The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-08
From the Louisville Democrat.
Malaria not the Cause of Cholera.

Whatever may be the cause OF Cholera,
it is in my judgment impossible to account
for it upon maarial theory. It's so perfectly
unique and anopalous in its character, that
is sets at defiance all the laws Of epidemics,
and con(ounds the wisdom Of the wise. II it
be dependant on malaris, how did it get to
Nashville, one Of the healthiest cities in the
world Any one acquainted with the topo-
graphical and geological character of the
country around Nashville cannot fail to per-
ceive the absurJity Of the malarial doctrine,
so fur as that city is concerned. Again,
ask, if it depends on malaria, how did il get
to Drennon Springs, to Bedford, and other
watering places remarkable for their exemp-
ton from this imaginary cruse of the pesti-
lence. How did it get to Hanover, one Of
the driest and best ventilated spots in Indiana
That little town, in few days, lost thirty
inhabitants out of population of only 200.
While Jacksonville, Brownstown, Columbus
indianapolis, and many other malarious cities
and towns have been but moderately affected
by the cholera In the autumn of 1882 we
had but four deaths in Jacksonville /; in '33
about twice as many. Last year we had
eleven and this year we have had twelve
The population of our city must be about
1000. In 1888, Salem, remarkable for its
freedom from malaria, lost nearly 100. Char
lestown, ina billy country, suffered severely
The sudden outbreak of the disease in your
city, is attributed to pond, or something
else, west Of the point of invasion; but I'M
fortunately for the discovery the wind through
out that day was from east TO Dest. The
following day it was but slightly variant. =
1t is fact worthy OF notice and fatal to the
malarial hypothesis, that in regions OF country
where bilious fever is an epinemic, the cho.
lera has prevailed but moderately. Among
the marshes, swamps, and bottoms north Of
Jacksonville, where the chills and fever ant
ague and fever are annual visitors, the disease
is scarcely known How is this exemption
to be accounted for' Why, sirs, from the
fact that the bilious habit in these localities
constantly prodom:nates, and excludes other
diseases There is a universal predisposi-
ton to disease Of an opposite character,
which takes precedence of other susceptible
ties. Hence | conclude that the settlers in
the malarious districts are safer than those r
other localities 1t is also fact that an over.
whelming majority Of the intestinal diseases
of maarious districts are Of the bilious cha
racter nearly all are the native bilious
diarrhea of the country. While ! do MOI
deny that the. Asiatic cholera may depend
upon physical causes, yet | feel assured that
we know nothing about its etiology. All
that we can do will not STAY its destructive
march. The hand of God is in it; and fol
wise and benevolent purposes, nscrutabe te
us, he directs the curse of the fearful scourge
in its mission of death. The best sanitar,
measures will avail nothing in the absence o
recognition of the providence Of God, and
reliance upon his power to shield us agains
the destroying pestlence. ...
am, dear sirs, very respectfully,
Your obedient serv't,
.aa#n .@5M N. FIELD, M. D.
JEFFEsRoNvrLLE, July &c, 1850