The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-12-16

WE commend TO our readers the following ex-
tracts from an article entitled Washington
Malaria and the . Catching of Cold by S. O..
Busey, NJ. D., and published iii the Bulletin of
the National Board of Health
Malaria and the catching OF cold are un-
doubted factors in the causation OF disease, and
the morbid manifestations from bath causes are
frequently 80 much alike that differentiation of
cause is not always easily made. Physisians as
well as laymen constantly mistake the effects Of
one for those of the other, an'l the Ills that afaict
us are oftentImes attributed to the unavoidable
and baneful influences OF atmospheric contami-
nation, when in fact they are caused by the
9 catching OF cold.
"As yet malaria has not been isolated as a de-
fined element or quantity, recognizable either by
chemical reactions or microscopic characters. 1t
is true that Klebs and Thomassi-C rudelli have
announced the discovery of a bacillus maLdrie,
but the more recent experimental Investigations
of Sternberg. relating to the cause of nalarial
fevers, fail to establish the active agency Of these
organisms IN the causatlOn of them In man,
though many circumstances favor the hypothesis
that the etiology of these fevers is connected
either directly or indirectly with the presence of
these organisms or their germs IN the air and
water OF malarial localities Notwithstanding
this want of positive knowledge in regard TO its
true nature, numerous well known facts and cir
cumstances have established a belief that a poison
Is generated from uecOmpOelng vegetable matter
under IA combined influence of heat and moisture,
which, when introduced into the system, either
through the respiratory organs or alimentary
tract, will produce certain forms OF disease. which
vary in intensity, form and type, according to
the yirulence of the poison, temperature, amount
absorbed and individual susceptibility. For the
present discussion this definition OF malaria is
sufficient. and excludes all other dele;erious ema-
nations and morbifc agencies, either chemical,
gaseous. or parasitic.
"The development of this poison is favored by
marshes. mUre especially when containing mixed
salt and fresh water. and resting on a substratum
Of limestone, clay or mud; by swampy. undraiDed
and delta lands extensive excavations newly
turned soils; rains after long-contInued drought,
and consequently low-water level; careless culture
OF soil neglect Of cultivation where vegetation is
luxuriant and is permitted to decay on the sur
face and in fact by the requisite combination
wherever present, of the essential elements-high
temperature, moisture and decomposIng vegetable
matter. Nor can it be doubted that it may be
diffused in the atmosphere, and transmitted by
winds and water-course5 to non-malariOus To-
calities.
The circumstances which hinder or prevent
the generation of miasmata are high ATTITUDES,
high elevations. drainage, sunlight, sandy or
porous soil. and cold of these cold Is the most
powerful. The first fall of the temperature below
the freezing point in any malarious region arrests
the process OF development, and 1t does not re-
Ommenc until the temperature again ranges con-
tinuOusly during day and night above $50 Fair.
Malarial diseases are rare beyond the sixty-third
degree OF north latitude and the ffty-seventh de-
gree Of south latitude. The nearer the equator
from either of these lines the difsascs increase in
frequency and intensity. These limits are. how
ever, greatly affected by the duration and high
average of summer heat. Hirsch has shown that
the average summer heat is q more potential in
auence than the average annual temperature.
High elevation presents many curious exceptions,
probably depending upon geological formations.
Strata Of soil or other impermeable geological
formations which ebstruct or prevent the perco-
latiOn Of the water. and retain it in a loose sur
face of soil or in deeper layers containing decom-
posing vegetable matter, are frequently the cause
in many malarious localities. In such regions
subsoil drainage is the only ~effcctual preventive.
Sewers, with water-tigbt conduits las they ought
to be in all cities) for the conveyance of the filth
and stOrm-water, cannot accomplish much to-
wards soil drainage. The cleavage Of impermea-
BILE strata caused by the necessary excavations
may facilitate percolation to a limited extent, but
is altogether insufficient in those cities standing
upon soils where the conditions exist which rem
der soil drainage necessary.
Miasmata are generated more rapidly and
the poison is more intense during night than
during sunlight, and a hsmid atmosphere and
rapid evaporation favor its production. Hence
the ~salutary influence of solar light Is modified by
the moisture of the air, the rapidity of evapo-
ration and the total movement of the wind. ss
-. If not demonstrated it is very generally be-
the malarious poisons in great quantity, even
during the season when malarial diseases do not
affect human beings. IL is also believed. and