The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-08-28
For the Express.
Cause and Prevention of Cholera.

| Mn EDIToR.-On the near and almost inev
table approach Of CHOLERA in our midst, it il
highly necessary that every citizen, and especi
alv the public authorities, should be on the gu
uire for the prevention and amelioration of such
devastating pestilence.
Although the phenomena of the appearance
and extension of this malady, cannot well be re-
conciled with any hypothesis, still it seems to be
generally admitted, that it takes its origin from
some deleterious cause with which the atmos-
phere of place is pregnant; and that this ditta-
sed atmosp heric infuence-this poison-is por-
table; and therefore communicable from person
to person, yet, the vehicle or individual may es-
cape with impunity while ne communicates the
disease to another but more fit recipient who
falls under its scourge.
How is this dreaded epidemic to be avoided
or rendered innoxious?
| l. The exclusion Of infected articles, or the
destruction of infection existing in them.
g The dlution and destruction of the infec-
tons floating in the air or in any other medium.
The first Of these preservative means may
not always be in the whole expedient, but the
last ought to be thoroughly and vigorously atten-
ded to without delay.
Let the citizens and authorities be impressed
with the following facts, and they will no doubt
see the necessity of more immediate and
thorough action in the matter.
The miasms or calculations from the soil and
especially the ebuoia from animal matter or
from regito animal matters, during decomposition
aided by moisture, produce great variety of
diseases, according to the temperature and hu-
mildly of the air, and the quantity and activity
of the miasms or efluvia floating in it; but the
diseases thus produced will not propagate them
selves. !fho,cecer any epidemic exists in the
country these diseases will almost invariably and
Immediately assimilate and ultimately become
the true existing epidemic. Probably this arises
from the somewhat doubtful suppositon, that by
a small particle ofepidcmic poison, innoculatng
these exhalations, it is consequently multiplied
and reproduced, as yeast multiplies itself during
The fermentation Of beer Hence the necessity
ofthe board of health at once appointing efficient
ward inspectors to visit each and every place
within their limits every second or third day for
the abatement of all nuisances and the purifica-
ton of such as may be unavoidable One case
exists within my own knowledge and | have
heard of several others where impurities enough
exist to contaminate whole neighborhood All
such places should be examined and cleansed
every summer, whether we dread the approach
of cholera or not
The free use oflime ought to be had recourse
to by every family in the city for their cellars
yards and out houscs-presuming that they will
first as far as practicable have these localities
thoroughly cleansed. This should be duty
prescribed by the common council and cncun,-
bent on all. Instead of lavishly scattering lime
on the sandy soil of the public streets, it would
be infinitely better, if it were used in those places
less open to public inspection; and that the care
of the streets were left to ditchers and scaven
gers.
If lime cannot be conveniently had by all, ci-
ther from the difficulty in procuring it or the
want Of means, then it should become the duty
Of the board to cause it to be sent round in wa
CONS so long and as often as it may be required,
md those who have money would purchase it at
cost and paupers should receive it free.
Whatever obscurity may overhang the excite
ng causes of epidemic cholera, there can be very
title concerning predisposing influences.
Every circumstance or thing which has a ten
lency to debilitate the body such as scanty
unsuitable clothinp filthy locali-
les, crowded houses the want of fresh air, and
NTEmrERANcE: but to this last more than to any
other single cause, may the proclivity to be-
come affected by this species of cholera be as
'rbed, and especially to the Incorporate and
aabitual use of distilled spirits.
This fact was peculiarly manifested in the Sc
lection by the disease of its victims in England;
and am sorry to say not less SO in this country.
ClVIS.