Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-17
The " Poison Wind"

A Russian nobleman, who has been travel.
ing in Africa, gives the following account of
| the Samieli, Simeon or poison Wind, which is
such an object of interest and terror to all
classes and all nations He says: "The
Samie is felt in the desert from about the
middle of June to the 2lst of September 1t
is experienced with very violent South west
wind, and on those days when the heat of the
sun is most ardent 1t is burning it comes
in gusts more or less scorching, of more less
duration each of them, however even the
shortest, exceeds the time that man could
hold his breath. The wind consists in sue
cessiOn of burning and cool gusts. In the first,
there is double degree OF heat and impetuosi-
ty. The difference between the hot and cold
gusts according to my observation is from
to 10 degrees The highest degree of hot
gusts was 73 degrees of Farenheit, the tenn
perature in the sun, without the Samieli, hav
ing been constantly from SO to 81 degrees
thought could observe that when this wind
blows, a yelOwish tinge, ncnng to be liVid, is
diffused through the atmosphere and that, in
its most violent periods, the sun becomes of a
deep red Its odor is infectious and sulphur
Gus it is thick and heavy, and when its heat
increases, it almost causes sutfocation. 1t oc
casions a pretty cOpiouS perSpiration, partly
excited by the uneasineSS which one feels, and
the difficulty with which one breathes, on ac-
count of its fGtid quality. This perSpiration
appears to be more dense and vicious than the
natural perspration the wind itself deposits
an unctiouS fluid The better to examine its
qualities and its nature, | opened my mouth to
inhale it the palate and throat were instantly
parched. 1t produces the same effect when in
hailed through the noStrls, but more slowly
To preserve ones self from it, and keep the re-
spiration more free, it is usual to wrap up the
face with handkerchief. In passing the tissue
it loses part of its action and ofits destructive
principle and besides, the breath keeps up
degree of humidity, and hinderS the burning air
from suddenly penetrating into the mouth and
lungs. The Arabs therefore, are accustomed,
whatever the heat may be, even in the shade,
to wrap the whole body, not excepting their
head, in their mesedah, (cloak, if they desire
to sleep. This wind causes by the rarefaction
that attends it, pretty strong agitation in the
blood, and this increased movement soon brings
on weakness. 1t in general, produces on man
two effects distinctly characterized. ItstrikeS
him mOrtally with a kind ofasphyxy, or causes
him a great debility. The corpse of person
so suffOcated, has this popularity, that in few
days, or even hours, as some Arabs affirm, the
limbs separate at the joints, with the slightest
effort, so powerful is the action of the poison
on the muscular parts, giving an astonishing
activity to the progress of putrefactiOn. Such
a corpse is reported contagious. | know moth
ing as terrible as this wind felt it almost
continually in the desert, batting some Interrupt
tions, one of which was for three days and three
nights successively. My interpreter, Mr.. RoSsel,
wasstruck byt, but escaped death by al discharge
of blood That which confirms what | have
said of the separation of the limbs, is that hav-
ing been struck by this air, was affected for
some weeks with an extreme weakness and
whenever the least warm wind blew on me,
felt a great fantneSS, and perceived in my joints
a relaxation of the muscles.
The dangers Of this wind is guarded against
by nhalng the fumes of good vinegar, aud
covering the face with the handkerchief
asked the Arabs if lying down on the ground
was preservative against it they assured
me it was not. ! should be inclined myself to
think it prejudicial."