Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-08-17
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
The MAMMOTH CAVE, A Cure FOR
CoNsUMPTIoN.--Aw writer in the Journal
OF Commerce announces the curious and
interesting fact that the atmosphere of the
famous Mammoth Gave, ia Kentucky, has
Qualities OF the highest efficacy for dizeas-
ed lungs. DR.. Mitchell, most of whose
family have died of consumption, and who
was himself reduced TO a hopeless condi-
ton by the same disease, believing that
there were restorative properties in the air
of the cave, resolved to make it his resi-
dence for season; and about the first of
April he established his quarters near the
Star Cha 1iber, about a mile from the en-
trance, where he emerged for the first time
at the close Of June. His health and
strength ware so far restored that he rode
eighteen miles on horseback. He saws
that IN 4 week from the time of going in
TO the cave his cough was gone, and that
his appetite and strength increased daily.
He felt lonely the first week, but soon be-
came reconcied to his solitude, and now
would rather live in the cave than else
! where.
{ We extract the following passage from
the article in the Journal ~. Y, Spec.
My~opinion of the effect OF the atmos-
phere Of the cave is made up from person
| al observation. have known the cave
| for twenty-nine wears. I have been in it
at all seasons of the year, during all kinds
Of weather, both day and night. During
the late war Iargh quantities of saItpetre
were made at the cave and for this pre-
pared the carbonated aIkalies, which are
required in large proportion to produce
erysta llzation, &c. At that time from 80 10
70 hands were employed in digging up
the earth, &c. which covered the bottom
Of the cave and conveying it oy oxen TO
hoppers in the cave, about one mile from
its mouth. During the whole tine these
men were engaged, which was for three
or four years, there was not single case
of sickness among them.
The atmosphere Of the cave is dry
and the temperature even ard equal. |
have never known it to vary half degree
though the year, from 60 degrees OF Far.
enhelt. Combustion goes on we'll, lights
burn clear, spiralion is easy. The
f earth which had been lxiviated ane
thrown out of the hoppers, reinpr egnate
again IN about three years, yielding from
to lbs. OF nitrate to the bushel. Ami
: NAL: flesh will not purify in this atmos
/ phere, nor will vegetable matter decom
5 I-pose. Meat hung up in the cave a few
= days, becomes so strong " lmpregnatet
with nitre as to become unpleasant to th
! taste. The corn cobs left by the oxel
r which were fed in the cave thirty year
i }ago, are now In a perfect state Of preser
walton the logs used for water pipes ar
sound and good Animal flesh dries j
f. The cave, and becomes hard. These fac,
!, | state, that men of science may compar
y my conclusions and my premises together
. At this season of the year strong cul
rent of air rushes out of the mouth of th
! cave; 10 the winter the current change
TT and blows equally strong%into the cave:
ot The LExINGToN.-The divers hav
ot found the remains of this III fated steame
o and have thoroughly examined the ate
part of the hold. The centre was covere
by part of the bow, which had broken Q
81 near the engine and fallen over upon it,
T. The men say that :here is no sand 10 tt
10 ship, and nothing to prevent her being raj
ed, though she lies in hundred and twet
: ~ feet water. Il will be recoIected tn
al the iron chest on board the Lexington col
~ tanned large sum of money in specie ar
n. bank notes. So far no bodies have bee
discovered, and it is not probable that an
remained on board when she went dow
90 Arrangements are making to raise b,
n Observation-Disclosures Of Commerce.
& ORNAMENT Us. CoMFoRT.-A lac
is travelling, describing her adventures
sea and land, says that addiction 10 orn
ment, and neglect Inconvenience and cor
fort, is strongly characteristic of Anne
cans at present She illustrates her /
Nd mark by the fact that on board a stea'
led boat in the Chesapeake, she counted
less than seven handsome looking glass
~ in the cabin, while one towel was cons
Of cred all that was requisite in each washi
WI room!