The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-03

yellow fever at least correspondence re-
duced; and the effect will increase as time
goes on, especially II such sanitary or
gani2ation is established as will insure the
permanent care and maintenance of the
Improvement.
AS to the malaria in general. there are
many theorists and many theories. but
there is no difference Of opinion whatever
as to the peculiarly pernicious effect of de-
pressions which are covered with water to
such an extent as TO prevent the whole-
some growth Of ordinary crops, and espec-
tally on the borders OF ponds which, as
the water recedes during the summer
time, are left exposed in the best condi-
ton for the growth, development and es-
cape into the air Of the malarial germ.
In malarial districts fogs are especially
pernicious, and it is thought that germs
released from partly dried ponds and from
undrained ground are not only transported
in fog, but increase and multiply therein.
This being the case it will be one OF the
chief advantages OF the drainage " s4l<-
recommended that 1t will greatly reduce
the prevalence OF fog.
Naturally, all the benefits indicated
above will be realized TO an increased de-
gree II the land is under-drained The
extension OF the sewerage system will have
this effect wherever il goes.
IL may be well ut some future time when
the work can be afforded, TO prevent the
flooding of the valley OF Dry Creek by the
rising OF the river and to provide for the
natural drainage by pumping, but this
need not be considered Ia the present stage
OF the improvement.
There are innumerable instances OF the
glfli mt ~
by drainage. IL would probably be safe TO
say that there are no instances OF improve
ment failing to follow properly executed
work. Climate has much TO do with the
matter, and the climate Of Decatur Is much
less favorable than more northern one
would be. However, climate does not act
rs cause, only as an aggravation Of the
cause. Your condition can certainly be
greatly improved. and / believe that in
time the whole area be made unsuitable to
the development OF malaria. Confrma-
ton OF this view 10 to be found in paper
in late number Of the Edinburgh Rerieig
on Recent Advances in Surgery and Med
icine, from which the following is an ex-
tract:
MANY towns along repuled unhealthy
districts have become healthy up to and
above the average az soon as wise sanitary
measures have been carried out Hong
Kong rs an instance in point, aud q most
remarkable one. In 1912 aud 1913 the
deaths among our troops ranged from 10
10 % per cent. In other words. the death
rate per 900 was between 100 and 200, an
appalling sacrifice OF life In 1915 better
accommodations reduced the death ratio
to IS per 1000. Still more recently, when
model barracks were erected, the deaths
fell to less than 70 per 1000, which shows
that the climate was not the only thing 10
blame. In the las, century the climate OF
Calcutta was pesiilential. IL is stated tl.s>la
In l723 a large proportion Of the British les.
idents in Fort William died OF ague. Again,
in this same city Of Calcutta, DIR. Clark
records that In l770 an epidemic Of ague
occurred. which carried of $4,000 natives
aud 800 Englishmen. Let these figures
be conirasted with the fruits Of good drain
age and persistent attention TO the laws Of
health, and see what can be done. For
tunately for the triumph OF preventative
medicine, We can turn 10 the Calcutta Of
our day. The following passage Is suiii-
GENTLY startling Strangers will read with
surprise that do not think saw above a
dozen cases Of ague in a year on the aver
age, and those occurred In persons who
Dau gone INTO thc nclguDoring lunglCs on
hog hunting and other such excursions
Science has In the Indian Capital con-
quered one banc Of our raco-the deadly
Hguo OF tropical climates"
My attention has been called TO the
condition Of the lake on the other side Of
the Tennessee River. Il does not seem
10 me that this can be regarded In any
sense as n factor in the case. A lake IS
far less injurious than a marsh, and belt
Of trees, such as lies between this lake and
the area under consideration is regarded
as barrier TO the passage OF malaria.
Furthermore the prevalent summer and
autumn winds arc toward the lake and
not from H.
What has seemed 10 me more serious,
and what should certainly receive atten.
ton, Is the siagnant ponds along the sides
Of the railroad across the river. These
ought 10 be connected with each other
and with the river bank In such way rs
10 be drained out promptly after each rain
and on the subsistence Of the river afto<S
floods. Respectfully submitted,
GEoRoK l.. WAXING, in.