The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-11-09
MALARIAL FEyERs.

MALARIAL FEvERs.
The unusual and extensive prevalence of
malarial, typhoid, and typho-malarial
feyers this season, not only in their custom
airy haunts, but in places which have hither-
to been considered as exempt, has given
more than ordinary attention to those dis
eases. In Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia,
Missouri, and even Illinois, on the river
banks and the higher lands, these
fevers have held sway, though as
rule the mortality from them has not
rated high. What produces them is not
definitely settled upon, though it is gener-
ally conceded that where there is a concur
renee of decaying vegetable matter, along
with moisture, at a certain elevation of
temperature it is apt to find its evolution.
During the late war it was observed that
wherever ground was disturbed for the
throwing up of enbankments, ramparts,
etc, chills and fever almost invariably fol-
lowed, and these were frequently
succeeded by well defined types
of nalarial troubles. Hence, in
the rice-helds of Louisiana and
South Carolina, which have to be regularly
flooded, we find these ills prevailing. At
Frankfort, Kentucky, and in Memphis,
Tennessee, the causes of their preya-
lence are ascribed to the excessive
drouth of the past summer, the river
and creek waters falling unusually low
leave exposed putretying and vegetable
matter on and near the banks.
The miasma arising settles on
the higher grounds it is eontended, and op-
crates as fully as on the lower. AS with the
experience with dirt excavations during the
war, so with the process of clearing a new
country of its woods, where the
lower and damper soil is exposed to
the full action of the sun
these fevers are prevalent. So, too, it would
seem that where at certain seasons, and
under the influence of certain atmospheric
conditions, the streets of city are stirred
up or filled up with freshly dug earth, the
same fevers should obtain. In our climate
their nature seems to be similar to that in
the tropics, so far as their being generated is
concerned, that is, prevailing chiefly at the
commencement or at the closing OF II
rainy season. So, too it appears to be
stronger when near the surface
of the EARTH weakening as we
ascend. Hence, it is urged that
dwelling in second-story is better than
sleeping on the ground floor in the third
story still better as against the influence.
This is no evidence whatever that this
fever is ever contagious, nor that the malari-
Gus poison producing it is portable. Per-
sons of all ages are liable to be affected by
it, nor is the fact ofhaving once had it any
protection against its re-occurrence. I'm
like yellow fever, it gives timely warning of
its approach and siege commencement
upon the human CITADEL but like it, it
leaves the patient wocfully exhausted
and u long while convalescing.
Bronze Johns attack is abrupt,
poison is Of gradual evolution, and
sounds the note Of warning by loss of APP
petite, disrelish of food, distinct bilious
indications for days in advance, and gem
eral listlessness and apathy. This poison
is not cognizable by the senses, nor can it
be detected by chemical tests; it is known
only by its effects. These are some of the
leading features of these malarial troubles
that have been dominating the regions
most suited to their existence, and that
have sought to intrudc them
selves into sections that never knew
them before. Though not fatal as a rule,
when under the vigilant eye of the careful
nurse, instructed by the skilled physician,
yet they are facilitating in the extreme,
and are often alarming in their symptoms,
and sometime leave permanent ill-eilects.
1t is to be hoped that since public attention
has thus in the various portions of this
country been directed to them, some cura-
tive remedy will be discovered by those of
the medical profession under whose
so many cases come. As
it is now, ii is only left for the
captured patient to pit his vitality
against the vigor of the foe, for the physi-
clan TO watch his opportunities and take
snap Judgment upon the retiring enemy to
prevent its return with the olden force. All
this may not be consolatory to the afflicted
one nor very creditablc to the progress of
the cause of medicine, yet it is only like
limit to the abilities and facilities of all
other departments of poor, weak, though
ambitious and captious humanity,