
whole number of cases which have taken
place since its first appearance, but it will
hot vary much from thity-fU of which fve
have died, and the rest recovered. A ma
.iority of the cases have been very slight.
GONE OF THE PEOPLE" thinks that the
extract we published in the Spy of the LIST
inst, presents an entirely different aspect
from what it would, taken in connection with
the premises and therefore requests the
publication of his whole communication, be-
lieving that the publication of the whole, in
the first place, would have saved F. 1.-THE
correspondent of last weeks Spy) "the
trouble fsupposing case" In compliance
with this wish we suhjoin the original COM
munication entire, with the exception of one
epithet, which we believe the writer HIM
self, on a reconsideration, would have omit
ted.
Mr. EDIToR-As there is much excitement
and CONSERVATION in the community in conse.
quence of acontagious disease now preyaino
in Worcester, it seems desirable that all the
facts and circumstances respecting its origin
and progress should be laid before the public,
Your correspondent Y. some weeks ago, pro.
mulgated theory of this disease so consistent
with established facts, so satisfactory in it's ap.
plicailon to the present emergency, and which
would reconcile so many jarring" opinions re.
specting the identity of certain diseases. es.
pecialy the identity of THIS with Chicken Pou.
that il is matter Of deep regret, to all lovers of
system and settled principles to see the con.
fidence of the public set ahoat, by the PROPOSE
ton of new theory by your correspondent F.,
in last weeks Spy. The theory of your former
correspondent is, according to this, despoiled of
all its comeliness by the omission of the ma.
terial fact" mentioned by F., viz: " that Cank.
er Rash and Chicken Pox" both prevailed at
the same time, in Worcester in the first part of
this season. Now, since Canker Rash has, for
some time past, ceased to exist, the theory pro-
posed by F. for consideration; that Canker
Rash and Chicken Pox, by some sort of " ANAL
gamation," should generate I" a monster differ
ing in character from either" would seem to be
very natural and logical induction from the
premises. But your correspondent F forgot
another "material fact" which, it is feared,
will prove fatal to his su opposed theory, and the
community will be again thrown into confusion
by disease without cause.
If F. had considered moment; it would have
occurred TO him as law of the animal econo.
my, that, Hybrids do not possess the power of
reproduction. Now his theory would satisfac-
torily account for the origin Of this nonstrous
disease but since its progentors are extinct,
how should it continue 80 be prepagated The
Asinine and the Equinine species may ANAL
gamate" so as TO produce mule, but this latter
animal has not the attribute of propagatjnp its
race. These remarks are raade for inquiry and
to elicit investigation, with the hope that some
of our Medical gentlemen will explain these
mysteries, and enlighten us on a subject so in
terosiing to all. one OF THE People.