Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-05
From the Intelligencer.
Eremacausis.
prsrILEscE AND suIsAScEs.


II may be yet question with some Though not
with myself) whether accumulations OF garbage,
ofdi, animal excretions and putrescent or putrid
masses of animal or vegetable matter do generate
disease but 1t Is an established fact that where
disease has been once developed all the above
named conditions of matter tend TO propagate and
exaggerate it and public reproach is the public
truth that public cleanliness too often begins alter
disease has actually commenced or is Immediately
threatening Under the title "Erenacausis," Liebeg
was the first to eucidate the propagation, perpetual
ton and exaggeraton of disease anddecay by rotten
or putrescent conditions of matter irrespective OF
the action of the original source of those condi-
lions. We will not stop now TO consider whether
causes of disease, or ut least decay reside In the
atmosphere in the state Of invisible parasites, but
will cite few illustrative facts familiar TO all Du-
ring the months OF September and October meats
spoil quicker and milk sours quicker than in cor
responding temperatures in other months, with
some exceptions.
IL at any time in warm weather sweet milk Is
put into milk dish or can, thoroughly cleansed, t
will surely and speedily II one decayed fish
| touch another not decayed, or should perchance
get into the barrel it viii be apt to propagate the
faint to the whole mass. If one decayed or spot
ted peach, plum, apple, pear, or almost any fruit
or vegetable touch another not decayed II is sure
10 communicate the rot speedily. II piece Of
i
the rot soon spreads through the sound wood.
There was an original cause for the rot; but, once
begun Il repeats its own condition in the absence
/ of the first exciting cause These are all ilustra-
1 tons of the action called " krcmdcdusis' by
Liebig. similar species Of action is manifested
in some diseases and especially those which
| appear in August and September, and at all seas
ons in hospitals, alms-houses, prisons, and shins
| Tainted meats and food Of any kind in which de-
1 has ~ lOlpeOmp.
they do not directly disease, yet they prepare
| the system for its Development under the action
Of morbiic conditions of the atmosphere, the pal
ates of the Esquimaux, Greenlander, and civilized
/ cpicures to the contrary Notwithstanding. | was
/ much surprised few days since, on entering the
Centre Market, at the strong smell OF putrescent
meat Whether Il arose from meat exposed for
sale. or the halfccansed benches, the waste ur-
der them or the pavement, cannot say but in
either case the principle of Ere'ndcoasis' applies
| here.
A sweet piece Of meat laid upon bench that Is
! not sweet may spoil before you can have time to
cook il. An improperly kept butchery (Washing-
ton is famous for them) viii faint all the meat that
comes from IL more less, and you are never safe
in buying meat from establishment OF this kind,
/ which IL peryaded with an offensive atmosphere.
In some cities butcherics are kept in such order
and cleanliness that you could not recognise them,
| in passing by, by any disagreeable odor but many
Of our butcheries are kept that regard to health
and common decency ought to require them to be at
| least FIVE hundred yards from any habitation or
highway One of the most interchangeable OF this
description within my knowledge is the poudrette
mandatory just north Of the city limits and near
Seventh street II accumulated filth can ever en-
gender disease, we may certainly look for u in this
/ quarter!
/ The atmosphere for at least mile round this
| establishment Il redolent with its noisome, pcsti-
cntial efluvia, notwithstanding its situation in the
midst Of thick and high forest trees. The propri-
etor intended and expected doubtless to be able TO
deodorize and disinfect his materials but the indig
nation Of an outraged neighborhood testihes too
plainly Of his inability to disguise the ncessant and
intolerable reekings of this rcpusive operation
The health and comfort Of the community never
had stronger reason for appeal TO the intcrpos.
ton Of the law IN their behalf than In this case and
at this particular juncture, when disease Is 30 im
minent on our borders, and perhaps nov only
waiting for It's special nidns or pa6ufa'n--yiz: a
polluted atmosphere--to swing its bosom 10 our
very midst. CHARLES IT, FACE.