Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-04-20
MALARIA AND ITS CASES.


cradle. but they all proceed from common
source - blood poisoning. In the warm
months of the year all sorts OF destructive
germs are alluat in the air. The condition
of the atmosphere is such as to propagate
aud diifuse them. From the filth of city
slums, from defective drainage, from ILL
We inflated dwellings, from decomposlng
matter, in the house or out-oi-doors, from
stagnant pools, and from scores OF such dis
graceful and unnecessary nusances, come
these virucnt invisible germs of death. We
do not need to guard against them 50 CON
SANITY and so closely in the Winter time ior
then the atmosphere itself acts as disinfect-
ant. Cold is u purifier it checks decom-
position and prevents the spread of obnox-
ious germs. The human system, too, IS at
its vital height, invigorated and strengthen
ed by the larger play of the vital powers,
and so is enabled to rcsis! better
any infectious influence which is brought TO
bear upon it, 1t is not until the somewhat
enervating milduess of Spring is followed by
the prostrating and facilitating heat Of Sum-
mer that the normally healthy system is III
the proper condition to be influenced by
NAL lrial germs. And at the very time when
we are least able to resist these couriers OF
disease, the atmosphere Is most full OF them.
Enough has been said, surely, by physi
clans and writers on hygiene to MAKE this
subject very important and vital one to us
ID Il. 81 ie lar, tyht
repeatedly before u.s. and urged with espe-
cal emphasis in the time of danger, we are
apt TO become forgetfu aud careless AT
the opening of the season, therefore, few
suggestions by way of warning and remind
er, may be in place.
The most fruitful and deadly source of
malarial germs is pronounced by all phyA-
clans and writers on the subject, to be sewer
gas. In city like Burlington, we are espe-
ciaily Liable TO danger from this source.
Our system Of drainage, while pariak
ing Of all the advantages of the
system used in the larger cities, is
in some respects much more dangercrs. The
appointments in our houses arc less expen
sivc, less complete, and more careessly ar
ranged. Ii is not unusual in our homes TO
find the waste-pipcs opening ia or near the
living rooms From these pipes, connected
as they are, directly with the city ccsspOols,
foul and poisonous gases are all the time cs-
Gaping. We have none. or very few, OF the
mechanical guards against these gases and
emanatons enjoyed by those who live in
city houses. Our lav.lorics and basins are
cheap, simple affairs, arranged only with a
view to convenience in use, but entirely I'M
provided with sanitary appliances. And.
worse than that, we are not careful to en-
ploy the appliances we have. 1t is not half
the time that We take the trouble, even, of
replacing the metal plug in our wash basins
and bath tubs after using them. Who has
not noticed the foul odor in rooi.s where
such carelessness is permitted? 1t is simply |.
the evidence and warning that millions Of
dangerous maarial and diphtheretc germs
arc floating in the dir, to he breathed into
the lungs, and carried into the
circulation, and, if the system; is not suilici-
dreaded and perhaps fatal disease. If com |
mon sense and medical wisdom had the or
dering of our houses, there would be fewer |
zymotic diseases among us in the sckly sea- |
son. There ought to be no lava,ories in or
near the sleeping rooms of the family, and |
wherever the lavatories ale they should be |
kept IN the most perfect ciesuiiaess. thor
oughly ventilated, and provided with evesy |,
possible means of shutting out the gases from
the sewers with which they are connected.
Decaying vegetable matter is another pro-
life source of mslarial germs, which ough! |
to he guarded against. A heap of rottng
leaves, or fruit, or any other vegetsblc cub |
stance slowly assimilating with the soil. is |
dangerous to have on the premises. Partially |
decaycd vegetables in the cellar are likely to
induce disease. In fact, the existence of
any disagreeable and unnatural odor in the
house Or grounds is evidence of dccomposi-
ton somewhere, and wherever there are bad
SMELLS it may be assumed that disease Is being !
generated.
Lack of cleanliness about the home is al. |
most sure to result in some form of malaIia
disease. Purity Of all kinds is the first pre-
ventive. Next in value are dlsnfcciants.
If these are OF the right sort, and used in
they are almost certain 10 de-
stroy the floating germs of disease. There is
much difference or opinion as to what sub
stances form the best and most available dis
for general use. DIR. Sternberg,
a surgeon Of the United States Army, has
been making some experiments Of value in
this direction. His experiments do uot 1p.
pear to be favorable to the popular agency
of carbollc acid. lie says ''the crude acid of
commerce expressly manufactured aud sold
for dsinfecting purposes has utterly failed to
prevent the formation of bacteria = and
after calculations which could only be
of interest to the professional mind, he
sums up his experiments as showing that
the popular idea, shared in perhaps by
some physcanG, that an odor of carbolic
acid in the sick room or in foul places
cioUs, and, intact, that the use Of this scent as
a volatile disinfeciant is mpracticable because
of the absence OF the pure acid and the enor-
nous quantity required to produce the desir-
ell result. Sulphurous and nitrous pc9d
gsses. however, and chorines, he found 10
destroy bacteria at once and effectively. The
general result OF lis experiments is to show
that chloride Of lime is more trustworthy
disinfcctant than carbolic acid. 1t is .ttoba.
bic that a strong solution of sulphate of iron
the common copperas of commercc-liber-
ally uspd Ia tho heat ws al fnr promOtiug tina |