822 On Malaria. 
rich and beautiful than the Elysium of the poets: but the charms of 
a fragrant atmosphere, the effulgence of an unclouded sun moderated 
by bowers of foliage, the rich verdure chequered by flowers of every 
hue, the clustering vine and loaded fig-tree, invite the passenger to 
linger in the scene of enchantment, only that a deadly poison may 
insinuate itself into his veins. Near the sea, on the west of the Via 
Appia, isa garden of Prince Doria, the flowers and trees of which 
have so long grown wild, that the tangled shades form a receptacle 
of miasmata ; and a deep fertile valley the property of Prince Chighi, 
shaded with elms, and possessing every variety of rural elegance and 
beauty, has Jong been abandoned to the dominion of nature and the 
seasons; deer and birds are the only objects of moving difes which 
disturb the frightful repose. 
_ These will suffice for examples of neglect, and will shew how itis 
co-operating with natural causes, to dagonulata one of the. fairest 
portions of the globe : and as like causes produce like effects, Rome, 
pots gathering up her glories, and her mighty deeds for the shroud, 
‘passing to the silence, and solitude of Paestum, and Volterra, 
es alarm the inhabitants of other cities, and teach them to gait 
against the approach of similar dangers. 
» IL. First among all measures for the purpose of subduing the causes 
of malaria, it is recommended to drain or fill wp wet grounds, and to 
prevent the collection of pools: and standing eae where vegetation 
flourishes. Next i 1 ventilation. Upon 
a smaller scale are various local defences, when the pestiferous €X- 
halations can neither be prevented nor extinguished. ‘These are, 
groves of trees, walls, fences, fires, moderately warm clothing; upi- 
c diet and exercise, and a most mmrupalogs guard ace 
sr te to the evening air. - 
_ Treatises have been written, and many experiments have been 
made, to to ascertain the best methods of reclaiming wet lands for tik 
Jage ; and so generally are they understood on the ground of profit, 
that I need not occupy your pages in repeating many of them: but I 
hope the great additional motive for prosecuting such improvements, 
as that of preventing epidemic pestilence, will arrest the attention 
every class of citizens. 
_ As malaria employs its deadliest energies in Italy, from the. united 
results of political, moral, and physical causes, so the beneficial ef- 
oe: ke Oy — Spextent there, ought to be conclusive of its 
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