The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-09-19

table germ. ms germ may exist IN
soils without poisoning the atmos-
phere. remaining inert for years, even
for centuries, retaining its vitality,
however, and becoming active only
when certain necessary conditions are
present. These conditions. the con-
currencc of which is indispensable for
the production of malaria. are three in
number, viz. "A temperature which
does not fall below CTS degrees
Fahrenheit; q very moderate degree OF
permanent humidity of the soil, and the
direct action of the oxygen OF the air
upon the strata of earth containing the
malarial ferment.
Such being the factors in the case,
what can be done to remove one or
more of them and thus render malari-
Gus regions more salubrious? In the
! first place nature makes localities
healthy during certain seasons by TAX
ing away the factor of heat, there
being less malarial infection in Winter
than in Summer. But this means is
obviously beyond the reach of man,
nor is it at all certain that it would be
effective in this country, if within his
reach, for every physician has noted
tho fact that while malarial diseases
prevail to a less degree infrosty wealth
CIR. vet old cases have relapses and new
cases occur, even in mjdwinter.
The second means of prevention con-
sists in depriving the ground of its
moisture, by some system of drainage,
by cultivation of plants and trees
which consume large amount of
water in their growth, or by the de-
struction of dense forests which pre-
vent the rays of the sun reaching and
drying the soil. Much hope was placed
in the eucalyptus tree as means OF
extracting moisture from the ground,
but the experience with 1t, in Italy, at
least, is not encouraging.
The third method of publication is
to prevent the direct action of the oxy-
gen of the air upon the infected strata
of soil. This has been successfully
accomplished by tho system of over
LAYING, which consists in covering the
infected ground with thick layers OF
uninfected earth, at the same time en-
ploying thorough systems OF surface
and underground drainage. Regions
about Rome, heretofore malarious,
have been benefited by macadamizing
and turing the ground.
In districts where malaria prevails
In pernicious form it is difficult to
carry out large works Of improvement.
which take time for their accomplish
ment such as the forced cultivation OF
the soil, because of the sickness OF the
laborers. Professor Crudeli has there
fore been devoting the last few years
to search for means to increase the
power of resistance of the human
organism to the attacks OF malaria.
Acknowledging the great value OF
quinine and arsenic, rs preventive and
curative, he has still sought to discov.
or a cheaper, harmless and yet efiec
tive remedy, and this he believes he
has found in the ordinary lemon. He
does not claim the discovery as origin
: al with himself, or indeed with any
physician, but candidly acknowledge:
: the remedy to be of popular origin
: and, with true scientific spirit, seek:
, knowledge not only in the exact re
I searches of the laboratory, but also II
: the everyday experience of common
: people. He advises that decoction o
lemon be made as follows: Cut w
one lemon. peel and all, into thii
slices, put into three glassfuls OF watc
and boil it down to one glassful
}. Strain the liquid through linen, squeez
& ing thoroughly the remains Of boilet
lemon. and set it aside to cool. Drinf
IS the whole amount when fasting. A
n the decoction possesses cathartic prop
critics the dose should not be repeated
% too frequently, nor more than once
q day, or every other day, according t
&c individual susceptibility.
Whether the decoction OF lemon viii
It prove to be of permanent value ca
|, only be determined by extended ex
= pertinent. 1t is claimed for 1t that 1t !
u especially efficacious in the chroni
S forms of malarial poisoning, which ar
q no longer relieved by quinine. AS tn
- remedy is cheap and innocuous 1t vii
J. probably receive almost universal trial
& especially as it is recommended by sue
=. eminent authority. 1t is to be borno
e mind, however. that malarial man
is festations are not exactly the same !
70 different countries and in different IL
dividuals, and that medicine curativ
e in Italy may DO less so here. 1t is
te DO hoped that the subject will receiv
:. such careful study that the exact typ
a. of malarial poisoning to which 1t
n adapted may become known and acc'
n rately defined. -HarJord CouranI
,e WHEN TO USE THE LASH.