The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-09-29

SINGULAR AND HORRIBLE DISEASE.
From the New Haven Comm Journal.
Some months ago Mr. Charles Monroe, of Fair
haven, WIS at Lagos and at Accia, on the Guinea
coast, whittier he had sailed as mate with Capt
Post, in the bark Elizabeth, and while there he
drank Of the water of that part of the world wit h.
out thinking to take the precautions commonly
in use among the natives for the prevention of
terrible disease known the Guinea worm. 1t
appears that the Africans always boil this water
before drinking, in order to destroy the minute,
invisible egg OF the worm, which is SO small that
it is absorbed by the blood vessels from the stom
ach, and is in that manner distributed in various
parts of the body, usually the legs, where it is
hatched, and after long time makes its appear
ance in the shape Of white thread-like worm,
pointed both ends, and it twines and twists all
about the MUSCLE and veins and arteries, but pro-
duces particular feeling Of uneasiness until some
part of its body comes near the skin, when bad in
Examinations takes place.
It was in March last that Mr. Monroe began to
be troubled with them, and for three months he
has not walked step. lie is now at the Connec-
tieut State Hospital, under treatment, and one
wcrm has been taken from the bottom of his foot,
that measured over two feet in length. The way
it is done is this: When the surface of the skin
is so pricked or irritated as tdshow whore the
"critter" is, thread is fastened to him and
small weight attached to the other end of the
thread. The gets tired of pulling so steady
sran and gives ground atrife day by day, and
as he comes out little spool winds him UP until
HI is all up. The pain is very great. For forty
nights, Mr. Monroe hardly slept on account of the
suffering.
One worm is now in process Of being drawn
from his heel, and those medical men who have
never seen case Of the kind are much interested.
Great care has to be taken not to pull too hard,
because the worm would break, and the trouble be
much prolonged. Its medical name is dracuna-
culus, aud it grows TO be several feet III length.
1t is epidemic in hot countries. When the bother
commences, it appears under the skin like veri-
cese vein, and after painful boil has been formed,
and the skin broken, the head of the animal is
discovered. Mr. Monroe is very patient under this
strange af1iction ana we hope before long to see
him restored to health.
The reader may believe as much Of the above
as he.pleases. 1t comes from yankee paper.
THE NAVIGATION OF THE MIssIsslPpI.-The
Memphis (Yankee) Bulletin gives good picture
of how safe the navigation OF the Mississippi is
The following shows that the "father OF waters" is
not yet open:
Il: our last issue we mentioned that the steamer
Emerald, while on her last trip between this city
and Vicksburg, had been fred into by guerllas at
Gaines Landing. We have this morning to re-
cord two other attacks on other, boats. One day
last week the elegant Planet left this port
for Vicksburg. We yesterday received intelli-
gence that at some point below Napoleon, she re-
ceived pollcy of musketry from guerillas or
bushwhackers concealed on the Arkansas shore.
Without stopping to ascertain the extent of the
damage, extra steam was brought In requisltion,
and the boat was soon beyond the range of the
fire. Subsequent. examination revealed. that,
although none of the passengers or crew in
iured, five horses On the lower deck had been
killed by the voley. II will be remembered that
the splendid packet Atlantic left this port for New
Orleans. We learn That while passing Morgan's
Bend, below Vicksburg, she, was fired into from
the Louisiana shore Eighteen balls penetrated
her works, causing much excitement among her
passengers, and ,wounding one Of them, lady.
he guerillas were reported to be 20 in number.
Fit will be seen by late news that four yankee
steamers have been destroyed on the Mississippi
LIBERALITY.-Gen. Jos. r. Anderson, of the
Tredegar W orks, Richmond, lately sent his entire
crop of wheat, 1909 bushels, to mill il that city,
to be ground and the -four sold at about half the
price current at the time-a little more than a
third of the present price here.
= MIR c. b. Rouss, a refugee from Winchester
Va. now residing in Richmond, recently bought
carried to Richmond. He offered profit of
600 on the purchase, but refused it, and. re-
tailed the whole to the INDECENT of that city at COST
Is cents per yard. He had performed like act
of liberslity in Winchester in the article of salt