264 



on me for information respecting the climate, health, and resources of 

 Michigan, I think I can answer their queries more to their satisfaction, 

 by handing them, for their perusal, the Transactions of the Michigan 

 State Agricultural Society. 



In carrying out my plans, it appears to me to be necessary, that a 

 paper, from one competent to furnish it, should be embodied in our re- 

 ports, giving a true and reliable statement respecting the prevailing dis- 

 eases of the State, and the liability to disease, as compared with either 

 Eastern or other Western States. 



Will you please furnish me with such a statement, for publication in 

 the Transactions of the Michigan State Agricultural Society, and oblige, 



Yours, truly, 



J. C. HOLMES, 

 Secretary, Michigan State Agricultural Society. 



Detroit, June 22, 1854. 



J. C. Holmes, Esq., Secretary Michigan State Agricultural Society: 

 Dear Sir — ^Your note of the 21st has been received, and I would 

 beg leave to state in reply, that the subject is one that naturally interests 

 all those who are leaving the places of their nativity, not only from 

 foreign countries, but from the Eastern States, to make particular in- 

 quiry relative to the health of the place in which they may propose to 

 locate themselves. 



The prevalent diseases of Michigan, are those arising frord Malaria, 

 and although the most common is intermittent fever, yet this becomes 

 much milder as the forests yield to the axe of the woodman, and the 

 soil exposed to the action of the sun and atmosphere. 



Billions fevei"s, which are the offspring of the same parent, are far 

 milder, and much less dangerous, than in those States lying to the south 

 and west of Michigan. 



In fact, the diseases of the settled portion of our State, are fast 

 changing, and approximate closely to those of the Eastern States. 



As far as relates to epidemic diseases, Michigan has nothing inherent 

 in herself, that would, or does render them any more severe and fatal 

 than in other States. 



