The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-20

organs, ss we'll as the poisonous moisture oozng
in the intenslbie perspraton from the pores OF the
skin, we hnd the putrId evaporation from their
damp, hllhy bedding and clothing; combine with
these the corrupt erSviR Of their unwashed fish,
which putrifes upon their bodies, from the time
they embark to the period Of their arrival on these
shores. their limited quantity of drinking water,
their abomin ably prepared, spiced, dried or sated
food, prepared and cooked In sea water; the nume-
Tous vermin infestiDg and covering their berths and
bodice; all unite, and by their united influences,
supernduce the most direful diseases upon those
constitutions debneted by starvation, or predis-
posed TO, and dependent spon, such poisonous and
exciting causes these, 10 destroy the eauilibrl
um of the snmal functions. But we have other
causes Of great end overwhelming potency, still
more destructive TO health and life than even these
in which cases no vital reaction takes place, arising
from the poisonous calculations Of various gases,
from the filthy collection in the ships bottom known
as " bge water"-an unctious, oily, black, thick.
muddy and disgustingly fetid fluid.
These gases are produced from the mixture and
decoinp0sitiOns, and new chemical combinations of
portions Of the numerous substances, escaping from
the various caTgoss such as btuma Gus coal, acids
and alkalies. metals wines, spirits, sugars, malt
liquors, pitch, tar, roen, DC. DC. In addition to
these is the powerful decemposing agent, in the
electro galvanic acton of the copper sheathing In
connection with the other metal, and the seawater,
upon all the above named substances. Thus, the
most viTulent and malignant poisonous gases are
formed and evolved, filling the body OF the ship
Will tutlI uOAOub duu Qcduty Influences. AuQ 10
these the various and multitudinous spillings of
stale animal and vegetable food upon the berth
deck, the accidents Of children and sea sickness.
the Wondering provisions an clothing, from their
close confinement and dampness, all more or less
purifying, and sending forth their noxious aid,
with no outlets but the limited hatchways-ihe
wonder then presents itself not how or why ships
of this class become sailing pest houses, but how
80 few are affected by these causes, and how 80
many, as it were, miraculously escape altogether.
Hthese phenomena, although daily demonstrated,
escape the unobserved or unprepared minds OF sea
fariDg men, W lille engaged in the Ito them) more
important object the abstract principles OF meteor
illogical phenomena of the clouds and winds upon
the ships course, it must strike the philanthropc
and obsevant mind, that to these vtiated combine
tons, acting upon the animal syste mthe consequent
derane ement of the animal functions, to the men
tai and physical prostraons, we must look for the
several diseases termed "ship fever" and the i'm
ported Asiatic q cholera, &c. &c. There c IN ex-
ist little doubt that the pro ximate cause Of these
ship diseases produce the same phenomena as do
those which superinduce the genuine epidemic,
Asiaiic cholera, VIZ. the non-electrc and carbon
lied state Of the blood or, IN other words, these
vital power OF the blood Should bad weather over
take the emgrant vessel, requiring the closing of
the ''hatchways,' the pent up poisons Immediately
produce their drefu effects upon the battened down
and half suffocated living mass. And now, when
vitality and nourshmentare most required to resist
these exciting causes, by supporting the animal
system, the passengers cannot get upon deck tor
"nouthfpl' Of fresh air, or for the purpose Of
cooking their provisions, judge, then, the tenfold
power and action OF such causes, brought to bear
upon these unfortunate beings, and attending
winter passage. Disease Immediately makes its
OF the living cargo, and hundred voices echo and
re-echo, We've got the ship fever''-"the Asiatc
cholera's on board"
II is a remarkable fact, which empha.ically
speaks trumpet tongued as to the real causes of
these disasters. We find few. in comparison, Of
the cabin passengers of emigrant vessels similarly
affected Enjoying more space, az they do, with
well ventilated safer cabins" and berths, purer
atmosphere, with stern windows and open sky
lights to admit aud to allow free egress Of the
fresh sc breezes, with fires in the cabin in winter.
To such as these, and the large and hume rous gun
port holes, in connection with cleanliness and
proper sanatory discipline, are ships Of war and
government transport vessels, with crews, &c,
from five hundred TO enc thousand men, indebted
Il IS they are taken to en- infected climate Of conta
gious diseases. How IL il, would ask, that our
ships, sailing ard from this continent never
under any circumstances, carry with them into
or even yellow feverl Simply because they are
better fed, well clothed, and possessing ample
space. Being mostly sailors, they have ample ex
ercise and exposure to the pure atmosphere OF the
ocean Wilderness which invigorate their blood and
nervous system; whilst the wealthy passengers,
with all these and the goods the gods provide, was
I ere ever Gaze Of ship disease known amongst
them, Otherwise than the ordinary sea sickness!
difficulties to be obviated or prevented answer
by some o. our numerous philanthropists, who
spend millions for the salvation Of the unknown
heatht taking the matter In hand, aud constructing
emigrant vessels especially adapted to the comfort,
and health cf the unfortunate, but
still brother christians The vessels TO be so con-
structed that free and healy ventilation OF fresh
air can be secured throughout the sleeping and
habitat parts Of the vessels. The passengers 10 be
supplied with a properly cooked and changeable
nourithng diet, by the officers of the vessel The
construction of several port holes, so as to te
readily opened, weather permitting; hammock
nettipgs for the stowSge Of at not OF beddng) bed
clothing IN properly constructed bags gutla percba
gum elastic mattresses. go that they can be washed.
These would also answer, in case of need, as life
preseryers The benhs fixed and constructed OF
iron lattice work, so that free passage OF air
could be transmitted throughout the whole line of
berths facilities for washing and cleansing the
berth deck tunnels and tubes should be supplied,
as IN our first class packet ships, to free
draught Of air between the casing and sheething
of the ships bottom bilge pumps should be sup
Piled both for pumping out the last drop of bilge
water, as well as for pumping in clean water, and
or neutrallzlng agents To purity these
parts These are but few Of the suggestions,
without entering into detail of what might be done
for those unfortunate emlgrants whose only crime
10 meery and poverty. IL 10 not our province to
speculate upon their earthly tnbulatons; but we
cap, with conscious propriety, raise our voice
sRaiptt every worn out ship being brought to this
base purpose al last, with remote hope that we
may thereby awaken or induce the milk Of human
kindness in the breast of the phlanthropisl, to adj
minister ray OF hope, II not of sunshine, where
darkness aud misery have taken up their abode
10 afford one drop OF comfort TO this hold full OF
wfetchedness, yearly overwhelming hundreds and
thousands Of our fellow beings. Perchauce,
thereby, in the place of the periodical fear and the
hue and cry, that the ship fever or Asiac cholera,
has arrived, TO welcome TO our ishores sinewy
limbs, sleek and rosy cheeks, and happy faces,
that would even be acceptable 10 the most ultra OF
native American prejudice.
A G. CASTLE, M. ID.