Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-11-25

4
cales throughout the three kingdoms, that its ravages
the greatest.
Another circumstance which favored the extension Of the
cholera along The rivers in Russia and the East is that the
diet OF the hrgemen engaged in the traffic is OF vegetable
and indgestibe NATURE consisting chiefly Of large quantities
Of cabbage, salads, c,cumbers, &C. which they often
the state, aud with bad oil aborng hard this poor
diet in hot weather. ey very subject all times to su-
fer from darna anddysentery it is not, therefore, supri
sing they should easily fall victims TO such disease the
cholera.
State Of he Weather in Russia in 1918.
The last winter in Russia dry moderately cold and
the fall OF snow nuc less than usual the spring set in
very early, The Nesa being clear Of Ice aud the navigation
open nearly month than generally the The
weather fine anddy, and the temperature mild March,
April and the beginning Of May There great preva-
ence of severe Influenza, complicated with throat
February and March and in April and May the number
OF intermittent eveT and also Of darha and dysen
terry, Complaints generally prevalent at that seasoD)
much greater in the hospitals than in ordinary times. Daring
the latter end Of MAJ and the whole Of June remarkable
change took place the weather. There almost
slant high Winds shilling frequently and suddenly round
every point OF the compass, and often accompanied with tor
rents Cf RAIN and sometimes thunder This disturbed
OF the atmosphere indicated by sudden falling and sngs
OF the barometer sometimes to the extent of between and
two inches. The changes of temperature equally e
quen and rapid the heat being, for several days together
very great high from $40 900 of Fahrenheit and the
air extremely sulty and oppressive, with damp relaxing
south wind and then suddenly, change Of wind, and
sometimes the occurrence Of thunder storm, this oppres-
e heat would be succeeded by cold the thermometer
falling much 5lo in few hours, that il was several
times in June AZ low as the freezing point. X.
Another peculiarly in the condition Of the air the dis
urbed state Of its electricity. This clearly demonstrated
by the fact tina. the electric machines could not be charged
and, to great extent lost their power generally happens
whenever The atncsphore damp and unsettled. The
remark made respecting the strength Of several large mag
nets; and has bean reported, since left ST. PetesbUrgh,
that the weather, having become settled the electric
chimes and magnets have recovered Their power This dis
urbed condition Of the electricity Of the air also indica
ted by the peculiarly depressed and uneasy state of feeling
which almost every body complained Of esssome
entirely losing their Sleep while others slept heavily
than usual Few persons, in act during that PERIOD
capped suffering from some degree Of arrangement in their
health. This generally indicated, not only by the de-
pressed and uncomfortable engs just mentioned but by
loss of appetite foul tongue occasional nausea vomiting
and egularity of the bowels which sometimes con
ned but generally relateda Of health obviously
creating strong predisposiion to such disease the cho
era. II also remarked the had fosaken their
usual roostng in the public gardens Of the city
suburbs, where they are generally found great numbers
and had flown to themes high grounds. E.
I Topography md CLGaute Of ST. Petersburgk.
The site OF ST. Pttersbugh and the surrounding country
is not healthy being flat and low be little raised
above the level of theser Neva Tie city ntersected by
several large Canals which the wster is nearly stagnan
and emits in hot weather unhealthy elmia The also
contaminated with thu noxous exhalatons proceeding from
the public pves and from the open cutters OF the streets
The drainage Of the cy is imperfect and improvement is
attended with some difficulty, owing the low level of the
ground and the slope. The city has been exposed
this account to the destructive oveuwngs OF the
Neva and all the dwellings below the surface OF the ground
occupied mostly by the foor abuay damp. The houses
are badly supplied With water in consequence OF Its having
to be carried from the keya and purchased in retail instead
Of being conducted ntothe houses by pipes under the c
ton OF the Goyernnento OF public companies. Tee people
also often drink the foul water OF the canals although this is
prohibited rather than be at the trouble and expense of pro
curing it from the rvn The Of the Neya itself
rather apeen, causing usually darrho in strange until
they become accus,oma it. For many miles round the
city the country Is fiat ne of il common and it is mpcr-
iecy drained that there frequently arises in The evening,
during the hot season, thick damp MIST extending the
l whole district.
The climate st. Pe,ersburgh, especially in spring and
summer consequently damp and relaxing, the inha5.
tans very subject to yphus fever, diauhna dsen;ery,
and scorbutus. The damp and relaxing state Of the am0-
sphere was complained Of berg oppressive his year
than usual On removing to the nearest high grounds
felt immedi gey reFed from sensation OF great weight and
Inguo which returned going back the city, rpgi-
men OF the guards having been brought from the camp
the high grounds DO duty in the city, severely attacked
with cholera, while persons complaining Of indpusiton
being sent TO the country recovered by the change
OF air.
II will appear evident from what has been stated that ST.
Peteburgh prdisosed by the pecuArts OF its t,po
grsphy aud climate suffer severely from such disease
the cholera This edsposiion still further increased by
the habits and peucs of the people The month of June
when the disease appeared is the period of Of their long
religious lasts OF three weeks Duration The people abstain
all this time from the Of animal food Of every kind in.
Guiding milk eggs and butter The diet consists chiefly Of
geabes and fruits such cabbage cucumber and other vae
ties Of the pumpkin e, dried mushrooms salads &C., which
often eaten raw aud dressed with bad oil and vinegar
Their ordinary drink a kind NJ beer, made Of rye
meal and malt fernented called 9uass. They greatly
addicted also, to The Of ardent spirits This Diet besides
being very lowering for sborng people, Of create
a tendency TO boHe complaints. Although the Archbishop
allowed tie people dispense eh the fast and the Emperor
ordered meat FOR soldiers such the strong attachment
of the lower classes their accustomed rites that they
ally continued the observance Of the fast aud often
found difficult 10 persuade them TO take little broth,
although the saving their lives seemed TO depend their
being sustained by suitable nourhmen The people
also very fearful md suspicious Of the OF medicines
unknown 10 Them and consequently apply for med-
cal advice, aud especially to enter the hospitals.
Sanitary Regulations adopted u 81. PetcrsJwgk.
Nothing could wisely devised and ably executed
than the sants preparations made for the relief Il the peo-
pie by the Board Health, under the direction Of the Gov
eminent The city divided into districts, and ample hos
pta accommodation provided by appoprang the greater
part Of the existing hospitals for cholera patients, and erect
ing where necessary large temporary wooden hospitals Ia
all these the best arrangements made for supplying
promptly baths and other Of applying heat to The body
and adequate number of medical appointed
attend them There also medical inspectors allotted
each district who visit the people in their houses
Of the disease reported, and attend
those who would not be removed to the hospital list Of
the and addresses of the medical inspectors left at
the police stston Of each district, in order that by inquiry
there the people might obtain prompt assistance NJ any time,
night day Very good instructions printed and widely
circulated among the Inhabitants containing all the precau-
4 a. u. t~