The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1866-04-26
The Approach OF Cholera.

The Approach OF Cholera.
There seems to be authentic reports
showing the advance of the cholera in Cen.
trail Europe. 1t has broken out in Ger
many with considerable violence. 1t has
wintercd in Italy-a few cases constantly
appearing in some the towns We learn,
by recent mail, that it has prevailed on
the French coast, thou, n no reports were
allowed to spread abroad of its rayages,
and nov it has again departed or disap-
peared. The mild winter of the past sea-
son favored its continuance on the Cont
nent, and the early heats of spring and
summer are expected to dcvelopit through.
out Europe. There is not, however. at all,
the dread of this pestilcncc in Europe,
which once prevailed. Many medical au>
thorities speak Of it as one of the most
easily managed of the great diseases Of
mankind. Opinions differ greatly as to
the advantage of strict quarantine regula>
tions; but there is difference of opinion
as to the immense importance of ordinary
and even unusual sanitary precautions
England is setting her house in order be-
|
cleanliness Cities are being drained; cess
pools connected with sewers; ventilation
improved; stagnant pools empticd; heaps of
Offal and refuse removed, and lanes and
streets cleaned, so that summer NAV find
the people all prepared for the invader
During the winter cholera has prevailed
in some portions ofthe West Indies though
apparently not to any alarming extent
SO little is known of the source of this dis
ease-whether it be animal or vegetableiD
its naturc-that it is impossible to say
whether it will cross the Atlantic during
the present summer. Judging from all
past analogy, We car say, with reasonable
confidence, that if it break forth this sum
mcr in Europe again, it will, in all proba-
bility, appear here also within few weeks.
Whether cholera be contagious or not. it
is certainly portable, and most probably
the infection is often conveyed by excreta,
so that in some of the numerous ships ar
irving here or in Canada from Europe and
the West IDdics, the invisible poison may
be conveyed. Even if it do not come
through human agency, the unseen animal
culc or fungi may be borne on the winds
or waters finally to this coast. The great
peculiarly of the disease is. that its seeds.
though they fill the air, seldom ripen cx>
cept under favorable conditions which are
well known-such as bad drainage, over
crowding, defective ycntilaion, and gener-
al filth and neglect, with warm and moist
air. The human system also may be laid
open to the malady by excess in eating
and drinking. and by carclcssncss of the
premonitory symptom-pa:nlcss diarrhea.
There is no human malady against which
more sure and safe defenccs can be erect
ed. Cleanliness of person and surround.
ings. purity of air and moderate diet are.
almost certain preyentiycs. The rich. too,
to great degree, can escape it by fesins
10 the mountains, as height seems TO act
powerfully to check its ravages Certain
towns in Great Britain kept the tnemy en-
tirely away by their sanitary precautions.
In ls49 the model lodging houses had not
a fatal case; the inspected common lodging
houses but four eases; the upper classes
suffered comparatively little. 1t is pecul>
iarly disease of the poor, the filthy, ncg>
lccted, and vicious. There is no occa>
sion Gf it should appear hcrc) for any
alarm or panic The true policy Is now
for every citizen to prepare his own house
and surroundings for the pcstilcRce-
If there be nuisances near his premises,
if his drainage be defective, if pipes are
out OF order, and cess pools afflict the neigh
borhood, if the streets arc dirty, or dirty
animals aye kept near the house, (hog
pens being an especial incentive of the dis
ease, let him without waiting for the slow
action of the authorities, remove all this
manure of the pcstience, where Its seeds
are deposited and grow at once with v'gor
Each individual can be sanitary inspect
or, and form a board of health for his own
premises. The sanitary reform must be-
gin at home.
Till the matter is investigated, no one
can understand. how indifferen, and careless
people are to the sanitary welfare of their
own households Physicians can relate
how many terrible case of diPtheria,
scarlatina, spotted fever, diarrhea, inter-
mittent and typhus, can be traced to open
and reckless violations of sanitary provis-
ions in houses, which seem the abodcs of
wealth and luxury
AS the warm Sprlng opens, 'hcse maj
ters ought to be more looked into, and
all nuisances vigorously attacked. Chloride
of lime should be more frequently used
than it is at presently. y. Times.
s.--.s
The Washington correspondent of the
New York World says:
The House Judiciary Committee are still
engaged in duplicating jeff. Davis in the
assassination plot. The point which tho
committee are driving at is to make out
case which will warrant them in recon-
mcnding Davis to be tried by military
commission. They expect to be able to do
this There is evidence from unheard of
persons, alleged also to be in the plot at
one time, which the frionds of mi airy com.
mission claim involves Davis in the aseina>
ticn plot"