Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-05-25
1aIAs Sa.eBook Of an eminent PHYSICIAN
The Plague of the House.

- fnea Ne So.e.Boo of an Eminent Physician
The Plague of the House.
h9olOgians have been extremely puz-
zled tS determine what the great Jewish
lawgker meant by the terms, leprosy of
the adlse,' and leprosy of the garments. ;
Tha. i was something highly detrimental
not IDLY to the house and the garments,
but q the occupants, may be inferred from
the niunctions given for its destruction.
The house was to be vacated and cleansed !;
the stones affected were to be removed out
of tie city the walls were to be scraped,
etc. And if after the prescribed treat
men4 the leprosy remained, the house was
to be- destroyed. and the stones thrown
into some unclean place without the city.
Garments affected with leprosy required
equal care in their publication.
1t is now very generally believed that
the leprosy of the house and of the gar
mens Us the mildew of damp and poist
places, which the microscope reveals to US
as fungus or plant growth. Two varie-
ties OF leprosy are mentioned in the Levitt
ical account-viz reddish and greenisn.
The former is commonly known as the dry
rot, (merculiss lqchrymanS of the bota-
nists,) and appears where there are moist
ure. warmth, and a stagnant air. 1t is
quite universal in its prevalence. but is
found more frequently in wood and organic
substances, placed under the conditions
above given-as In the hollow places OF
trees, in the framework of ships, and in the
timbers of houses. At first it resembles a
SPIDERS web, spreading, by means of fine
white threads, from common center.
Gradually it becomes consolidated into a
yellowish-white mass, like a cushion, and
may be seen in great numbers in the crew
ices of the wood or wall infected. As the
vegetable grows toward maturity, these
masses become covered with reddish veins,
which emit drops of water, and hence the
name lachrymans (weeping). At maturity
this plant sheds an immense growth oil
seeds, SO minute as to float unperceived 10
the air, but having such vitality that when
tS.-s F-ts s-.o ------ss-f =sil. they imme
a+Atel yitake Soot. fTnns tie ss=a=~a@+z5rea n
wiz amazing rapidity in places adapted
to It's development. The destructive effects
of this plant upon wood are well known to
ship and house carpenters. The tenaeity
of the fibre is destroyed, and the wood falls
in pieces like sand.
SHIPS, once affected, are soon rendered
use ess, and houses fall into irremediable
dllapidation. 1t is only by the complete
reuoval of every germ that the work of
deay can be arrested and for complete
reservation, the sunlight and fresh air are
Indispensable.
The greenish color is doubtless due to
anther fungus, more generally seen than
th' reddish, namely: mildew or common
muld, (penicilun1 glauoun) This plant
hnis a proper soil in every place where
misture. warmth, shade and staguant
ar exist together, and even where but the
tTo conditions, moisture and warmth, CO.
e.ist. The. housewife finds it in the cellar
Won her preserves, in the crevices of
laf of stale bread, fringing a pumpkin
Pc, covering the vinegar, and among her
len which had been packed away when
dmp. The farmer finds it in every shad-
e nook, upon his Sunday boots, on old
hrnesses and saddles, on the damp hay
aid grain, in the granary, on vegetables,
&C. 1t is prolific to most extraordinary
egree it, germs fill the air of our rooms,
Rnetrate our lungs, fill our clothing, and
herever they can find a place for germin-
aion, take root and multiply so rapidly
often to excite the surprise of those
rost familiar with it. Like the reddish,
le greeuish leprosy is destructive of the
ouse and garments. Every article upon
hich it grows will sooner or later under
decay, except where ferment is neces-
airy to its utility.
But these forms of leprosy are not, un-
aortunately, always confined in their inju-
Aious effects to our hous ahold surroundings.
They often attack. when the weather is
4 ropitious, various crops, the wheat, the
rape. the potato, and in few days cause
snmense destruction of property. But
fven TINS Is not the limit of their evil ef-
Rects, for the thrush of children, and many
III our most fatal diseases are traceable to
he growth of this fungi upon our throats,
ithin our stomach, liver and even our
ood.
This leprosy within our house and gar
Bbents has never attracted the attention 1t
Hght. In many dwellings, especially OF
Hue poor, it prevails as a permanent pestl'
Hence, and not only destroys IN time the
tenement, but also its occupant. In ouI
est houses it may be found insidiousIy J
kpreading decay and death where and
when least expected. 1t should become uni,
EersalIy known that dry rot in the wooc
pr brick or stone of our houses, and com
non mould or mildew upon our cloth
ling or food, means tendency to des
Iruction of house and family.
The remedy for this domestic plague.
simple and effective In sunlight and dry
fresh air. these fungi cannot grow to ma
Iturity. The lesson is most importan
\ one to all house-keepers, and especial
1 those having damp, unventilated rooms
How common it is to fud such apartment
occupied as bedrooms, especially for chi
dren. No room in the house should b
left unaired, and, if possible, unsunne
for single day Living and sleepin
rooms should always have southern el
posure, and the sun and air should
freely admitted the live-long day. If Il
plague clings to the woodwork and ga
ments in spite of cleaning, the summal
measures recommended by Moses had b'