The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-29
Fall Fevers-The Reason Why-Pre-
vention.

Editor Morning Ne,rs: In a few weeks
more decided change will take place in
the character OF our climate; from the Their
mometer running up into the SOS aud COS, IL
will drop down into the 70s. Fall begins
about Sept. %, though in our climate Ooto-
Der is really our autumn or fall month, but
with us September is the month to be care
full as to health, and for cities on the sea-
as to health. Doctors may talk learnedly
about bacillas, animalcule, in persona, etc,
but after all 1t is the atmosphere.
The richer and ranker the vegetation OF
any section or place, the more sure as to
certain Kinds OF fevers at certain periods.
Trees and ali vegetable growth give health
while there is growth. All growing vege-
table matter purifies the atmosphere and is
| life-glving in its nature The laws of nature
| are simple and clear on that point. To I'M
derstand thoroughly the laws Of nature is
| to understand the laws OF health; what to
do, and how TO do, to prevent disease aud TO
| secure good health.
It is we'll known that in all countries
| where there is rich vegetation feverS are
more frequent and dangerous than in coun-
tries OF ordinary vegetation. Whyi Be
cause In hot, swAmpy countries where vege-
tation Is rank, rapid and luxuriant, the soil
is loaded with decomposing carbonlo mat
ter; the plants absorb more carbonio acid
than they require, and then evolve carbonio
acid gas from their leaves. Hence, in our
low, swampy lands aud in such countries as
the West Indies the climates are injurious
to life, though remarkably, favorable 90
vegetation. The soil being overcharged
with carbonic acid gas, in excess Of oxygen
gas, fevers will prevail.
But another important question presents
itself to the thinker. But suppose we have
that kind Of soil around and about us, what
are we to dos II the soil cannot be drained
or utilized for a vegetation that will be
productive Of health, such as cotton, corn,
| rice, cane and vegetables, then get out of it's
| influence. Climates change with cultiva-
| ton. All fresh lands are unhealthy, as
| every one knows who opens a farm or plan
| tation. The blowing OF the laud hberates
the carbonic acid gas, the result of veye-
| table decomposition. The richer the land,
| the more sure fevers.
But there is law of nature which we
cannot dodge or evade. Some must de for
the benefit Of others. In battle some must
| die II victory Is to be won; pioneers in
everything are the sufferers while those who
come after them reap the fruit OF their
labor. But in this day Of science and in
vestigation, danger can be avoided in a
great degree Trees, flowers and every
blade of grass operate TO purify the air
| They absorb carbonic acid gas which is
their life, aud throw off oxygen gas which
is our life They correct and counterfeit
the corruption Of the air. Hence, there
should be in every city plenty Of trees
| around every town flowers and grass; and
as long as the trees, flowers and grass grow
there is health. Growing vines that flower
until frost is so much health. In a word
then, as long as vegetation grows there is
more of health than disease.
But as the law of nature is growth, ma
turity and decay, we must be on the look
out to render the decay as harmless as pos
sible. In q few weeks more the trees aud
vegetation will cease TO absorb, as Ghey are
now doing in degree, but not as much as
they do In spring, carbonio acid gas What
then3 Remove all decaying vegetable mat
| ter; do not let 1t die down and rot, but re-
move it before decomposition begins, for an
ounce of prev ention is worth ten pounds OF
cure, just as ona actual fact is worth thou
sand theories. As long as there Is life aud
an absorbing power In vegetation there is
| little danger, unless it be in swampy and
rich lands, where there is much decsying
vegetable mold.
Savannah is growing more healthy every
year, from the fact that it is building up
The swamp lands are being made dry, and
| the truck farms are the snnitariums of the
city. The more cultivated land the more
health. The science OF drainage and the
science OF the cultivation of land is the
great secret OF the health Of a city section
or place. Savannah cannot have too many
trees, but they should be trees which grow
and bud until frost. That Is the kind Of
tree TO plant In q city. Also deciduous tree.
should be selected, for la winter, house,
should have plenty Of sunshine Ia them, fol
there Is a wonderful quantity Of health il
| the rays of the sun. Just here let me say
| October is the time TO set out trees, not il
| the spring, unless you intend to nurse them
as you would baby, give them close Atten
| tion. The roots of tree take hold In the
fall when the soil is warm; while In the
spring the hot gun makes too great a DRAFT
on the fresh planted tree, for 1t has no re
| sistive or absorbing power.
| The old cemetery should be set out al
over It with trees, the more the better, anC
| 1t be made park-a park for the health
of the city independent Of the sen timen
| which fingers around and about every
grave. Instead Of talking about building
over the dust OF those who sleep In the old
cemetery. make of it for all time a healtl
resort, for trees, flowers and grass will dc
that TO perfection. But study the laws Of
nature and she will cheerfully open her ar
| cana to those who would know her secrets
One word to those Of your country read
| ers; to those who drink from wells. Plan
| around your well trees il you would have
| pure and fresh water. The roots of trees ar,
| the purifiers Of water. they arrest all matter
| and absorb 1t that would find it's way into
well water. With trees around a we'll on,
need not fear impure water. Il. NJ. o.