Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-12
agricultural Drpari'rrm.
state Board Of Agriculture.

rurnspAy ArrrnNooN CONTINUED.

DIR. l.. s. Wiswall, Of Cabot, was introduced
and announced the subject of his paper as
Sanitary Reform" The Doctor said he
had acted hastily when he consented to read
this paper, and it was because he did not
fully realize the Importance Of the subject.
But when it was known that one-half Of all
children die before the expiration fone year
Of their life, and that was no good reason
why this frightful mortality could not be pre-
vented, as powerful element in it had, until
recently escaped observation, it was neces-
sary that attention should be called to IT,.
History was rcpete withpagues and epidem
les all OF which were the outgrowtbs of
bad sanitary condition. Some of these, like
the cholera and yellow fever are not likely
to appear here but wa have pneumonia,
consumption, diphtheria and cankerrash all
Of which were contagious and all preventible,
and most would be 10th to believe that neg
lect was the cause of these diseases. Some
might have read Of the germ theory OF dis
ease, something in the air which caused
disease-or, commonly speaking, a prevailing
cause. The microscope has shown this 10
he the cause Of many diseases IL reveals
minute organisms, which feed on and de-
stroy animal and vegetable life. Examine
the under side Of barberry bush leaf, and
you will find fine, yellow powder, which,
carried on to neighboring wheat fields, viii
blight and destroy them. These organisms
work on the grape vine-they attack the silk
worm; they fall on the potato, and the crop
fails. Throughout the animal world you
will also fDd the same germs. Their pres
ence is apparent in all diseases. The false
membrane in dphtheria is composed Of these
germs, and causes death You see them in
dysentery and cholera iniantum and in
fact, the cause Of all infectious diseases will
be found in a specific germ, like producing
like, and no disease ever occurs without tax
ing into the system the germ of tina. disease.
The Doctor then proceeded 10 show how
these funsod growths multiplied under
favorable conditions of atmosphere, lie
was certain no one could have good health
while breathing foul air or drinking bad
water, as the air aud water was in many
cases filed with these disease-producing
germs. Foul emanations from cess pools
damp cellars and badly ventilated drains,
were an efficient cause in producing disease,
and he urged more careful attention to all
the sanitary conditions by which every per.
son was surrounded. In conclusion, the
Doctor said he had been urged to speak of
the necessity for sanitary reform in the hab-
its Of dress among women, but he thought
he acted the part Of a wise man in not in
terfering with the ladies.
When the Doctor closed, Prof. Seely asked
him if the germ in typhoid fever could be
detected 10y the physicians. Dr. Wiswall--
1t is not well enough known The germ in
diphtheria is the smallest of any known
growth, and that can hardly be detected
with the microscope. In relapses, the blood
is filed with these germs, but it has been
found that you cannot produce case of ty-
phoid fever Oh an animal by innoculation.
Prof Seely-Are the conditions Of the
disease known, aud its preventitives?
DIR. Wiswall-Yes, the discharges should
be treated with disniectants, and the bed
ding kept clean.
Mr. ID. NJ. Foster, OF Calais--lIow shall
we drain our cellars?
DR.. Wiswall-Drain from the outside But
you all know how to do it. The rule is,
never 10 have a bad smell.
Mr.. A. O. Cummns, Of Montpelier Would
aspiring of pure water in the cellar do harm
DIR. Wiswall-I shoull not want it there,
on account of the water
]. VI. Fisher, of Cabot-Are cisterns in
cellars bad things ?
DIR. Wswall--Shouldha hats to build another
one. (From this we judged the Doctor had
not been practicing as well as he breaches.
--Reporter)
Mr.. Dwinell-Does water running through
lead pipe become poison
DR.. Wiswall-It depends on the character
Of the water Soft water that would corrode
the pipe would be, but hard water contain.
ing carbonate Of lime, would form u coating
over the lead, and not be affected by It,
There are more cases Of typhoid fever from
drinking impure water, than from any other
cause.
Professor Seely said that since coming to
Cabot, at the farm of their townsmen, l.. C..
Fisher, he had seen stock that was well taken
care OF. There was something that we
should take better care Of than our stock
that is, our families and should improve our
houses and their sanitary conditions. lie
wishes the Doctor wouldsay something about
smut or rusts, blights and mildews, which
are transferred from weeds TO grain
DIR. Wiswal-These rusts are fungod
growth, parasites which take the life of the
vegetable and starve it to death.
Mr.. Smith-lf these germs thrive on wa
ter, wouldno little whiskey destroy themY
Dr. Wiswall-It might they will resist
everything but fire,
Prof. Seely-Weeds sap the ground, starvs
the crops, and are unsightly. Destroy the
weeds and you will have less damage to your
crops, for they are the home for a growth Of
vegetable and animal parasites.
Mr.. Stone-Can we detect, without analy-
sis, impure water
DR.. Wiswall-No
At the conclusion of this interesting dis
cussion, Mr.. c. G. Pringe, of Charlotte, read
paper on the Potato Disease" lie gave
an extended and scientific account of the
development and growth of a parasitic fun.
gus, which attacks and destroys the potato
crops throughout the country, the real char
aeter of which has but recently been discov.
cred lie illustrated his paper by diagrams,
showing the character and growth Of it, and
indicated some remedies for its cure and pre-
vention, such as rotation Of crops, not plant
ing land the second year when once infested,
burning the tops Of the vines, not fertilizing
with too abundant and fat manures in moist
soils, and dustings Of sulphur for diseased
vines.
The meeting, al the end of Ar. Pringles
paper took recess till evening.
THURSDAY EVENING.
The meeting was called to order by the
chairman, A. NJ. Foster, of Cabot and Mr.
l.. w. Pitkin, of Marshfeld, opened the
session by reading paper on "Wants and
Needs Of the Farmer"
lie said his purpose was not 10 give instruc.
Il