American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-03
Curious Facts Connected vitls
thc Norfolk PcstiIcnce,

Curious Facts Connected witls
thc Norfolk PcstiIcnce.
The Richmond Dispatch says there
are some curious facts connected with
the progress of tho late terrible vista
ton To Norfolk and Portsmouth,, which
seem To confirm the theory of DR.. Mott
that this fever is of a travelling charac-
terand moves from South to North.
1t commenced in Rio Janeiro reach
ed New Orleans in 1853. where its raw
ages were terrible in 1854 it scourged
Savannah. IL reached Portsmouth in
1886. In all previous visitations of
yellow fever, Norfolk was first attack
ed, and from thence tho disease was
transmitted to Portsmouth. But this
year the disease started in Portsmouth,
which lies south ofNo' folk, and it's whole
march from the beginning was north.
ward. Its progress through the whole
period was always greater in North
and North EasterIy, direction, than West
and North West. Thus it crossed the
water to Norfolk, mile distant from
Portsmouth, in few days after its APP
pearance in Portsmouth, whilst it did
not reach the u. s. Naval Hospita
which lies nearly West of Norfolk and
Northwest of Portsmouth, for g m on,hs.
When 1t did appear there, there were
very few cases, and those generally
manageable. Old Point is in the due
North line Its track, and it will be re-
numbered that at a late period of the
season there were one or two cases there.
1t is some consolation to know, if this
theory be true, that Richmond lies near
ly due West from Norfolk, and that we
are consequently not in the track of the
pestilence.
A very intelligent gentleman, who n.
,aoPtts the idea that the plague is caused
oy the anlmalcul@ mentions statement
which he has heard, that soon after the
lnterment ofa corpse in a vault adioin-
ing church in England, the commu-
mon was administered in the church, and
nearly all who partook of the elements
were taken sick and some died. The
wine merchant from whom the wine had
been bought was arrested on charge Of
poisoning. While the subject was in ag-
ltation, some persons on entering tho
church, saw by the rays of the sun
streaming through partly opened win.
dow shutter, millions of animalcula,
floating about in the light. These ami
malcuiae seemed to have an affinity for
fluids, especially for wine, some of
which was placed in the church, and it
was soon filled with animalculae, and up.
on test being applied, the wine was
found to be poisoned. The animalcula
were afterwards proved to have eman-
ated from the above ground vault where
the dead body had been recently buri-
ed.
Our informant also refers to the curl.
Gus appearance of the plague-fiy. It's
a fact established beyond contradic-
lion. that after the plague had culmina-
ted in Portsmouth, this curious fly APP
peared. 1t was between the size of a
mlsquito and ordinary fly, and changed
~ color from red to yellow. Where
The Plagu,flies come fram2 They
I'm tohaye escaped tho observation
Of natural historians. Our friend sug-
costs that they may be the animalcula,
generated by the dead bodies, in cer-
thin stage of their being.
In this connection singular fact is
slated by an eminent Judge of this State
winch seems to sustain the theory of DR..
Mott and our Portsmouth friend. 1t is
that the great pest to the agriculturaIist
tho joint worm, travels from South to
North, always in certain line, and me-
yer exceeding certain breadth. So u
inform are its movements that if he on
" Knows when it has reached the North
Carolina line, or any given point what
ever South of his residence, he can esti-
mate with considerable exactness the
time when it will reach bis own planta-
ton.
We are not prepared to advocate any
particular theory on the subject, but the
facts stated seem to us worthy the con-
sideration of men of science.