The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-15

west was also rather slow for IL did not exeIid much
ond the province OF Moscow and at the approach OF
winter the number of in that metropolis became SO
small that hopes entertained for some time that II
was altogether subsidng There occurred however, du-
ring the winter occasional cases, from which there was
reason to apprehend that the increase OF the maady was
only suspended by the cold and dry state OF the ano-
sphere in winter and that II would again break out In
spring The disease accordingly assumed increased ac
tvy about the month OF May extending itself over the
whole city, and among all classes, though the poor
usual suffered the most and the number OF new cases
amounted daily several hundred The progress of the
disease throughout the country became also much more
rapid than during the previous year for 1t spread almost
simultaneously all the provinces OF the empire, north
east and west appearing II St Petersburg IN the begin
ming of June. It has, in the present month OF August
reached Finland and Sweden in lis northern and Riga IN
its western course whilst in the southwest It has attack
ed Constantinope and the provinces OF Walachia ana
Modava. following the course OF the Danube; 1t has
also visited Asia Minor and Egypt in its progress to the
south 1t is therefore probable that 1t may enter the
southern States of Europe by the Mediterranean, while
extending along the shores of the Baltic, and across
the frontier OF Poland into Germany.
The march of the Cholera, however, as OF most cpl
demc Diseases has been characterized both IN India and
Europe by irreguarity which bids defiance to all at
Temps apply to its progress any fixed rule OF cacula
ton The disease broke out formerly in St Petersburg
in June, 1884, and did not reach London till February
1894 1t then spread rapidly. in the course OF few
far the Alps 1t has, on the present occasion. taken
one twelve month TO travel from Moscow to ST. Peters
burg, while within the last three months has invaded
the whole of that vast empire, and has, with equal rapid
y pursued its along the shores OF the Black Sea
and the Mediterranean into Egypt Ii has been observed
sometimes to leave great tract OF country IN the line OF
its progress unaffected and attack unexpectedly some dis
tant place the direction and at others, to take
circutous back and invade the places that had
previously escaped. During its prevalence IN ST. Peters
burg 1881 sometimes appeared in every house on one
side of street, while the other side wholly escaped this
might however, depend the vicinity OF a canal, or
defect in the draining While, therefore, is pos
Al. utrV
for many months to dependence can be placed
upon its capricous course, and it will be wise to make
every necessary PREPARATION certain OF Its Immediate
invasion.
There is one popularity generally, though not always
attending its progress. which deserves special notice, viz
that in its advance from Asia to Europe, has usually
followed the course OF the great rivers and lakes along
which the trade OF these regions is chiefly cared and
this circumstance seemed to favor the opinion OF It's being
Infectious the infection, as was supposed being propaga
full examination OF the subject, however, this opinion APP
pears to be altogether groundless.
Many observations prove that damp state OF the at
mosphere OF the circumstances the most favorable
to the development OF the disease. This the general
condition OF the air along rivers and lakes, where the
banks often marshy and covered with mist In 1881
when the Cholera broke out IN the Polish army while
conendng with the Russians the banks OF the Vistula
it observed Gas reported to me by DR.. Dalmas who
had been sent to Poland by the French government to
study the dsease) that whenever the Polish army
pied low and marshy positions along the river. there was
Immediately rapid increase of the Cholera among the
troops, and that each time they removed to higher ground
the disease Immediately decreased 1t was the banks
of the Thames, and where the drainage was mos. deec
tive that the disease most prevalent and fatal In Lon
don in 1882 and it was in low, damp. and ydrained
localities throughout the three kingdoms that its rayages
were 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 bargemen engaged in the traffic is of
vegetable and ndgestbe nature, consisting chiefly OF
large quantities of cabbage, salads cucumbers &c which
they often eat in the raw state and with bad OIL labor
hal Isatr hrtr fhnrf
subject, at all times to suffer from darhGa and dysen-
tery it is not therefore, surprising they should easily
fall victims to such disease as the Cholera.
State of the aseaher in Russia in 1s4s.
The last winter in Russia was dry, moderately cold,
and the fall of much less than is usual the spring
set in very early. the Neva being clear of ice, and the
navigation open nearly month sooner than is generally
the The weather was fine and dry, and the tenn
peraure mild, in March, April and the beginning OF
May There was great prevalence OF severe influenza,
complicated with sore throat in February and March
and April and May, the number OF of intermlt-
tent fever, and also Of darhga and dysentery, (com
plants generally prevalent at that season was much
greater in the hospitals than in ordinary times During
the latter end of May and the whole OF june remarka-
BILE change took place in the weather There al
most constant high winds, shifting frequently and sud
denly round to every point OF the compass and often
companied with torrents of rain, and sometimes thunder
This disturbed state of the atmosphere was indicated by
sudden fangs and rsings OF the barometer sometimes
to the extent of between one and two inches. The
changes OF temperature were equally frequent and rapid
the heat being, for several days together, great
high as from $40 10 900 of Fahrenheit and the air ex-
tremely sultry and oppressive, with damp. relaxing
south wind and then suddenly, change OF wind,
and sometimes the of thunder storm, this
oppressive heat would be succeeded by great cold the
thermometer falling much as SO in few hours, SO
that it several times in June low the freezing
point
Another popularity in the condition of the air the
disturbed state OF its electricity This clearly demon
sraed by the fact that the electric machines could not be
charged and great extent, lost their power gen.
orally happens whenever the atmosphere is damp and
settled. The remark made respecting the
strength of several large magnets and it has been
ported since left St Petersburg that the weather having
become more settled, the ELECTRIC machines and magnets
have recovered their power This disturbed condition of
the electricity of the air also indicated by the pecu
ay depressed and uneasy state of feeling which almost
everybody complained OF, more less-some entirely
losing their sleep, whilst others slept heavily than
usual Few persons in fact, during that PERIOD escaped
health This generally indicated, not only by the
depressed and uncomfortable feelings Just mentioned but
by loss of Appetite foul tongue occasional nausea,
vomiting and rregularity Of the bowels. which were
sometimes confined, but more generally relaxed, state
of health obviously creating strong predsposton to
that the had forsaken their usual roostng places
the public gardens of the city and suburbs they
generally found in great numbers, and had flown to
the nearest high grounds.
Topography and Climate of 81. Petersburg.
The site of St Petersburg and the surrounding country
above the level of the river Neva The city is ntersected
by several large canals, in which the water is nearly
stagnant, and emits in hot weather unhealthy efiuva.
The air is also contaminated with the noxious exhala-
tons proceeding from the public prvies and from the
open cutters of the streets The drainage of the city is
difficulty owing to the low level of the ground, and the
want of slope. The city has been exposed on this ac-