The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-10-23
Malaria and Malarial Diseases.

a correspondent VI lHe oiecn'ihe HePuo-
ican discusses this important subject IN the fol-
lowing intelligent and interesting article, which
will prove instructive to our readers, and is
commended to their attention:
Mr. Editor The widespread prevalence of
malarial fevers-viz: bilious and intermittent
fevers-throughout our up-country this season,
induces me to write an article for publication
in your paper, on the origin, propagation,
effects and prevention of these diseases, which
though so amenable generally to proper medi-
cation, leave such an impress upon the ccnsti-
tuition that other diseases of serious organic
character follow, destroying all vigor Of health,
and ultimately producing death. Ours is
naturally region of country unsurpassed for
purity of atmosphere and general healthful.
ness of climate, and but for the abandoned
cultivation Of much of the bottom alluval
lands, would be comparatively free from inva-
sion of malarial fevcrs. Where such lands are
once cleared, improperly drained, and after
wards abandoned for cultivation, even upon
small streams, they become prolific sources Of
malaria and that such is the case in all por-
tions of our country, there is no doubt. Since
cotton has become the chief production of the
farmer, even within a few miles of the Blue
Ridge, his lands adapted to the production of
the cereals are neglected, bitches fill up, vege-
Nothing will contribute more to the rapid,
material development of our country than
maintenance of its boasted solubrity; but un-
less change of policy as to agricultural pro-
ducts takes place, and more of the swampy
lands are brought back into cultivation, We
may expect these fevers to become forced upon
us-assuming some seasons, with favorable
combinations as to their causation, malignant
forms.
Malaria is the term generally employed to-
designate q certain eff1uvium or emanation
from marshy ground, and is formed from the
coalescence of the two words mala and aria,
which taken together means bad air-the
chemical and physical properties of which are
unknown to us, various experiments having
been made to discover its constituent ele-
ments and its presence in atmospheric air, but
with very unsatisfactory results. A French
chemist, upon an analysis of air collected
above marshes, found it as pure as that at the
summit of surrounding. hills, but upon disen-
gaging carburetted hydrogen gas, found that it
peculiar and putrescible matter; and that dew
Collected also in the vicinity of these marshes,
contained matter capable Of fermentation
and consequent decomposition It is, however,
manifest, that while we possess no definite
knowledge as to what really constitutes this
poison, we are sufficiently familiar with its
effects as to warrant the belief that it always
arises from the decomposition of vegetable
matter, and not from animal excrementitious
matter, though unjoined to the latter, we eau
we'll imagine complications of diseases to fot-
low.
For the production of malaria, sufficient to
bring on epidemics of fever, there seems to be
a certain condition of atmosphere and soil;
with presence of vegetable matter necessary
such as the dry heat of the autumn, when
there is usually but little moisture in the soil
as experience and observation has satisfactory
demonstrated that, it is more the paucity Of
water upon lands hitherto flooded than an ex-
cess, with above conditions that generates this
malarial poison SO freely that that peculiar de-
composition of vegetation which produces this
poison only requires small proportion OF
water in small confined pools. Where locality
has been flooded, it is at the subsidence of the
freshet that sickness prevails. Hence, where s
stream is not perfectly drained, it is better to-
keep up regular system of flooding the sur
rounding fiat lands than to allow them to be oc-
casionally flooded, by not being properly ditch
ed and then, on the subsidence of the high
water to the small obstructed ditch, leave little
pools all along its course to become centres Of
malaria. Where the surface of swamp Is
kept continually wet by running water, no
matter how much vegetable matter may be-
present, it is usually comparatively innocuous
in any climate, and quite so in this temperate
latitude of ours.
AS to the distance malaria will produce its
effects from the localities where formed, the
medical profession possess a good deal of irreg=
ular knowledge-consisting more OF detached
facts, presenting various unexplained anomalies
than of groups of corresponding facts, from
which the medical reasoner can deduce fixed
determinate causes. AS might be supposed,
the effects of malaria are, in general, more in.
tense in proportion to proximity to it's source.
This is owing to the probably more condensed
state in which it exists near to the spot where
produced; and it is observed that circum-
stances that favor condensation OF atmosphere
add to its intensity, and that it is always more
pernicous from exposure at night, than during
the day. But while it has generally been more
intense in its effects neag to where produced,
instances have often occurred where places
situated off from two to four miles have been
effected with fevers of equal if not Increased
severity; but this is more exceptional than
general, and in general the family living from
three to four miles off from malarial centre,
with intervening woodlands; would be free
from fevers or, perhaps, within half this dis
tance, where the house was surrounded Win
luxuriant, fragrant flowers and shrubbery, the
same exemption might follow.
AS to the prevention of this formation of
malaria, it is unnecessary to dilate at length.
More complete drainage, and increased culti-
yation of our bottom lands will efectually pre-
vent its annual visitation and to bring about
this desired change; nothing but the strong
arm of legislation will avail. Increased penal
ties for obstruction of streams, however small,
must be passed; and, if practicable, some
general law as 10 drainage.
THE BRAvEsT OF THE BRAvE.-Gorernor
Letcher the other day related very interesting
incident of the war while in General Kemper's
room at the hotel He said that in one of the
battles below Richmond, four flag bearers had
been shot down, and call was made for
volunteer to carry the colors. A STRIPPING
took the torn standard. In few minutes the
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