New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-02-09

and her ambition great. So
great, in fact, that some years after
ward she married young Lathrop and
his ships and other possessions, and
more than one of her descendants have
been in high places since.-M Y. San.
Periodic or Malarial Fevers.
During the past year no disease has
attracted SO general attention as that
described under the popular name of
Sc Malaria. 1t has almost become the
common epithet by which the laity
designated strange motley of all
ments. Even the doctors have bowed
to the acceptance of the name and allow
1t to pass as term far more general
than it's original intent. It was meant
closely to describe a class of fevers
which were believed to be dependent
on vegetable decomposition in marshy
places, the activity of which depends
much upon climatic and seasonal condi-
tons. 1t is far safer to speak of fevers
as intermittent or remittent, or, if
neuralgia occurs, to call it intermittent
neuralgia, if it is such, rather than
loosely group all ailments under the
term malarial. We have seen thus
diagnosticated dyspepsia, overwork,
disease of the gall-bladder, and con-
sumption. Yet, admitting all this, we
must also say that fevers of a periodic
type, such as are believed to be due to
vegetable decompositions, have been
very prevalent in most of the Middle
States the last year. The Connecticut
Valley has suffered much; Providence,
Il. l., admits the stranger as resident;
and the Massachusetts Board of Health
has instituted an inquiry into the causes
in that State. 1t is not now difficult to
make a pretty thorough study of local.
ties, with view of determining causes.
Our knowledge of geology, Of water
levels and watershed, of contour of
surfaces, of the phenomena of forced
vegetable or animal decomposition,
OF the effects of moderate mois-
ture and excessive heat has increased
OF late years, SO that We can pursue the
study with some good starting points.
Then the observations and records of
physicians have become more accurate,
SO that the uniform experience of prac-
titioners is worth far more as evidence
than it once was. We have had occa-
sion the last year to examine reports,
and to visit various localities where the
disease has manifested itself and to
practice in it's midst, so as to have
various types under observation. Not
only have there been the usual periodic
forms, but neuralgia and commissions
during the chill or febrile attack have
not been rare. This denotes an in
tensity or a quantity of poison more
than usual, and leads to a closer scruti-
ny into causes. Testimony more and
more confirms the relation of interrupt
ed water-courses, of imperfect drain
age, and of abnormal vegetable decay
to the morbid material or contagion.
We say abnormal decay because it is
beautiful to see how Nature, left to it.
self, admirably conducts these processes
so as to be harmless and to give vigor
to the successive food-crops and grass
es. But one can scarcely 90 into
rural district, where many people
dwell, without seeing how ruthless has
been the invasion. Entertainments
thrown up, excavations made, little
rivulets overlooked or thrust aside, and
general disregard Of the whole ques-
ton OF drainage is the rule in almost
every construction or alteration made.
Not only is there no extra attempt to dry
the soil, because of the interferences
which construction makes and the
greater dampness secured; but even
natural brooks are not guarded. Veg
citation falls into neglect, and, without
cultivation to take up decaying mate
rial, and with such overflow or alterna-
ton of dry and wet as kills out natures
attempt at compensation, mankind de-
liberately appropriate the debris to
their own shaking, and quaking, and
burning, and sweating, and then wonder
where chills come from. One great
tendency of population is to get be-
tween the hills and tide.water. This
generally means that we will intercept
water-courses (both in the ground and
visible) just where they are most dan
gerous to be intercepted-near their
outflow. In the haste to build, land
once tarmed goes to waste, and there
is often but little compromising vegeta-
ton. These marsh gases are some
times as perceptible to the nose as
is the ignis tatuats to the eye. They
are not generally stenchy to the de-.
gree OF the decompositions of animal
matter; but their heavy, murky feel is
well known to many exposed to them.
The effects are still better known. We
have seen places the past year, where
we would have been perfectly willing
to give insurance, that out of any ten
persons we could locate for three or
four nights at certain spots at least two.
thirds would have chill and fever. re.
mlttent fever, or some other periodic
manifestation. While there are way.
side theories or incidental modifi.
cations of view, we know of nc
point in which physicians who study
and who have practiced amid these
diseases are so well agreed as that de-
composing vegetable matter is the sine
qua aaom The fact that there is not a
manifestation each year is more cxplic-
able as we study more closely climatic
conditions and the relations of air. h,,.
Nudity, temperature, ozone and electric
conditions to ferments, to draughts, ant.
to the various phenomena we well asso-
clate under the name of the weather.
The study of seasons and temperatures,
for the Middle States especially, have
never been more interesting or more
marked than those of the years 1879
and 1880.
The remarkable July of 1873, with an
exceptional summer. the open winter Of
1879, the early heat and drought of
April and May. and the Irregularities of
heat and rain and humidity which have
the summer would have
been to us inexplicable in their intlu-
ence on vegetation and health had
there not been a very decided malarial
manifestation in al those places which,
the art of man has had in preparation
and been keeping in store for this occa-
sion. Our chief hope for the future is
that these lessons will not be lost; but
that drainage for health will be an in
dustrial enterprise, and be regarded as
much a matter for legislation as other
public concerns. The parties seemed
ut q little loss this year for platform