The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-09-12
Atmospheric Conclusion.


At the meeting year ago Of
American scientists in Nashville. a
paper entitled Atmospheric con
eusslon as a means of disinfection.
by Mrs. ii. N. Ingram, OF Edaefeld.
was read. The author, after allud
ing TO recent Investigations having
proved that cholera is transmitted
oy a living germ-a living organism
so small as TO almost evade the eve
OF the microscope-and that the
germs enter into our systems
through our mouths, lungs and
skin, says:
propose a simple, safe and prac-
ticable method Of basfantaneovslv de-
stroying the living cholera germ in
the air and water; and OF thus
checking the disease at its outset.
by destroying its specific cause. /
clam that 1t is strictly philosoph-
ical mode, and judged by the defni-
ton already quoted, a strictly sci
entiic one.
The plan is to kill the germ by
eoneassiOn. 1t needs 40 argument
here TO prove that concussion is a
death agent. There can be no con
troversy over the assertion that
conclusion may kill. IL is merely
necessary TO show that IL may be
applied and used safely as a death
dealing agent 10 all minute animal
life, when the destruction Of that
life becomes desirable. This may
be proved by few simple expert.
ments.
III room swarming with mosqui-
tos be closed and IA small portion of
gunpowder be exploded in the cen
ter Of II, the mosquitoes in the room
are instantly killed by the concus.
sion. If the mosquito large enough
to bekeenly appreciable by three or
five senses, may be so easily de-
stroyed by the concussion that does
not harm windows and fragile fur
niture in closed room, why may
not the more delicate and minute
animals, which may be inhaled with
the breath unconsciously, be de-
stroyed by the same means en-
ployed on a larger scale or in a diff
ferent manner
Sportsmen frequently kill fish by
shooting, but the most expert
marksman very seldom finds where
the ball has struck the fish. Soon
after the discharge fish rise to the
surface, turn their white sides to
view, mortally hurt, but showing no
wound or mark Of the ball. They
are killed by the conclusion.
Now, if SO large a living organ
ism can be killed by the denser me
dium of water with a rifle, is it not
fair TO assume that an invisible or
ganism in the lighter, more movable
medium of the air, may receive
death shock by the employment Of
heavy or sharp concussionsf
The fact, familiar 70 every observ-
ing physician, that the greatest
number Of cases and worst out.
breaks Of cholera occur between the
hours of one and three n. m. may
be taken as evidence that many OF
the germs are killed by the concus-
sions produced by the ordinary
dash and clang and hustle OF larifo
town during the day. The quiet Of
the night offers no check 10 the
propagation and dissemination Of
the infusoria, which, by The after
part of the night, have gained easy
access to the lungs and blood Of
unconscious sleepers, aud before
daylight have begun their rapid and
deadly work.
Another fact which may be quo
ted in proof 10, that the disease ra
ges with greatar violence after the
exodus of inhabitants which gener-
ally succeeds an outbreak OF chole-
ra. In the deserted town where
business is largely suspended, and
the hum Of trade 10 hushed, the air,
undisturbed by the many concus-
sIons Of daily life, becomes an i'm
mense incubator of poisoned ami
malcule.
Many Of our most profound and
advanced thinkers have for some
time held the opinion that yellow.
and various other fevers
belong TO the zymotic classes Of
diseases. The evidence in favor Of
the germ theory, as applying 10 vel
low fever though limited space
forbids its quotation here-is, so
far as 1t goes, equally strong as that
arrayed in regard TO chol-
era. If so, why may IL not be
checked in the same manner by tho
same simple means?
Not only does this subject COM
mand the consideration OF The biol
ogist, but Of the agriculturist as
well. Not only may concussion be
made the agent that shall crush the
pride and power Of the pestilence
that "walketh at noon-dsy," laugh
ing TO scorn the pretensions and
dignity Of the most learned phyd.
clans, but IL offers n simple and
ready mode Of destroying any 9th.
er insect life which Is obnoxious 20
the interests or comforts OF man.