The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-05-10
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1879

stories of houses that were freely ventilated
If the ceiling of an upper room wa, 10
and the circulation of the air not properl
provided for, the temperature might b
higher and impurities greater than in room
nearer the ground. have never seen an
statistics showing the difference in temper
ature, exemption from noxious gasses an
tendency to convalescence in upper room
as compared with those nearer the ground
1t seems to me very interesting to know
whether it is practicable to remove patient
to the second and third stories of building
and thereby get above the impurities whic
cause yellow fever to propagate. Person
have been successfully treated for small
pox without medicine in the upper storie
of buildings that wore thoroughly ventil
ated, while the patient was properly screen
ed from the light and from strong drafts
Mumps and measles and some other cpl
denies will run a certain course, and there
is generally danger in trying to shorter
this course by giving too much medicine
It is important however to avoid all impuri
purities of air, excess of heat or cDld al
we'll as intemperance in eating and drink
ing.
In some of the books instances are given
where all the children sleeping in the sec
ond story escaped measles, when epidemic
among those sleeping on the lower floor.
There is no doubt that many noxious gas
ses would be SO diluted in we'll ventilated
apartments on the second or third floor, as
to be entirely innocent Certainly patient
on bed few feet from the floor in such
apartments, would be entirely free from
carbonic acid gas-that gas being heavier
than air. Our patient having been elevated
above some things injurious, is he
| above the termination of yellow fever
spores, and can the ventilation be so regu
lated as to keep the temperature below the
point at which yellow fever propagates? Is
he as well above malaria as above we'll
known hurtful gasses, and can the temper
ature be so regulated that his friends are in
no danger from infection2
These are questions 1 have never seen
discussed. frequently objections are made
to cellars and low damp rooms as aiding in
in the spread of epidemics Cholera -four
ished in such places in New York City for
two years, while high, dry, well ventilated
houses were exempt. How far conyales>
cence is insured by seeking the rooms that
are more elevated, have no means of stat
ing. If can succeed in calling the atten-
ton of the faculty to this subject some
useful statistics may be published that
might enable emany patients to escapeth' hor-
rors experienced in the last epidemic. Of
course the third and fourth stories OF houses
may be 50 badly ventilated as to have foul
er air than the lower story of some other
house.
Swelled necks and idoiocy occur in the
Alps, perhaps because the natives live in
valleys and cellars excluded from the 5reezes
and as unhealthy as the lower story of
New York cellar. am, however inclined
to believe that when we get above the region
of carbonic acid gas, and where the dan
gerous gases are diluted by frequent cur
rents of pure air, we are above the ge:mina-
ton of fever seeds, whatever scientific name
we may give them, By proper attention to
screens and ventilation, the patient may be
surrounded by an atmosphere pure and in
and of temperature below the
fever point, The best extempore screen is
an umbrella Raise the windows, spread
the umbrella and run the handle under the
bolster, and your patient may have fresh air
and 10 more light than is agreeable to his
eyes. These may seem trifies, but to man
with fever, they arc moro valuable than
nauseous drugs and alcoholic stimulants.
The treatment then is to avoid all causes of
disease and give nature a chance to exercise
her healing powers. Were to advise an
person during an epidemic,
would suggest
!. A clear conscience.
2. Avoid excess of every kind, particu-
arly in eating and drinking. A sudden
,hange of habit is dangerous-if any change
s admissible it is toward vegeteble diet
md the avoidance of alcoholic beverages.
3. Sleep on a beadstead at least two feet
rom the floor, and as high from the ground
IS you can find comfortable room, good
eiling overhead, plenty of air and sun
hine, AMI means of escape in case of fire.
1. Keep good company, so that you can
AVE friend to nurse you when you are !
irst taken sick-one that will not get drunk 1
nd be asleep in the cool of the morning,
ghen you need the closest watching. !
3. Don't worry about medicine, but if c
onvenient, have mild purgative for the ..
rst thing then sage, orange leaves, lemons /
r something for plenty of drink, and about a
he third day quinine, porter or whatever !
lse an experienced friend or physician may 4
3
There seems little use in quarreling over :
ifFerent names and causes of specific types
f fever. Certain means of promoting
ealth and modifying the attacks of disease
an be understood and appreciated by the 7
Among these is elevation, or h
citing above the noxious gasses that ac- b
yellow fever germs If we can b
l.
nd any accessible place where these germs u
ave no aliment and cannot germinate and :.
we ought to deem it worth seek a
lR, BoSARIA. s