The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-01-01
The +" Poison Wind.O
A Russian nobleman who has been ira,
Cling in Africa, gives the following accom-

"A russian nooleman who has teen tray
elling in Africa, gives the following account
Of the Samieli, Simeon, or poison Wind,
which is such an object Of interest and ter.
ror to all clesses and all nations He says
The Samieli is felt in the Desert from
about the middle Of June 10 the 21st of Sep
tsmber. It is experienced with very vio.
lent southwest wind, and on those days
when the heat of the sun is most ardent. 1t
is burning; it comes in gusts Of more or
less duration; each of them, however, even
the shortest, exceeds the time that a man
could hold his breath. This wind con sists
in succession of burning and cool gusts
In the first there is frequently double de-.
gree of heat and smpetuosity. The differ
ence between the hot and cold gusts, accor-
ding to my observation, is from Z to 10 de-.
grees. The highest degree of the hot gusts
WAS 13 degrees Of Farenheit the tempera.
ture in the sun, without the Samisli, having
been constantly from SO to 81 degrees. l
thonght | could observe that when this
wind blows, yellowish tinge, inciining to
livid, is diffused through the atmosphere
and that in it's most vibisnt periods the sun
becomes of deep red. Its odor is infect
ious and sulphuaious; it is thick and heavy
and when its heat increases it almost causes
suffocation. 1t occasions a pretty copious
psrspration, partly excited by the uneasiness
which one feels, and the difficulty with
which one breathes, on account Of its fetid
quality. This perspiratlon appears to te
more dense and viscious than the natera,
perspiration; the wind itself deposits an
unctious fluid. The better to examine its
qualities and its nature, | opened my mouth
to inhale it; the palate aud throat were in
III
feet when inhaled through the nostrils, but
more slowly. To preserve ones self from
1t, and keep the perspiration mere free, it is
usual to wrap up the face with a haadker-
CHIEF. In passing the tissue it looses part
of its action and its destructive principle,
and besides, .he breath keeps up = degree
of humidity, and binders the burning air
from suddenly penetrating the mouth and
lungs.
The Arabs, therefore, are accustomed,
whatever the heat NAV be, even in the shade,
to wrap the whole body, not excepting the
head, in their mesehiah, Cloak il they de-
sire to sleep. This wind causes by the rare
faction that attends it, pretty strong agi,a-
tin in the blood and this increased move
ment soon brings on weakness. II in gene
raj produces on man two effects distinctly
characterized. 1t strikes him mortally with
a kind Of asphy,y, or causes him reat de-
bility.
The corpse of a person so sdfocoted has
this popularity, that in few days. or even
hours, as some Arabs affirm, the limbs sep
ara,e at the joints with tho slightest effort,
SO powerful in the action Of the poison on
the muscular parts, giving an astonishing
activity to the progress Of putrefaction.-
Such corpse is reported contagious.
know nothing so terrible as this wind: |
felt it almost constantly in the Desert, ba-
ting some interruption, one of which was
for three days and rec mig IS successfully
Ny interpreter, Mr.. Rossel, was struck by
it, but escaped death by discharge Of
blood That which confirms what have
said Of the separation of the limbs, is, tina,
having been struck by this air, | was affect
ed for some weeks with an extreme weak.
ness; and whenever the least warm wind
blew on me, felt a great fein,ness, and
perceived 10 my joints relaxation of TIE
muscles
The dangers OF this wind was guarded
against by inhains the fumes of good vine
gar, and covering the face with the hand
kerchief. | asked the Arabs If lying down
on the ground was a preservation against it;
they assured me it was not | should be
inclined myself to think it prejudicial