16 Prof. Daniell on Sulphuretted Hydrogen 



and diseased men, old age being unknown there. All attempts 

 to avoid the scourge, by living on the hills, or in the interior, 

 and frequenting the plain when the business of cultivation 

 essentially required it, were vain ; they fell victims to the ex- 

 tensive influence, and such being the effects upon the inhabit- 

 ants of the country, much more rapidly did a stranger suffer 

 from the deleterious atmosphere; one single night, in the 

 months of August and September, causing inevitable death to 

 the incautious traveller who should stay so long in this in- 

 fested country. 



" Such was the state of things until 1741. Previous to that 

 time, Gemignano Rondelli, Eustachio Manfredi, and Bernar- 

 dino Zendroni had successively insisted upon the necessity of 

 excluding the sea from these marshes; and, in 1740-41, a 

 sluice, with folding doors, competent to give emission to the 

 waters of the marsh, but prevent the sea from entering, was 

 constructed at the mouth of the Burlamacca. The most com- 

 plete and unexpected success immediately followed upon, and 

 has continued with, this work. The year after its completion 

 there were no appearances of the terrible maladies which pre- 

 viously appeared every year. The inhabitants soon recovered 

 health, and the land being very fertile, the population rapidly 

 increased, and is increasing at this moment. Viareggio has 

 become a considerable town, and so completely has all sus- 

 picion of its insalubrity disappeared, that the first families of 

 the city of Lucca have for years built their summer seats 

 there. Notwithstanding the success of the precautions taken 

 at this part of the coast, the neighbouring parts were long left 

 a prey to the destroying influence of the mixed marsh-waters ; 

 and the inhabitants around the basins of Motrone and Perotto 

 were not considered until the year 1804. In the years 1809, 

 1810, 1811, similar means were taken, with the best effects 

 to the inhabitants of Montignosso and the vicinity: and, in 

 1812, a sluice was constructed on the Cinquale, which per- 

 fected the arrangements in this part, and made a large portion 

 of country equally healthy with Viareggio. To complete the 

 arrangement, it was now only required to guard the ditches 

 of Motrone and Tonfalo with sluices ; the former was finished 

 in 1819, and the latter in 1821. Since that time the diseases 

 of malaria have ceased so entirely at all points, that no other 

 dangers are now incurred regarding the insalubrity of the 

 atmosphere than such as may arise from neglect of these 

 sluices, which the inhabitants of the country should regard as 

 their palladium." 



I should weary you were I to multiply examples of the 



