The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-08-15
MALARTA'S PECULIAR TRAIT.
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Edward A. Curley in Home Science says
Malaria is poison from vegetable decay.
Some say that it consists of myriads of i'll
visible living foes, which attack and de
stroy the man who goes where malaria
reigns. Others say that it is a diffused
poison so subtle as to defy chemical anal
ysis; not composed of living things. but,
perhaps phase of matter, resulting from
reconcile process ofdeeaying nature. 1t is
sometimes found in dry situations, and it is
sometimes absent in swamps; it is often
very prevalent where the soil is poor and
sandy. and it is as often entirely absent
where the soil is rich loan and the vigor-
Gus growth OF vegetation indicates rapid
changes in the dccaying organic material,
of which the soil is largely composed
Nevertheless. we look for it most in damp
places and wet seasons out of the sun
light rather than in it, where organic
material is rapidly decomposing we expect
to find it and upon dry and barren rock,
surrounded by the sea. we are almost always
safe from its presence. unless we ourselves
import the conditions of its existence
The time of day has much to do with it.
In the night, the early morning and the
shades of evening we are in danger while
at mid day and in early afternoon there
is comparatively little to fear even in
city smitten with yellow fever.
In the house the basement is full of dan
ger--the ground floor is to be avoided
while if We are III the third story of good
house, on the sunny side, with plenty of
light and air, with a piazza to promenade
and with little or no draft into our rooms
from the regions below, we are more
likely to preserve health, even in a sickly
city, than in a close dark, badly ventilated
room, in a crowded caravansary in some
far-famed seaside resort.
The position of IA habitation makes a
material difference. On the bank of a
wide stream well stocked with fish there
is less malaria than there is little further
back ON the alluvial land near it; little
way up from the base of a steep hill over
looking the valley, there is less malaria
while Just upon the brow of the hill whence
we have the most delightful prospect, it is
sometimes the worst of all. A ravine run
ming down the hilly country into the wide
valley is apt to have the poison on either
side; while thick growth of wood be-
tween a house and the source ofthe trouble
is likely to ward it off Even stone wall
will sometimes check it, although it has
been to known creep up the sides of a
mountain for more than Thousand feet
Taking with thoroughness, and really at
a tritling expense of cash and trouble, the
means to get pure on-malarial air that We
have last detailed, an unacelimated family
could live with probable impunity in a
region badly inflicted with malaria None
need fear the outer air from II till o. clock.
and rugged members of the family would
probably be able to resist its influence from
ten to eleven hours Of the day If we are
correct in this opinion. it is matter well
worthy of the serious consideration not
only Of people now living in poisonous eli
mates, but of others TO whom change of
location, if it could be made with safety to
health, would sometimes bring many adj
vantages.
And if it be true that malaria comes out
of the ground: if it is most yirulent in the
moist air close to the ground let us raise
our houses well clear of the ground. so as
altogether to avoid this air