The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-05-20


port are several elaborate accounts of out
breaks of fever distinctly traceable to this
cause. During such an epidemic in St.
Marlebone and the adjoining parts of Lon
don, it was found that there were one hun
bred and ninety seven cases in households
taking milk from particular service to
twenty-four households not so supplied.
1t was further proved that this milk came
from particular farm, and that the water
used for dairy purposes on this farm con-
tanned excremental matters from patient
suffering from enteric fever Immediately
before and at the time of the outbreak. In
other cases the proof is equally conclusive.
Let us pause just here and consider more
particularly how the diseases which we
commonly call epidemic are propagated;
and why it is that single case accidentally
imported into house frequently infects
its residents.
The diseases in question are now gener-
ally denominated by the medical writers
Hypnotic Diseases" from Greek word
meaning yeast. Under this title they in
clude such diseases as smallpo cholera,
epidemic diarrhua and dysentery, diph-
liberia, scarlet fever, measles, and even
ague. They suppose that these diseases
are conveyed into the human body by
means of yeast- like germs, which, having
gained admittance, establish certain fer
mentation there.
~, 1,,,t o1aty, To
have proved that ague is directly due to a
minute fungus generated during the decom-
position of vegetable matter, and, | be-
| leve, Identifies and names the fungus.
1t is stated in the Medical Officers Re-
port of 1874 to the Privy Council page
IL, that DR.. Klein has added much to our
knowledge of typhoid fever "in the dis
covery, namely, of microscopical forms,
apparently of the lowest vegetable life,
multiplying to innumerable swarms in the
intestinal tissues Of the sick, penetrating,
on the one hand, from the mucous surface
into the general system of the patient, and
contributary, on the other hand, with what
ever infective power they represent, to the
| bowe-contents which have presently to
pass from him"
These germs, have said, are yeast like
in their nature. How is it that little
leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Some
of my readers may remember the introduce
ton, thirty years ago, of what was called
| California yeast-a granulated vegetable.
We were wont to prepare bottle of water
sweetened with molasses, and to introduce
a grain or two of this substance. 1t did
not merely affect the fluid, but it propa-
gated itself with great rapidity, and soon
| filled the bottle.
This may illustrate the effect of zymotic
poisons, as, for instance, the germ of ty-
phoid fever. A grain of corrosive subli-
mate introduced into the system is not
altered in quantity, and produces effects
corresponding to one grain. But suppose
that the human body is prepared, by I'M
wholesome living, for that germ, just as we
sweetened the water in the bottle. That
yeast germ, no matter what it's quantity,
fastens at once upon its aliment, and, in
the fermentation that ensues, becomes the
parent of an unlimited progeny. That one
sick man is sort of yeast reservoir for
the neighborhood, imparting the malign
| influence to all who do not bar out the vel
come visitor
Again, these germs, which convey dis
ease, are not all conveyed through the
same channel, or. at least, do not fasten
upon the same organs. Hence arises diff
ference in the precautions to be used in the
| several instances.
Scarlet fever attacks us through the skin.
1t is notorious that the patient is most apt
to communicate the disease during desqua-
mation-when "peeling off," as We coun-
try folks say. Agtate the bed clothes sud
denly and one can see the little cloud of
dust from his body. This dust of the skin
is in the atmosphere, the curtains, the fur
niture, the walls of the room. Hence, all
these should be thoroughly ventlated' and
disinfected before the room is occupied by
| another.
Diphtheria is specially conveyed through
the breathing apparatus. The morbid
growth in the sick mans throat gives off
germs, which pass within another's lips
and set up the fermentation there. We
are warned, when this disease prevails, not
to let chridren kiss those who are conva-
lescing from it; not to inhale the sick per-
sons breath, and especially to set taboo
on plates and cups and spoons used by
the patient, SO that they shall be cleansed
in the hottest water before returned to
common uses.
Now, in the case of the diseases so fatal
in the rural districts of Maryland-typhoid
fever and epidemic diarrhma and dysentery
the germs find their way into the digestice
canal, and do the mischief there.
We have been breathing air laden with
impurities, and drinking water filled with
the products of decomposition. We are
like bottles ready for the grain Of yeast;
and then some sick man comes and gives off
these germs. They find new abode ready
for them, and the general fermentation is
established.
We cannot be too careful in keeping such
germs out of the drinking water; and when
the first case appears utmost pains should
be taken at once to smother all the morbid
matters given off by the sick person, and
to remove them, without delay, far from
the vicinity of the family.
In further illustration of the principles
und,r consideration, | may refer to the
town of St. Michaels. in Talbot county
This town has many advantages. 1t is
neat and well built, the houses and yards
being kept in excellent order. l know of
no place in Maryland which surpasses it in
healthfulness, saving only occasional cpl
denies, to which l shall presently refer.
Its exemption from malarious diseases is
remarkable, ague being unknown except
by importation.
And yet St. Michaels was visited with
cholera in 1882; again in 1854, when it was
very fatal; snd yet again in 1866. More
over, in dry seasons, when the wells are
|