Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-12
The PONIINE MARSHES.
Do They 01at1l the subtle Poison
called ROn0n Fever:

A correspondent writing from Rome, under
II is useless to deny that the Roman cli-
mate Is very bad at any time, and in sum-
mer, especially from early in June to the
last OF september, exceedingly dangerous.
Not only strangers are attacked with fever,
but Cid residents, natives not less than
foreigners. No amount of precaution will
shield persons from the malaria, though it
VIII, OF course, reduce the probability OF In
fiction.
The exact source Of this malaria is not pos
itively known, even 10 this day. The gene
RAJ belief is that IL comes from the Pontine
marshes, q low, marsny plain in the south
ern portion OF the Campagna, extending
some twenty-three or twenty four miles
along the Mediterranean, from Cisterna TO
feIIaclna. and embracing about eighty
square miles. The marshes are produced by
The staguation OF the streams flowing down
the Ols!can mountains, and coutiuet by the
fat plain and the accumulated sand on the
STA coast They have probably been formed
slLce The surrounding country; but the ira
cluon, mentioned by PlIny, Jaat on their
site once stood twenty-four cities, is mani
iestly untrue, as no trace OF the cities has
ever been discovered.
Divers attempts have been made In drain
the MARSHES by the ancient Romans and the
POpes, both for the sake OF gaining the land
and of preventing the malaria. Immen Sc
SUMS nave been spent 10 very little purpose
Tie nONioUs marshes being as inimical TO
health and life as they were during the con-
SulshipCf Cornelius Celbegus. Tine matter is
again moDted. Whether ANYTHING will be
aCcCmpiished in this century Is doubtful,
though there IS little question that the work
Will be ultimately done. The amount of
money requiTed for IL Is estimated all the
way fTo IN so 90 coo to 100000 600.
II Is 10y ro means certain ina. the malaria
does proceed from the marshes for il is often
S4Ially Viru!eBt u dry elevations. The ma
lsrla las been a>cTiOed to unwholesome ex-
la.ations OF sulphur and alum ia the soil
Indeed, there are many theories but no absC-
ute know ledge as 10 the sources OF the evil.
III the olteu times the Campagna, now little
else than waste. and positively uninhabit-
able, was cultivated Ike a garden and SUI
ported a large population, living ali the year
round on It's soil. Such, at least, is the ac-
count esteemed to be authentic.
am acquainted with Iadies who have
iIved here for many years, VINO have been
the fever two or three times. and each time
have come within an ace OF dying Even
persons who have ridiculed the IDEA of there
Iied 10 the grave b. II.
Poor Buchanan Read. the poet, who spent
fifteen years here altogether, was one OF the
staunchest defenders OF this city's heal thful-
ness. He was fond OF pronOuncing any man
a fool that had any notion OF the possible
consequences OF the fever. Nevertheless, he
was attacked with IL at last, and returning
in New York.
Some Of the American bankers here are
!ouu IN prOclaimiug the fever here q mere
hobgoblin. They say they find Rome one OF
Tie most sui uoriOus, as well as the pleas ant
t 80 VI PAGES TO reside; that they stay here
NJ, a, e ~ the Gu OF Dece N Der.
&C.,, ~ N ~atnin my knowledge that they do
uesett lAe capital In summer, and when they
aIe Ia Aeu Win IL pretend to have been called
away On very important business.
The resident artists-who VorIf no accli
mated II acclimation were at,sinahIe-nsn
my nIe tnein 70 The north Ia Summer. VIM.
SOL 'hsndoiph Rogers, Harriet Hosmer,
Lono.ia Lewis, and Others, who have this
reputation OF remaining during the whole
out OF the twelve. "a NoA
T. Adolphus Trollope. the U.a-.,o
correspondent, passed thirty years in Italy.
but The end of June invariably dnis nm
In the Tyrol, Switzerland, or some northern
region.