The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-03-25
DAILY CRESCENT.
New Theory of Yellow Fever.

N
New Theory of Yellow Fever.
The March number of the New Orleans Medical
and Surgical Journal contains all article by Dr.
Mott of Mobile, Oh the causes OF yellow fever
Notwithstanding all that has been said or written
upon this subject the Medical world is so far from
having come to a definite understanding upon the
subject that physicians are not as yet decided even
upon the nature of the disease itself. Some con-
tend that it is malady SUI generls, while Others
consider it merely modification or aggravatlon OF
the common bilious fever. Among all the theories
OF the causes of yellow fever, the malarla seemed
to have found the most general favor; but Dr. Mott
has shown this view of its origin to be liable to
some almost unanswerable objections. The theory
which he proposes, and ably sustains, is supported
by arguments, which although not perfectly con-
elusive, are of such weight as to place ut upon
ground at least strong as that occupied by any
of the others. BY careful comparison of the facts
connected with. the development of yellow fever,
its progress and localities with the known habits of
many of the insect tribes or intusorie, he infers
that the disease is of anmalcular origin being
caused by the attacks of some invisible species of
insect. This theory, althoug h sufficiently startling
and we believe new, applied to yellow fever, is
not entirely novel. When the cholera performed
its memorable circuit it was suggested, we think,
by Partisan physician, that the epidemic might
be of animalcular origin. The doctrine, although
not very generally received, continued to exist, and
find favor with q numerous class, and is at this day
rapidly gaining ground
One of the principal objections urged against the
malaral theory, is found in the manner in which
yellow fever spreads any district in which it may
appear. As an instance of its habits in this respect
we will quote DIR. Motifs account of the epidemic
which occurred in Mobile in 1928:
Sin 1912 we again see the disease commencing on
the 29th of August, in Spanish Alley, very filthy
place near the docks, where it would naturally be
expected. From this point it spread with surprising
deliberations in northwestery direction, travelling
slowly from house to house, and taking more than
month to reach and extend along Dauphln street,
which runs the whole length of the town, dividing
it into two equal parts Its course and progress
could be traced step by step, and its ravages We're
confined to onehalf of the town, leaving the other
almost untouched Another epidemic appeared Ill
1913. commencing about the 18th of August, in the
opposite or northern extreme of the town, and pur-
suing course the reverse of the preceding year,
viz: southeast, and taking about the same length
of time to extend itself over the northern that it
had over the southern half in 1912, leaving the
southern part almost untouched
s'How is this slow progress to be accounted for I!
Why did the disease while the sea and land breezes
We're sweeping the town daily in every direction,
take month to extend halt mile, and then stop
in the heart of the town. If the morbific cause
exists in the form of malaria, which we only know
as united to the atmosphere if it can be influenced
by currents of air, or propagated by contagIon, Its
course and conduct could not have been such as
described 1t was literally migrating disease,
possessing an inherent power OF reproduction and
progression, rreconcilable with any known laws
of gases emanatons, vapors, or deWs.
Malaria if it exists at ALL must of necessity, from
its very nature be subjected TO all the laws of the
atmosphere must obey its motions and be guided
by its currents But it is proven that the cause Of
yellow fever, whatever it may be, is not governed
by any such laws. Itsometmes steadily progresses
in particular direction, as well in wet as In dry
weather, against the prevailing winds although
it is true that the disease advances more rapidly
in dry weather. These facts, in the history OF
yellow fever are. however, susceptible of expana-
ton by the insect theory, and by it alone. Many
diseases to which plants are subject, we know to be
produced by the attacks of insects. These are
sometimes so formidable, that they might, without
improperly, be called epidemics. The most familiar
instance of the devastations produced from this
cause, is to be found iii the ravages OF the Army
worm which frequently so much Injuries our cotton
crops The habits of almost all these parasitic
insects, strikingIy resemble what has already been
said of the mode of propagation of yellow fever.
The same peculiarites are found to exist In the
plague and some other diseases, and we may there
fore reasonably conclude that they also OF AMI
malcular origin.
'.Though chemistry has arrived at wonderful
perfection in analyzng and separating INTO tnelf
primitive elements the various mineral, vegetable,
and animal substances which surround us, yet the
laboratory has not succeeded IN bringing to light
any gas or product of putrefactlon which can pro-
dlce in The human frame tram OF symptoms re-
sembliug those of yellow fever; and this being,
and all the habits of the disease being opposed to
natural laws if we assume malaria as the cause,
we must reject that theory, resting entIrelyupon
Imagination and unsupported by any known facis.
g Admitting the truth of its animalcular origin,
the transmissibIity. although not the contagious
nature of yellow fever follows, for It is probable
that it is caused by an insect anmalcule bred on
the ground and in what manner it makes It's I'M
preston on the system, is but surmIse-ahd unless
The animalcue is, like that of Psora, bred III the
system we could no more expect 1t to be contagious
than the bite of serpent We can therefore easily
understand that ii may be transportabe III the form
of GERM and yet not contagious.
The limits of a newspaper article prevent us from
entering upon the subject any more in detail. We
have not room even to place before our readers the
number of interesting and important facts and argu
ments collected by DIR, Mott and made to bear upon
the question. 1t would be well to examine closely
the animalcular theory before rejecting it entirely,
it will, we think, he found to have at least as
convincing arguments to sustain and recommend
it, as any of the others.
Gz- George F. Buxton, Esq, an English traveller
in Mexico, has recently published sketches OF his
travels. In the course of these, speaking OF the
American regular army, Mr.. Buxton who was him
self formerly British officer, says There IS
vast disparity between the officers of the regular
army and the men they command Receiving at
West Point IAN admirable institution military
education by which they acquire practcai as well
as theoretical knowledge of Che science Of war,
then ore rrobohJu+ more disfingushed for military