Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-10-30
Curious Facts.

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There are some curious facts connected win
the progress of the late terrible visitation 10 Nor
folk and Portsmouth, which seems to confirm III"
theory Of DIR. Mott that this fever l. OF travel
ling character and moves from South to North. IL
commenced in Rio Janelro; reached New Ut
leans 10 1859, where its ravages were terrible IN
1854 IL scourged Savannah. IL reached Ports
mouth in 1855 In all previous visitaions OF yell
low fever Norfolk was first attacked and from
thence the disease was transmitted to Ports
mouth But this yenr the disease started III
Portsmouth which lies south of Norfolk, and ITS
whole march from the beginning was Northward.
Its progress through the Whole period was al
wavs greater in n North and North Eastefly Ill
recton. than West and North West. Thus 1t
crossed the water to Norfolk, aud mile distant
from Portsmouth in few days after It's appear
ance in Portsmouth, whilst il did not reach the
H. & Naval Hospital, which lies nearly West oi
North and Northward of Portsmouth, Tor two
months When it did appear there, there were
very few cases, and these generally manageable
Old Point Is in the due North line OF its track,
an 4 il will be remembered at late period OF the
SAMSON there were one or two cases there. 1t Is
some consolation to know, if this theory be true
that Richmond lies nearly due West FROM Nor
folk and that We consequently not III the
track of the pestilence.
A very intelligent gentleman who adopts the
idea that the plague Is caused by ahluaicu,'e,
mentions n statement which he has heard, that
soon after the interment OF corpse III vault
.ndionng church, in England the communion
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 procured was arrested on Il
charge of poisoning. While the subject was IN
agitation, some persons on entering the cburch'
saw by the rays of the sun steamln5 through Il
partly opened window shutter, millions of AMI
maeuln floating about in the light These aii-
maoule seemed to have an affinity tor iiuias,
especially for wine, some of which was placed
in the church. and it was soon filled with AMI
malcul;p, and upon Il test being applied, the wine
was found tc be poisoned. The anlmalcu@
were afterwards proved to have emanated IRON
the above ground vault where the dead body had
been recently buried.
Our informant also refers TO the curious APP
pearanoe of the plague-hy. 1t is fact estao'
Iished beyond contradiction, that after the plague
has eliminated in Portsmouth, this curious lily
appeared. 1t was between the size OF nusqui-
to aud ordinary lily and changed its color from
red to yellow Where did the plague flies come
front They seem to have escaped the obserya-
ton of natural historians. Our friend suggests
that they may be the animacala, generated by
the dead bodies, in certain stage ot their be-
ing.
In this connection u singular fact is stated by
an eminent Judge or ms state, wh'ch seems ~
sustain the theory Of DIR. Mott and of our Ports
mouth friend. tits that the great pest Of the
agriculturist. the Joint Worm, travels from South
to North, always in certain line, and never ex-
ceeding a certain breadth. So uniform are It's
movements that if he only knows when 1t has
reached the North Carolina line. or any given
point whatever South of his residence, he can
estimate with considerable exaotness the tlmo
when it will reach his own plantation,
We are not prepared to advocate any particu-
lar theory on the subject, but the facts stated
seem to US worthy the consideration of men of
science Rich. Dispatch.