The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-25

IN THESE ngures" says Dr. PettenkOler, rs ex-
pressed an undeniable influence Of the season.
This seasonal influence Is connected in all proba-
bllity with climate and temperature, which have a
different eject in different geographical localities
and on different soils. 1t would be erroneous to
merely take into consideration the atmospheric
influences during the prevalence OF an epidemic,
but they must be traced IN an Interrupted series,
and especially must those atmospheric influences
be considered which precede the breaking out Of
the epidemic. Apart from all theories, and looking
at the temperature which has been characteristic
for previous cholera epidemics we find that the
two cholera seasons of Munich-1836 and 1854
came in very dry seasons, especially were the
Summers OF these two years very dry Since, in
the year 1872, Munich had wet Summer. We
can consider this, taken In connection with other
reasons as a favorable omen that our city, though
not with absolute certainty but with the greatest
probability, will be preserved from cholera cpl
demc, even in case that single Of cholera be
1873" DR.. Pettenkofer then goes on to consid-
Grafton of the influence OF the underground water
on general health and In attracting the epidemic.
This portion OF the pamphlet, referring more
especially to Munich, we shall considerably con-
dense.
UNDERGROUND WATER.
In fact, It would be impossible to give the infor-
nation contained In this portion Of the pamphlet
in q shape serv1ceable to American Cities The
main thing which Dr. Pettenk0fer urges is
proper canalizaton, and to prevent the ground be-
coming impregnated with impurities. Munich is
built on porous gravelly layer, twenty to forty
feet thick, resting clayey mari Of several hun
dred feet more. Though the porous gravel has
many advantages, It has, on the contrary, it, dis
advantages. II nlthy impurities are allowed to
substances than it digest the result is that it
is rendered more impure than that Of a grave
yard. DR.. Pettenkofer says:-"The great pores,
the great amount Of atmosphere contained in the
Munich soil, have likewise their disadvantages; for
in the spaces there is not only for pure water
and pure air, but for the impurest and nthiest.
It would be erroneous to CONSIDER the Munich
soil open canal In which everything
is swept away; 1t must unfortunately be looked
upon as filter, which retains that which we would
gladly have removed away from ms. Recent re-
searches in the department OF hygiene have
shown how uninterrupted and rapid Is the inter-
change OF air in the houses with the air under
meath and upon the ground. When decaying or
ganic matter gets into the soil on which the houses
are built the result Is just the same when dead
bodies are placed in the ground" 1t putrenes.
DIR. Pettenkofer then speaks OF the Improvement
III Tue rates OF InOrJaHty III tnOse Clbles Wnere 2
proper system OF canalizaton has been intro
duccd. During the cholera epidemic in Munich in
1854 some very important facts we're gained in
relation to the susceptibility OF various groups Of
houses to the disease ana the perfect immunity Of
others. In the immediate neighborhood OF the
city there was one district never touched BY
cholera. This was the right bank of the Isar on
the clayey loan soil extending from Ramersd0rf
~ far as Ismaning where the many brickkilns are
situated which provide the city with building ma
terial. On this interesting point DR.. Pettenkofer
says:-
SUSCEPTIBILITY AND IMMUNITY OF VARIOUS SOILS.
THAT clayey loan soil, which rests on limestone
rubbe, in which the underground water never
reaches the clay loan, IL unsusceptible has
been likewise observed elsewhere, and also In
Munich during the epidemics Of 1886 and 1854.
When In Haidhausen and in Berg-on-the Lam, the
epidemic spread OF the cholera was restricted TO
the houses built on gravel soil, while those built
on the clay loan sward, lying higher, were re-
markably preserved" In times Of pestilence DR..
Pettenkofer says that the inhabitants should at
once leave these fatal districts and be provided
with shelter on healthy soil for few weeks, until
the cholera virus has expended its force Since,
ne continues, experience has proved that In all
.epidemcs the attacks continue IN the single houses