Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-03-11
-CARE OF THE HEALTH.
Influence of the Soil on Health.

1nHucHce OK the SO0 on Health.
The influence of the sod upon human
health depends upon the air we inhale
and the water we drink. The moisture
OF the soil modifies the temperature and
moisture of the air. The result of many
observations is, that some diseases may
be justly charged to emanations from
the soil as enteric fever, bilious remittent
fever, dysentery end cholera. Exactly
what the peculiar power is, that induces
certain morbid conditions, we do not
know. Various theories and conjectures
have been advanced. Many observers
suppose that it consists of minute par
ticles Of decaying organic matter. We
feel sure only that it arises from decay,
occurring in the soil, of organic matter,
under the influence of heat and moist
ure. Paroxysmal fevers, intermittent
and remittent, are apparently produced
by emanations from the soil, and called
malarial. They are certainly associated
with effluvia from low, moist grounds
not drained and still they occur on ele-
waited lands, that hold in depressions of
the surface decomposing organic mat
ter.
All malarial diseases are fond of i'll
drained and marshy places. In such
places we find the worst forms of diar-
rhea, dysentery and other disturbances
Of the alimentary canal, as impaired
nutrition, dyspepsia and diseases of the
liver. We often have occasion to
observe, that those who live in malari-
Gus districts present feeble and sallow
aspects. Yellow fever, if not caused by
effiuvia from malarial grounds, is rem
dered worse by them. Malaria fosters
its growth, if it does not generate it.
Bad sewerage, filthy purifying and
waste organic matter have the honor of
its parentage. Cholera may prevail in
malaria districts, but then it also raises
its flag and demands surrender on
board ship at sea and on sandy deserts.
Typhoid may be generated by emana-
tons from decaying vegetable or animal
materials occurring in the late autumnal
months, and after dry and burning
seasons of the year. Warm and rainy
seasons promote the decomposition of
vegetable materials and so ultimately
generate the germs of SO many maladies.
Flowing uplands whose subsoil or sub
surface has not been exposed to the dis
injecting influences of the sun and air
for many years has often been followed
by many and severe cases of typhoid
fever. Cess-pools placed near dwellings
and allowed to exude and throw their
emanations into neighboring homes also
are common causes of this fever. Two
men were seized by this disease last au-
tumn. They slept in the same room,
with open windows, beneath which was
cess-pool. Exposing drains, ponds,
and stagnant pools in hot days to the
decomposing influence of the sun is not
an uncommon cause of this nearly I'M
yielding malady. Water-clCsets in the
center of dwelling and used for the
deposit of fecal excretions of the sick
are sure to enfeeble if not disease the in
mates, unless they are very much better
ventilated than we usually find them.
Having this deposit of filth under our
very noses and lungs is disgrace to
which our rural friends are rarely will
ing to submit Such condition if it
does not at once induce disease does in
duce feebleness and ultimately results
in some fatal malady or impairs the re-
operative power nature gave. Our
rural friends often have about their
dwellings decomposing matter in the
form of pig-styes, privy vaults, cess
pools, sewers, that often produce the
same ill-results as water-closets in the
center of dwellings. Rains wash these
sources of filth down in the wells near
by-as they often are. Some milkmen
enrich their milk by diluting it with such
washings. In some cases we have found
wells under barns. Into such wells
water from dung heaps, pig-styes, and
cow-stalls easily find their way.
Undrained soils produce disease.
Fields effectively drained promote
health and remunerative crops. Water
in the sub-surface soil keeps it cold and
even chills the air. Persons inclined to
consumption, rheumatism, catarrh, ETC.,
should studiously avoid such soils.
Wetness aids the generation of injuri-
GUS carnations, generated by the de-
composition of organic matter. Heat
and air lend helping hand in evolving
organic emanations. Sub-surface water,
as it falls and rises, changes the surface
of the soil and so has an influence in
producing many mala-ial fevers. Drain
ing secures water level nearly uniform
and healthy; while much sub-soil water
in drained fields is liable to sudden
changes and injurious influences.
Recent Investigations clearly show
that soil moisture is one cause of con-
sumption. Deep draining in wet soil is
y hoo1fh orA