Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-18
THE POTOMAC MARSHES.
THE SG-CALLED MALARIA FEVER.

Marshes at Washington as POthogenic Agent
in the Production of the SO-called Malarial
Fever" READ By DR.. A. Y. P. Garnett before the
National Health Association at Savannah and
printed in Gaiard's Medical Journal. merits re-
production in Washington, both on account of
its local interest and the importance of the gen.
eral question discussed of the real nature of
that mysterious agent that goes under the
familiar name of Malaria
DR.. Garnett said: true conception of the
vast and important subject Of human sanitation
necessarily leads Us back to the consideration
of those primal laws of nature which establish
the relations Of man to his natural surround
iDGs. affecting his physical being through the
agency of recognized physiological. chemical,
and moral forces. either in the maintenance Of
a harmonious performance of all the vital func-
lions OF the animal economy. or initiating with
these. IN the disturbance of the human macfin-
cry and the consequent production OF disease
As IN the study Of the universe correct knOwI-
edge OF the laws controlling natural phenomena
and the relations of celestial bodies to each other
constitutes the basis Of all intelligent investiga-
ton. so with man in his physical surroundings
it behOoves us to familiariZe ourselves with
those natural laws and agencies which hold him
IN relation to his environments and which
directly affect the varied and complex p,leno-
mena Of his health
1t would be entirely beyond the limits OF pre-
tensions of this paper as well as an iinpOssi-
blity, TO enter upon comprehensive discussion
of so wide subject. or even to embrace in so
eircumseribed a field the innumerable and po-
tenfial agencies which affect the health of indi-
viduals. and which may be considered legitimate
objects fer our consideration: nor is it proposed
to include many of the most widespread and
active Causes which concern the public health
and with which the members of this body are
called upon specially to deal. The particular
subject to which your attention is invited as the
title OF the paper disc!oses is
THE SUPPOSED MALARIAL INFLUENCES OF THE
MARsHY DISTRICT OF THE POTOMAC
Immediately contiguous to Washington city
The nature, Daodus Op6-nnd and pathological
capabilities Of the so-ealIed marsh miasm upon
the human system will claim our notice further
on ContempOraneOus with the location of our
National Capital on the banks of the Potomac
we are told that the sanitary probabilities and
possibilities OF its surroundings became the sub
Ject OF anxious consideration by it's projectors,
naturally apprehensve of those deleteriOus in
hneDces which it was believed emanated from
the marshy districts found along the Dor
defs OF our fresh water rivers. capable of gen.
Grating fevers. and recognizing the future pOs-
siblity of such paludal formations they were by
no means unanimous or hasty in determining
the final selection of its present site Whilst
from the date OF its formation to the present
time. Washington, ike most cities located upon
fresh water rivers. and in the immediate vicinity
OF marshy districts. has been subject to the So
called malaral influences producing fevers of
various types. it is well known that such NOR
Dino agencies have been comparatively feeble i'm
their pathogeEic results as manifested i'm mild
types OF intermittent and remittent fevers. re-
strcted in their active development more par
lcuiafiy TO those portions of the city exposed
10 the niarshy regions. and contiguous to areas
OF damp. undrained localities. 1t is perhaps due
IN some measure to the mild character of the
SuDn0Sp6 frOn he's hot
the citizens of Washington have for so long a
PERIOD neglected to adopt some active and eff
clent means to remedy the evil. contenting
themselves with the hope and belief that Con-
gress would some day become sufficiently i'm
pressed with so important a subject as the
health of the National Capital as to make it a
matter OF national concern and accomplishment
Whilst there has existed for a long period a
large area OF marsh along the southern border
OIL the river opposite tine city. as we'll as cOnsd-
erable deposits of similar character against it's
northern bank, Immediately adjacent to the
city. 1t was net until after the construction of
the Long bridge in 1903. necessitating accord
ing TO the plan adopted the damnling I'D of
tWo-thirds OF the river. obstructing its channel,
and otherwise affecting its natural outlet. that
this paludal area has been rapidly au"mentine
embracing at present several hundred acres of
space, almost Obliteratng the north channel
ana destroying its usefulness for purposes of
navigation for vessels of the lightest draft In
source of disease. directly affecting the health
OF the National Capital, and indirectly connect
ell with the material and personal interests of
the whole country. the question is very nat
ufaily suggested, why has this been permitted
to exist so long a time? Wby with So MANY
examples before us of the disastrous consa-
quences OF neglect, inaction, and disregard of
OBVIOUS sanitary requirements we have supinely
drilfed along. passive and willing victims to the
CHANCES or disease or health? The answer to
my mind is found
IN THE ABSENCE OF ORGANIZED EFFORT on
THE PART OF MEDICAL MEN
The failure Of our professional men who are
the legitimate custGdians of public as we'll as
private health, to realize and appreciate the
pre-eminent Importance of this subject bv
organizing boards of health. and selecting for
such work not only scientific. active, and expe-
rienced laborers in special subjects but those
who can be impressed with full sense of the
responsibility and comprehensive duty which
attach TO such organizations Comparatiyaiv
snort period has elapsed. as YOU are aware
since TINS subject of public sanitation has forced
itself upon the attention of the profession and
the public by demonstrating it's tremendous
and incalculable importance to the material
prosperity and public welfare of nation. sum-
ported by the scientific labors and practical sue
cess OF those few bodies of organized sanitarians
VINO nave thus far embarked upon this wide
"SiU VI pipitSSOHdi ldDUf: UQt ONLY within the
past few years has the sanitary condition of
Washington city and its surroundings become
the object of such public anxiety and attracted
the attention OF the whole country
The fact that Washington city is the seat of
government. the abiding place of the executive
heads OF the departments. including the high
est pubiic functionar:es of the land-the tempO-
rary residence OF our national legislature. the
haDitafIon OF a large number Of the leading and
most influential citizens of our country. has
within the last decade awakened an active in
terest In its sanitary surroundings, and pract-
caily resulting so far in organizing and fOrmu-
latlng several plans for the removal or reclama
ton OF these marshy districts, attempting to
secure an improved condition of health, and
relieving the National Capital from the unfortu-
nate reputation which it apparently enioys at
present throughout the country
II Is not necessary that we should give in
detail "
IiiE VARIOUS PLANS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROPOSED
for the abatement or total removal of the public
nuisance. One embraces the simple removal of
the causeway OF solid earth composing part of
the Long bridge. thereby permitting the free
How OF the river, carrying off with it the con-
tents OF sewers and other matters inimical TO
health which may empty into it above this oh