Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-11-06
Stray Plants,

The last number of the Scientific
American gives an account of an inter-
esting botanical lecture recently de-
livered by Prof. Rothrock, in Horticul-
tural Hall, Paramount Park, Phila-
delphia, on Stray Plants. The lecturer
stated that he did not intend combining
himself to those larger plants which we
can all see, but would embrace also a
brief statement OF those minuter forms
which we never see by the unaided
vision, and whose presence was only
generally recognized by the evils which
they wrought and by the enormous
death rates which they induced.
He then introduced the invisible stray
plants, which are only seen clearly by
the best powers Of the best microscopes,
plants that are destitute of the green
color which makes our larger and more
familiar forms self-sustaining. They
(more than the mistletoe) sre parasitic.
They are the habitual associates of
decay, disease, and death; though as
yet 1T would be premature to assert that
they are the causes of disease. yet the
facts appear to point to that conclusion.
Thus we have one supposed 10 be the
fever, another of pulmonary tuberculo-
sis, and another of cholera. Take the
one last named (comma-shaped) /. e.,
that of cholera.
First. 1t sfound in persons suffering
from cholera.
Second. 1t is found only in the or
gans affected by cholera, and therefore,
Third. 1t is not found in healthy
persons.
Fourth. 1t diminishes in numbers as
the patient convalesces. Hence it is
proportionate in number to the gravity
of the disease.
Fifth. 1t has marked powers of loco
motion.
Sixth. 1t lives and multiplies rapidly
in the clothing of cholera patients if
this be kept damp for twenty -four
hours.
Seventh. 1t will die if kept dry for
twenty-four hours.
Eighth. 1t develops only in SUBJ
stances which have an alkaline reaction.
NTH. 1t dies when brought in con-
tact with solutions which contain only a
little free acid.
These are substantially the conclu-
sions reached by Koch, who has been
the most careful investigator of the sub
ject. Clearly they point to the follow
ing cautions in cholera seasons: cleanli-
ness of the person, of the clothing, and
of the surroundings; isolation of cholera
patients; destruction by fire of clothing
and bedding used by the sufferers; alb
solute publication and frequent acidu-
lation of drinking water, and the re-
lection Of all water which can in the
slightest degree be tainted with sewage
from cholera infected districts. All of
these conclusions are amply sustained
by the experience which epidemics have
but too largely furnished. One thing
more the Importance of this subject
teaches. 1t is. that local, State, and
National health boards should be abso-
lutely free from political restraints or
from any measure of party expediency;
that they should be invested with power
which is final; and that they should
have the support and active cooperation
of every good citizen.
These germs of disease then come
fairly under the head of Stray Plants.
They float in the air we inhale and in
the water we drink And once started
in their career of destruction, it is pos
sible for them to incirce the globe with
badges of mourning.