The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-03-09


Of the inhabitants of unhealthy districts,
ofthe puny stature of the denizens of
closely built manufacturing towns, in com
parison with the large size ofthe inhab-
i,ants of mountainous countries. Expe-
rience and the laws Of physiology then,
alike declare that the best test OF the
health of a country is the physical de-
,elopement of its inhabitants.
l have visited many sections OF our
country and in no part Of it have seen
the mass of the population looking more
healthy, or having more of all the signs
of health manifested in their appearance
than on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
have seen some of the largest gather
ings of mon that have ever taken place
IN our Union, and with any of them, the
assemblages of farmers, that | have met
in nv professional tour, will favo;ably
compare-Golng through every part Of
each OF the counties during all seasons Of
the year has afforded me an opportunity
of knowing whatever amount of sick
ness might exist, and l have in the same
extent of population found as much
or more in those sections of our Union
accounted the most healthy than have
found on the Eastern Shore. The only
diseases at all prevalent are intermittent
and remittent frvers, and these only pre-
vail during a portion OF the year; and
they seem to be the best representatives.
against the numerous and fatal class of
diseases OF the chest which are so fearful
ly present in other parts OF the country.
Consumption, SO prevalent in many parts
is here almost unknown My own OBJ
serva'on, nd the experience of its resi-
dent physicians fully sustain this asser-
ton. The people, then, of this part of
our State suffer fora brief period of the
year under class Of maladies, which,
with proper treatment, are speedll y and
easily cured, and have almost total eX-
emp'ion from numerous class of always
dangerous and frequently incurablesdis-
eases 1t may be asked here, why then
has this section OF our State reputation
Tor unh-althiness which it does not de-
serve. The only reason which l can
give this: IN all of the counties on the
i'iIVl 1ilVlS 10 d CuStoHl vi having what
are called "public days" in the county
town, and frequently in other parts of
the county.-They are days set apart by
common consent for the transaction OF
public and private business, and where
many meet who have no particular BUSH
ness to transact. In this way several
persons from each neighborhood always
meet. and whatever cases Of sickness oc-
cur in any particular section are known
nhd told with sympathy all over the
county. In this way every case Of sick
ness or death is known, and from the
particular acquaintance and friendship
engend4rrd by frequent meetings Of the
people is felt as almost a calamity to
each family circle, SO that the amount OF
sickness is magnifed by the diffusion of
its knowledge, and has no actual ex.s-
tence over that IN other parts of the Tn
ION. More Is known of the cases which
do occur, no more actually take place
here than in the most healthy parts of
the country.
As this country progresses in its rapid
march of agricultural improvement, the
better and more perfect cultivation OF
its soils will remove many OF the causes
OF sickness which now exist. Thl,
should and will be an additional reason
for inducing. by all mea ans, the most
thorough cultivation and improvement
Of its soils.
l have dwelt somewhat at lenglh on
this subject TO oarrect the erroneous I'M
prrssions which .exist, and to show to
those in want of certain and profitable
employment, and of cheap and easily
improved lands, that they need not feel
any apprehensons on the score OF health.
Emigrants will find here, land cheaper
taking every thing into consideration,
than they can find IN the West, and
equally healthy, and # they are taken
sick or meet with msortunes OF any
kind; instead Of being subject to all the
privatlons OF a newly settled country,
they will experience every aid and as
sistance from kind generous and hospit-
able people.
The son OF Erin will be received in a
manner that will remind him of the
warmth Of his native land; the patient in
dustry of the German will here meet
with speedy reward, and the Magyar
will here find home amidst people ca
pable OF approaching his noble patriot
ism and chivalrlc love of liberty.
The surface Of the country is general
ly level. The upper par: in Cecil coun
ty is very billy; thence the face of the
country gradually changes into gently
rolling surface in Kent and Queen
Anne's until it becomes very level and
fat in the other counties.
Its scenery though deprived of the
grandeur OF mountains, is more than
compensated in beauty from its unrival.