The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-05-26


Mn EpuoR-I have waited with no little
anxiety, during the last six months. IN the
hope that either the Trustees of the Illinois
and Michigan Canal, or the corporate autAo-
rites Of Ottawa, would make use Of some
efficient means to prevent the water which
leaks from the canal, from spreading through
the town, and causing the remark of the late
Benjamin {. Mills, Esq, Of Galena, to be
literally verified. But | hayc waited IN vain.
Mr.. NJ. was IN Ottawa during one of the
wettest seasons, some years ago, when build
IngS were >o>carCe that was not very easy
to find good shelter from the .'pcltIugs Of
the pl'IlcSS Storm" and remarked that cot
tawa was about the best trDggeyH. nOkcrL
and ESiefy That he knew off, Since the
water was let into the canal. the "froggcry"
has rapidly improved; a few more breaks
IN the basin, side cut, or canal, viii complete
the ''iiNhery," and perhaps improve the
''snakcry." Bat apart from al! trll!ng and
TESTING, permit the to say, that the present
aspect Of things in relation to the drainage
OF water from the canal is ominoUS Of evil
that the Inconvenience our citizens expert
cnco IN consequence Of muddy streets, wet
gardens, and flooded wells aud cellars, will
prove 10 be but small item in the list Of
balyiul influences the present state Of things
Is destined to inlict upon them, unless an cg-
ticicnt remedy is speedily applied.
Having >pCntt~enty- live years Of my life
IN the study and practice Of medicine. aud
having examined with much care AID atteu-
ton the topography Of various sections OF
many Of the states where the endemic fe-
ycrs, commonly called fever and ague and
bilious lcycrS, are rife, speak from expert
cuCc when say 10 my fellow citizens OF
this town, that no more prolific source Of
these lcvcrS can be found than that Of rich
alluvial soil fully saturated with water, but
yet not rorcrei, aud fully or partially expos
ed 10 the direct rays Of the sun during the
summer months, Such is the soil ON " hich
this town is situated, particularly all those
portions where the water has vet spread
near the surface. Although the water may
not rise to the surface in the south parts Of
the town, yet It most aSsGrrdly passes be
meath, near the rock, making damp or wet
cellars, vltia'ing the water in the wells, and
will ultimately saturatc the soil to the sur
face. Prior to the commencement Of this
year, the mortality Of thi, town, during the
last Il years, had not exceeded one person
ont OF 80 annually which is not greater
than that oi the most favored portions Of the
United States. Ih, fact can be verified by
I'.''tnVt 10 ,'e "'"'leht temeteneS. In
this estimate do not include the Catholic
population. Ofthat have kept no memo
raudum. do not believe, however. that
we U'a'"' III an Ina, portion OF our ropuia-
ton have reached, during the II years. in
-, out Of the actual residents Of the town.
me average amman lnoFtaIiy OF 'He plFuG-
I'' 'L'''H an" .uN"> "I inc Ohl''d states va
nc i'oH' !" ~ 10 IN ~ rom 1911 10
A'iD 'ut dH"""l ho''d'l'! 81 lul> town, aside
u"" llt N''Hu"I tUp"'tuuh' ia" uu' exceed
J" WV on" III one "i ihoNe years there
N''. D'' gro "1.H,A m q gDil"nNJHgf ebOHi
't,,s "A".',a' Inc most sa'"Ou'uS district
III "'IaI h'II"'I Is IN dIeS, aud That shows
d" amman uncertainty 81 III rom ~ 10 w
o"' ''t mo'''''y o! Hir'l bt''dlu generally
Is as -t'"' as l"at oi lhe On'lgd States.
linus We see ihat ottawa Wi! hold iavor-
"''' yoI'i "'L'"' t"i''" p'"'NS, WIN the
most HeA'."S localities, SO lar a. mortality i
concerned hit tne mortality, since this
yea! r."'"C "'V", mas pee" more IMAM quad
p'' '""' ~ any FORMER period ol Ike length
VI June "a" h'' attribute i"'N to the canal ;
ii mas "''n produced ny combination OF
causes among ""G4 are IA complication 81
',''>,'' ." "I''V"'' I'NtF>, measles, auH lu-
car '''"i''Ia"o"' Affecting TIE bronchial and
'1"-'i maN'uS complication that does not
U''',' occur '""J"mty. nave mentioned
me foregoing facts from sense ct duty tina.
owe |" '"t community, 10 correct the i'm
y'v,,''n' 80 E'"'ta!'y current abroad. that
:, ,,'""" ." ''.y S'n"Y pace. But hes
, 'im not 10 say mat tne health o! the town
N,.' VIC seriously ""'c'to' unless prompt aud
vi''.'y',t measures are take" I" carry oil the
m",tt wa. "'"rlS from inc can'i, "lde cut,
a,'" 'T'"'r' nc "Her !Ne SON can be Kept
~ "'',i roo'' '' '"Ni'' ',c nta'iIitf II VIII
w. ,"y ''S''' >'a'e OF 'n'"Ss must not De
"',,.'t 90 '""'"'"'' unless we HeS're to
,, ,';,'S''S ne ',e 'eaNeS OF
",F.' q" ~, l"'''Oc' an" o!'OutF' lSPeak
g., p'' y".''t VI ,''''ICS' ~ inns matter
-. '' unseen 't "'!"Cu!'!, selected
"n Wv 'oi w.! t'S"t,'cc ""'cI, Is III no WISE
.h;. ,,iI, ~ ~, ',u mu',' ''."' VIC '",'"I' nat
s T , Ivy eH,','p' ''ic nor an! OF our '''
",". ''V"' NC o''c'"i 'n'"ehtC OF thc MaI2-
70" ','t WIN 'ne','ao!y ARISE rom the sur
'""''"."S wei ''''"S, IL permitted TO remain
, "'','' amy" nor from Tue hoNlouS eNhala-
AlDliN dliNlH lINlll ltt manure tlut