The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-04-13
ON THE ORIGIN OF. MALARIA.

Some interesting experiments have recently
been instituted by NM. Saw and Passerlnl, OF
Pisa Italy, on the noxious qualities of some plants
supposed to be source OF malaria. The results OF
these we shall here briefly state. $. .-r-.1. H.a
The chora, a genus of plants which grows very
plentifully in the marshes, exhales, especially du
ring summer cfetid smell, similar to that of the
marshes themselves This has led some to suspect
that these plants, during their growth, decay, and
decompostion might be the cause of the malaria.
To clear UP this doubt, NM. Saw and Passerinl
undertook series of observations on, and annaiy-
sis of, the more common species, the chara uutga-
rts and the chara ttert6shs. -
They found these plants covered with exter
nal crust of carbonate of lime, the quantity of
which, always considerable, diminishes successive
ly and gradually during the four months of May,
June, July and August which are precisely those
in which the influence of the malaria Is most
strongly felt. Among the other elements OF the
charo they detected also fat voltile substance,
hitherto unnotced, which containing azote, has an
analogy with animal substances and produces the
fetid smell which gave rise to these researches
They named this substance puterine, from the vul-
gar name of putera, which the Italians gave to
the plant
After examining the chara in its living and per-
feet state, they submitted it to putrefaction by
steepng it in water. Decomposition began to
show itself fvery Arctic acid was formed,
united with carbonate of lime, and disengaged the
carbonate acid which, rising into the atmosphere,
produced scum over the surface of the water
The smell of the plant began to exhale at the same
time so powerful to cause serious accidents and
violent headache to the persons exposed to it, even
at great distance. By degrees the plant assumed
dark color, became soft and soapy, and was final
" reduced to a blacksh mixture, formed of frag
mcnts of woody fbres and of very thin coal, unctu
Gus to the touch, and with an intolerabe stencil.
In the last stage of putrefaction, the water in
which the plant had been stepped became stink
ing, blackish, and mucilaginous on its surface
was formed dark pellicle, sprinkled with yellow
ish stains rejecting in some points the color of the
rainbow, and emitting dsagreeabe odor; when
exposed to the action of fire it yielded azotic pro-
ductions. The same experiments, carried on with
covered vessels, under the action of solar heat,
gave the same results. Repeated upon the chord
of brackish waters, the saline principle of which is
SO powerful as to destroy all other plants, the OBJ
servations presented the phenomena, but
with greater degree Of intensity. .... ..
NM Saw and Passcrini think themselves enti-
tied to conclude, from these repeated experiments
that the puterinc, feted principle of the genus
clara if not the only and general cause of the ma
ara, is, at least, of the most powerful causes
Of its production in Italy This mischievous prin-
ciple, the order Of which is the with that OF
marshy exhalations, extends its influence with still
| greater effect whenever the elimination evapor
alton of the waters leaves the plants uncovered
and by its volatility it escapes, and is kept suspen
ded in the atmosp phere. .. .......