The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-30
The Pontine Marshes.

These historical marshes are situated in the
southern part of the Campa9na di Roma, Italy,
extending from Cisterna in the North TO Terra
Gina in the South, q distance of about thirty
miles, the breadth varying from four to eleven
miles. 1t it traversed by the road from Zone
to Naples. The region is very fertile but very
pestilential. In an article on the subject of
Malaria the Popular Science Monthly for August
says:
The celebrated Pontine Marshes may be re-
garded as the classic home of malaria. Tho
older historical records describe this tract as
occupied with numerous towns by the Volsoi.
It was evidently fertile region; for we read
in Livy that the early Romans sent tbither
during a season of scarcity for supply of corn
Three hundred and twelve years B. C., the Cen
sor AppiuS Claudius CBous constructed the APP
plan Way across the length of the Pontine re-
giou, the soil of which must then have been
sufficiently compact to support the heavy
causeway. AZ some period OF the subsequent
century and a half, the country SCENE TO have
undergone great deterioration either from
natural or civil causes, and to have become
partially Inundated; for, about 40 B. c., we
find the Consul Cornelius Cethegus applying
himseif to drainipg the marshes, and restoring
the land to cultivation and salubrity. The re-
snlt of his efforts was, that new and fourishing
towns arose on the ruins of the ncient Volsciau
cities. The civil wars, however, and the de-
vastation which accompanied them, again
caused the hydraulic works of the Pou tine
M6rBhe6 10 Iall Into neglect, Until they were
repaired by Augustus, who constructed several
new canals, especially a Dsvigable one skirted
by the Appian Way. 1t was on this canal, at
Forum AppiI, that Horace embarked one even
ing, and at the same spot st. Paul frst met his
co1ntrymen from Rome. Nerva and Trajan
both contributed to the drainage of the Pontine
Marshes. and left Inscriptions, still extant,
which testify to their great interest in the pro-
iect. During the convulsions of the folio wing
centuries they were overlooked anew, until in
the reign of Theodosius they were once more
drained, with most beneficial effect, by pm biic-
spirited individual named CBcilius Dscius. We
have no subsequent account OF the condition of
this region until the end of the thirteenth CEN
fury, when Pope Boniface VIII. constructed
some works to drain it. Leo Z employed the
engineer Giovanni Scott to repair and enlarge
the canal of Badino, the principal outlet of the
marches, and Sixtns V. built a large lateral
canal. The most important improvements,
however. were Effected by Plus VI, and sys
tenn of effectual drainage was almost completed,
when the low condition of the papal treasury
and the confusion attendant upon the French
Revolutionary invasion completely arrested
the undertaking, which up to that time had
involved an expense equal to 81, 623 600. No
new works have since been attempted, al
though the authorities endesvor to keep the
canals clear and the bikes in repair. The
greater part of the plain is covered with rich
pastures but, except the post stations along
the highway, and come scattered huts of
herdsmen, it has and can have no permanent
population.