The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-07-19
The Advance OF Malaria.


In recent years there has been q great
Increase In the consumption of quinine.
The demand seems to have grown
greater season after season, until it is
now regarded as one of the greatest
staples Of the drug trade. In explana-
ton of this, we find medical authorities
cite the remarkable growth in the path
ogenetic influence OF malaria, and the
extension of the formative area. In the
North we have been inclined to make
sport of the shakes that stir the flesh of
the Southern dwellers amid swamps and
bayous, and when the "agur" has mani
tested itself In more northerly latitudes
Ii has been quite the proper thing to ad-
minister jocular consolation of a COM
parative description. But the miasm
known as malaria seems to be an ex-
ploring and progressive poison, the off
spring of varied conditions, and by no
means confines its influence to the chat
tering negro in an alligator swamp, nor
to the lank and cadaverous Hoosier who
shakes for pastime. 1t Is becoming un-
pleasantly diffusive, and is following a
strange wake, the construction of rail-
roads, canals, and cities. Observation
has been that when q new country is
settled, fever and ague disappear
through the draining and cultivation of
soil.
In the original submission of nature to
man there seems to be a wholesome and
wholesale eradication of evils. But the
immunity thus secured seems to continue
only while population is sparse and con-
fined to agricultural pursuits; the build
ing of towns and cities, etc., necessi-
tating the obstruction or shutting off of
natural water-courses, produces condi-
lions which invite the return of the OBJ
noxious disease. Intramural ponds,
street excavations, and numerous other
accessories 10 the onward progress of
civilisation and the growth of popula-
don, give prevalence to malarial troubles
when they do not actually breed them.
Besides the miasm arising from stagnant
ponds, there ere others not less danger
ous which are bred by decaying garbage,
sewer gas, etc., which particular scient-
affect city life, and from them arise GER
tain periodical diseases as marked in
characteristics as the plain shake Of the
old-fashioned fever and ague.
Medical science observes that there
has been q steady and well-proportioned
increase in the United States of malari-
Gus diseases, in the recurrence of cpl
denies, from the first wel-defned
trouble between 1793 and 1899 to the
last and most extensive prevalence of
such troubles between the years 1870
and 1881. It was well defined
through the Middle and Western
States, as well as in portions OF
the South, while in New England
there has been q prodigality of malarial
fevers. Indeed, no portion of the coun-
try claims exemption, for the troubles
are apparent wherever there Is q rise of
the mean annual temperature and a
diminuition of the annual rain fall. A
continuous high temperature of several
months, acting on refuse matter of any
sort, seems to have defect not dissim'
ilar TO that where the recession of wa
ter leaves vegetable deposits exposed tc
rot beneath the blazing sun.
In very dry and hot seasons any 10.
oality may become malarious, and it Is
very certain that the malaria zone is be-
ing extended northward. A very hot
summer, following our peculiar winter
would demonstrate the fact that Chica
60 Is by no means beyond the radius oi
The influence. The evil is growing Il
gigantic proportions. Medical aid there
e none. The development of the poisor
seems to be coincident with commercia
progress, and It can be combatted only
by more thorough sanitation than is
unfortunately, In operation in most O
our cities and towns. This Is obviou!
to medical men, and though 1t is re
peatedly urged, the means of its en-
forcement are seldom adequate, or ar,
oarelessly neglected. There are specia
forms of malaria that are endemic with
In small divisions of city to which
prompt attention is given, and the evi
speedily remedied; but the more vita
and broader considerations of malaria
epidemic are not so well regarded be
cause of the public nature of the re
sponsibility, and futile efforts of cure
are the foolish substitutes for practica
BILE means of prevention. The argumen
Is equally applicable to all cities or part
Of the country, as the remedy is, pri
marily, drainage. We everywhere nee'
more and better drainage, sewers in tn
city and outs in the country. When tina
Is done, quinine may become less q ne
cessity.-Chicdgo Inter Ocean.
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