Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-03-13
TEaEarfa.
Or the Causes Of Laternaafing and
Renitfiag Fscers Us hey occv an
The Valley Of The Mississippi
BY D. PRINCE, II. D.


It.heoomes an interesting inqliry,
how far can these poisonous emana-
tons pass before becoming decompo-
sed, or so much diluted as to BE- pow
erless? Over plain it is probable that
the dilution soon becomes sufficient to
disarm the enemy; but from he effects
we may suppose that when wind blow
ing over marsh passes up ravine
lined by high hills on each side, the
poison may pass a much greater dis
lance in concentrated state. And
some suppose the malaria may in this
case retain its virulence the distance of
three miles. While residing in Ad-
ans county, near the Mississippi, the
writer frequently saw exemplified the
conducting power Of these defiles, ter
minating in the rich and in many pla-
ces marshy bottom land Of the river.
At the head Of these ravines, and a
long their course, are frequent and re-
freshing springs, presenting strong
temptation 10 erect the dwelling near.
But observation. often repeated. has
shown these situations to be as I'M
healthy as the borders of the sloughs
and marshes from which the air blows.
As these ravines open upon the bottom,
the bluff recedes on each side. making
on each side of the rivulet fine gar
den spot; and al these places also rill
gushing from the rocks often browns
all idea Of faint in the atmosphere
These places are found, however. far
more unhealthy than situations along
the base of tie bluff. little distance
on either side of the mouth OF these
ravines. So again, houses situated but
short distance in the rear Of these
rocky boundaries Of the river bottom.
especially il thiek growth Of trees
intervene, are found 10 be very little
Influenced by the air blowing from the
prolific sources Of malaria in the
sloughs and marshes Of bottom border
ing the river. If we must live near n
source Of malaria. the Intervention of
hills or forest is fortunate -circum-
stance; and many accounts are given of
instances in which localities previous.
" free from malarious Disease have be-
come unhealthy after the removal of
ST ID barriers.
If from circumstances we are obliged
80 -.~.-.;,, raar n source of this poison,
the windward eiIo oho"lI &c possible
be chosen; and if the wind shifts, we
should shit our position.
The intervention of water, as well
as that Of high objects, seems capable
of preventing the unpleasant results of
this agent: and some have even fixed
quarter of mile rs The greatest dis
lance which the malaria cnn pass, over
either running or standing water. 1t
is highly probable that this agent has a
strong affinity for water--if indeed
this fluid is not essential to its very
existence--and that The gas which
would otherwise float on. becomes abb
sorbed by the vapor constantly rising
from the water, and is soon precipita-
ted to its surface. Numerous instan-
ces may be found recorded in medical
journals of entire exemption TO all re-
naming on board ships moored near
an Infected coast, but frequent and IA
tai attacks with those spending much
time upon land.
In an account of fever prevailing on
the east coast of Africa. the author
says he "had a vessel of 100 tons moor
ed within the reef, for the purpose Of
protection from sickness. All who
slept on board escaped; every victim
seen or heard of, had passed at least
one night on shore, and not one slept
on shore with impunity. The same
occurred every where else in that re-
gion."*
Il would seem, then, that water is
certainly projections: and hence the
greater healthfulness Of a residence on
rivers bank than one little reno
we'd. and surrounded by the damp alln-
vial soil; and also the comparative cx-
enption Of travellers passing up and
down our rivers upon steamboats,.
From the fact just alluded TO. It
would seem that at least 10 that climate
the poison is much more powerful at
night than during the day; and null
titude Of facts might be brought pro-
wing the correctness of the conclusion;
for though tie men could visit The in
fected coast in the day time, to remain
there at night was death. In this tenn