Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
2 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
THE ABYSSINIA N EXPEDITION.—GEN…
THE ABYSSINIA N EXPEDITION.—GEN ERA L INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SANITARY OFFICER. Much has been written very recently about the probable ravages which disease will make amongst the ranks of the soldiers who form the expedi- tionary, force for service in Abyssinia, It is to private travellers almost entirely that we are in- debted for our information as to the peculiarities and diseases incident to the climate of the country, and hence the conclusions drawn afe based upon observations made by persons unacquainted, save in a very slight degree, with medical knowledge, and unaccustomed to trace the relation between the occurrence of disease and special conditions of insalubrity. It is therefore a matter of congra- tulation that every precautior. has been taken to ascertain what maladies are most likely to inca- pacitate our soldiers, and to define clearly the general drift ot precautionary measures. The di- rector general of the Amy Medical Department has drawn up a memorandum of instructions for the guidance of the medical officer charged with the sanitary arrangements of the British force, without entering into details that may probably turn out absurd in their observance hereafter. Dr. Logan points out that much will have to be left to the judgment of the sanitary officer and the know- ledge he personally acquires of the country on his arrival in Abyssinia, but the collated informa- tion from various sources shows that the main factors of disease and their remedies may be con- sidered in reference to the three following heads -viz., 1. CONDITIONS OF CLIMATE.—The strongest men should be selected for forced marches or tentative expeditions into unknown or doubtful localities, since the feeble and more depressed the physical vigour the greater the liability to the action of the t, malarial poison of the low lands. Fasting, expo- sure to cold, insufficiency of clothing, and want of sleep, are to be avoided or overcome before any such marches. A good night's rest, good diet, the issue of some hot beverage such as coffee, the use of flannel clothing, the avoidance of marching after sunset, and invariably of lying upon the bare ground without some waterproof covering, and if possible some dry v egetable product such as grass 11 9 or fern, and the being unprotected from the dews by a covering or some form of tent extemporised at the moment, such as the employment of blankets as during the New Zealand War • the issue of con- centrated meat with biscuits, so as to anticipate any delay in the commissariat supplies, are to be carefully attended to, as affecting the personal condition and comfort of the soldier. Sites for camps are to be selected to windward of any places where malaria is known or suspected to exist; deep valleys and ravines are to be avoided as far as possible, even in marching, and advantage is to be taken of belts of trees, as affording protection from currents of air blowing from marshy dis- tricts. Water to be examined minutely, and spe- cial apparatus has been sent to the officers for the purpose. That obtained from low-Iving sandy districts is to be avoided if possible, and abso- lutely if obtained from near the sea. The use of all fresh and new skins for the transport of water on camels is to be shunned, and a pre- ference given to old and well-worn ones, since it has been shown that the water may be tainted, and its employment be followed by serious ill- health, if new skins are used. Water is to be purified by filters, of which a large number has been sent out, by boiling, or what other means appear necessary at the moment. The tempera- ture of the high lands being liable to consider- able variation in the twenty-four hours, and during certain seasons of the year, the atten- tion of the sanitary officer is to be directed to the clothing of the troops, which will require to be ample, especially at night, when the dews are heavy; and, if necessary, the diet of the troops is to be altered to suit particular cir- cumstances. For the prevention of scurvy fresh meat and good vegetables are to be given the troops; when these cannot be obtained, lime juice and the fruits of the country are to be pro- cured instead. The injurious effects of any ex- cess of spirituous liquors are dwelt upon in the instructions, as well as the paramount importance of temperance, cleanliness, bathing, and the neces- sity of the frequent use of cold water to the skin to pre-erve its functional activity. It is recom- mended that at night a light supper should be taken before going to rest, particularly when the troops bivouac. 2. CONDITIONS ARISING FROM THE HABITS AND DISEASES OF THE NATIVE POPULATION.—These have been noticed pretty freely in this journal. Dr Logan states that the people of the country are dirty that dogs and animals are numerous that not only are the streams liable to be infested with the eggs of tapeworms and other parasites, but also meat and edible vegetables; and when the germs of these parasites are introduced into the body they produce after a time perceptible and serious disease. In the beef, veal, and mutton of the country these germs are to be found, so that all food should be thoroughly -well cooked, a point we hope will be carefully at- tended to. The feet should be protected against the attacks of the young guinea worm. Most danger is to be apprehended from the outbreak of epidemics -of small-pox, of cholera, and enthetic disease. These are to be mainly avoided by not allowing troops to enter villages before the health of the in- habitants is well ascertained, by encamping at a dis- tance and to windward of villages and restricting intercourse between the troops and natives of an in- fected locality. Opthalmia, produced by the sand of the plains floating in the dry air, may possibly become contagious. This is to be guarded against. 3. CONDITIONS INCIDENTAL MORE OR LESS TO ALL ARMIES DURING ACTIVE SERVICE.——The choice of sites for field hospital camps is to be attended to, all over-crowdmg of tents to be prevented, and the ut- most practicable cleanliness is to be enforced in latrines, hospitals, and camps. If necessary, large fires are to be lighted in camp near malarious dis- tricts. The longer the occupation of the camp the greater necessity for good drainage, for making new and filling up old latrines, and keeping all the slaughter-houses free from offal and decomposing organic matter, and at a distance from the camp. As the nature of the country and service will entail a good deal of marching and fatigue, the sanitary officer is to pay especial regard to the state of the men's boots, as a precaution against foot-soreness and lameness, and the men are to be allowed to bathe their feet before and after a march, or even during a halt on the march. The director general is aware that many special and local circumstances will pro- bably present themselves, such as cannot be met and included within the scope of general instructions. The latter have, therefore, been drawn up so as to leave the sanitary officer great liberty of action, and ample room for the exercise of ability and prompt judgment. These instructions have been forwarded to the Governor of Bombay and Sir R. Napier, and it is to be hoped that due weight will be given to the recom- mendation of the sanitary officers. On many former occasions, in fact most of our wars, very ugly occur- rences of a preveatible nature have been brought about by the total disregard of the suggestions of the medical officers, and in the present expedition it would not be difficult to quickly cripple half the army by turning a deaf ear the admirable instructions which have been drawn up by the director gen ral of the medical department with so much care and fore- thought. A copy of a report by Assistant-Surgeon Dr. Neill, who is personally acquainted with Abys- sinia, and which contains suggestions for the pre- servation of the health of the soldiers, has been also forwarded to commanders and medical officers. Dr. Neill advises some additional precautions after a rainfall, when the waters of the streams become yellowish and sometimes brackish, the former caused by the washing away of surface soil and the latter by the existence of salt in the mountain chains. In this coadition the troops should not be permitted to drink the water, as it produces dysentery and diarrhoea. If an open well be come to, with vegetation around and hanging in the water, it should be avoided. Wells in use, Dr. Neill says, should be closely shut after sunset, because they become the repository in their contained water for ova of. insects. Some- tames the water becomes poisoned by the juices of poisonous plants in autumn, producing when drunk a species of cholic, like cholera. New wells should be constantly dug; the water soon percolates into them. In the stems of a species of elm honey is found this is poisonous, and gives rise to giddiness, flushing of the face, and all the symptoms of coup de soleil. The poisonous principle is derived from a species of acacia. Near groups of trees a fly exists, which by its bite produces uncomfortable local swellings. The troops should be put on their guard against hippopotami and snakes. The suggestion that Dr. Neill makes, that a medi- cal officer, if postible, should be in advance of the main body on the march, should examine the wells and streams, and post sentry a over each suspicious place till troops have passed, is one upon which great stress is laid. 0 THE MURDER OF AN ENGLISH CONSUL IN AMERICA.—We published a few months ago an account of the murder of Westmoreland, the Eng- lish Consul at Brunswick, Georgia. His unsuc- cessful rival (Martin) shot him down almost in- stantly upon the conclusion of the marriage cere- mony. The case came up the other day before the superior court of the district; but it being found impossible to get a jury the court adjourned, z' and Martin was admitted to bail in the sum of 20,000 dolls.-New York lleruld. THE FATAL MAHOGANY.—A storv is told about the late W. Hope, the wealthy banker of Amster- dam, and one of his purchases. He had bought a picture as a Rembrandt, and gave 2,000 guineas for it. Finding it did not quite fit the frame he sent for a carpenter to ease it a little. While watching the operation he remarked how wonder. fully the picture was preserved, considering that it was nearly 200 years old. That is impossible,' said the carpenter; this wood is mahogany—and mahogany had not been introduced into Europe at that time.' Mr Hope burnt the picture.—Comhill Magazine. SAMBO ADRIFT.—A few days ago a Norwegian vessel arrived in Cork Harbour from the Brazils, having on board a young negro whom the captain picked up on a raft several miles from the Bra- zilian coast. It appeared Sambo had been, as is the custom, fishing a short distance off the coast on the raft, and it commencing to blow pretty freshly from the land, his raft was driven out to sea a couple of miles. He fell in with the trade winds, by which he was carried away farther from the land, and was giving up all hope of being res- cued, when the Norwegian vessel came to his as- sistance, The poor fellow bad been three days and nights on the raft, suffering the greatest pri- vation, having had to subsist on a few small fishes, which he caught before going adrift. The captain of the vessel treated the boy very kindly, and he is now a member of the crew.-Cork Examiner. AN AMERICAN ON THE WORSHIP OF THE ENG- LISH CHURCH.—' There is one thing to be admired in the worship of the English Church-the ap- parent unity and fervour of devotional interest and feeling in the congregation. The moment the text is announced there is a general opening of Bibles, all following the preacher's explanation of the passage with the greatest earnestness. The singing also is diffusive and congregational. There are no instrumental interludes between the stanzas of the hymn. There is no flourishing of trumpets in the playing of the organ, and nothing like executing music. Art is subordinated to de- votion more than it is with us. The choir is mixed up with the congregation, thus giving correctness and fire to the singing of all the people. I have never heard in Catholic countries, or in any part of the world, church music that for beauty, ani- mation, and fervour, at all equalled the choral singing in the public service of the great English cathedrals.'—American Notes of an English To, r. THE SNAIL'S TONGUE.-If the reader takes an interest in the works of nature, let him examine the tongue of every species of slug and snail that he can find, whether it belong to the land, the sea, or fresh water. There seems no bound to tbediversity of their shape, and even the tiny teeth themselves possess an individuality so marked that by from two to three only of these objects an experienced eye will at once determine upon the creature from which they were taken. Some, as in the doris, look like rows of iron rakes with long curved points some, as in siyhonaria, bear an equal re- semblance to garden hoes; some, as in the trocus, or top shell, resemble tigers' claws, sharp as nee- dles at their points, and barbed along their tren- chant edges. Others, as in the testacella, resemble transparent bayonets; others, as in the helix, or snail genus, are rounded and tuberculated while in many cases the form of the teeth is quite unique, and cannot be likened to any object with which we are acquainted.—Our Garden Friends and Foes. ANTICIPATED DISTRESS AT WoOLWICH.—A very large number of artificers and labourers employed in the Royal gun factories at Woolwich have been discharged from that department, and others have been suspended, in consequence of the existing orders for the year having been completed. Many of those retained are employed interme- diately three days in the week, or on half time. A good deal of local distress is anticipated in con- sequence of the want of employment. The two departments of the Royal Arsenal—namely, the laboratory and carriage departments, are working over hours, both having abundant orders on hand, the former in the supplv of an enormous amount of the, new Snider ammunition, of which they turn out I'J million per week. A portion of the cartridge cases, to the amount of 150,000 per day, are provided by the contract firm of Eley, Brothers, Gray's-ion-road. The shell foundry of the same department is also engaged in casting the Palliser shot and shell in large quantities for India and the North American stations. The forges and other branches of the carriage square engaged in the manufacture of the new species of wrought-iron gun-carriages, slides, &c., are in full operation night and day.
DOCTOR LIVINGSTONE.I
DOCTOR LIVINGSTONE. I The following telegram was received last night at the Foreign Office — Colonel Stanton, her Majesty's Agent and Con- sul-General in Egypt, to Lord Stanley, dated Cairo, Nov. 20, 1867. (Received Nov. 21.) Message has reached this agency from her Ma- jesty's Consul at Zanzibar, dated the 28th Septem- ber, to the following effect 'Reliable information has reached this of Dr. Livingstone having been seven months ago at Marutiga, on his voyage towards the northeast, passing to the west of Lake Tanganyika. 'Mr Churchill was about to proceed to the coast to obtain further information.' ■ -♦ A DIGGER'S WEDDING.—A very curious circum- stance recently occurred at a digger's wedding,' at Ballarat. The bridegroom on arriving at church waited for some time, but all in vain, for the coming of his bride, upon whom he had literally lavished some £ 150 or zC200 in jewellery, dresses, &c, and it at last became evident to him that she had no inten- tion of keeping her appointment. This being the case, and being desirous of not having his journey and trouble all to no purpoee, he proposed to one of the bridesmaids-to whom he had previously made a tender of his hand and heart, but who had rejected him-that she should reconsider her refusal. Ad- miring, probably, the philosophic spirit displayed by our friend, the young lady did reconsider, and retracted her refusal, and, apparently very much to the satis- faction of both, and certainly to the amusement of those present, they were made man and wife.-Mel- bourne Arg'is. SUNDAY ASSOCIATIONS IN THE BUSH. An Old Bushman gives the following pleasing description of the effect of early Sunday associations where, perhaps, they might least of all be expected to show themselves:—'I well recollect that even in the bush,' and on the diggins,' the Sunday was always at least a day of rest, if not of devotion and although not probably one of us in a hundred had the opportunity of attending a place of wor- ship, still the early lessons of an English home Z, were never entirely forgotten and even the bush tent wore a quieter and a different aspect on the Lord's Day. Probably a clean shirt and a cleaner face might be the principal outward observances z, of the bushman's Sabbath and the Sunday was hailed by most of us a day of rest from our weekly toil, in the true sense of the word. But still the Sunday was as much Sunday in the bush tent as in the quiet village cottage at home; and the calm stillness of the day was not altogether without its fruits, for it carried the wanderer's mind back to the scenes of childhood and home, and opened once again the only page of life's bistorv which could be said to be without a blot. It would be hard to say what thoughts were passing through the mind of the rough bushman as he lounged upon his rude bed in the full enjoyment of his Sunday's rest and a short black pipe but I will venture to say that, in nine cases out of ten, if his mind's tablets could have been laid bare at that moment, a small village church, and perhaps a grey-haired parent, or r a little sister with her hand fondly clasped in his own as he led her up to the old grey porch, would have., been found engraven there in characters too z, indelible for the rude waves of the stormy sea of life ever to obliterate. The sound of the church- going bell had, however, never broken the deep solitude of the forest in which his tent is now pitched. His mates might be engaged in some of the necessary occupations of every-day life. One jnight be washing a shirt, another cooking dinner, while others might perhaps be seated in careless conversation around the camp fire. But there was even still a something in this wild spot which told that this day was different to any other. The loud laugh and the coarse jest, which too often garnished the ordinary discourse of the bushman, was seldom heard on the Sunday; or if one more hardened than his comrades attemptedit, his mates would be more ready to turn away than to laugh.' GRASS OR ARABLE!—We have often asked our- selves this question, and have most decidedly given the verdict in favour of arable in our soil and cli- mate. It is, in fact, a question of soil and climate. Nature points out to us where grass thrives na- turally. On such soils as ours (yellow plastic clay full of iron and without lime or chalk), and a dry cereal climate, the natural grasses are of the worst quality. The addition of calcareous matter im- proves them, but this cofts about £ 5 per acre. By sowing choice grass seeds and clovers at intervals, and by heavy folding or feeding with fattening sheep, we manage to mf\Àe about fourteen acres good for accommodating our stock. On sofls so difficult for grass we can, by our manure or guano, produce an average of five qrs of wheat and two tons of straw and in a choice season six to seven qre of wheat, and two tons and a half straw, six to seven of beans, and ten to twelve qrs of black oats. As the great bulk of all kinds of our straw, particularly bean and pea straw, is finely chaffed and consumed, we are very independent of bay. although we have at this moment forty four bullocks and 180 sheep on 170 acres, and a very. moderate breadth of roots and cabbage. If all our farm were in grass, it would hardly be enough for this stock, and yet we grow nearly or quite 600 qrs of corn annually. According to our best re- cent authority (Mr Caird), we have in England alone (omitting Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Mid- dlesex), 13,000,000 of acres on grass (not used for the growth of corn), and only 14,000,000 of acres arable. Judging from my own experience on this farm (and of course on similarly situate lands in. England) the growth of pasture instead of corn inflicts a heavy loss .on the country. Poor grass land requires a minimum of capital, and produces a minimum of food lor the people. Neither does it employ much labour, nor so many implements as arable land. I broke up a small area of unprofitable grass, pared and burned it, and have for many years drawn from it heavy crops of corn, pulse, and roots. The difference in expense of management is more than cqmpensated by the increased value of such crops; and especially such a year as this, where I have five qrs of wheat, six of barley, nine of oats, and five to six of beans. At present high prices poor grass land is completely distanced. Our great weakness in arable land is not using the straw as food, by which its value would be tripled as compared with throwing it down in cartloads as great mops for the rainfall, and water from un- troughed roofs. Farmers often express surprise at how I can find food for so much stock, but when they see 100 to 150 bushels of fine cut strawchaff (wheat, bean, oat, or barley), mixed with bran, malt combs, cake, linseed, bean meal, and condi- mental food consumed by the stock daily, they cease to be surprised, and many go and do likewise. This is the way to feed and employ the British people, and to find use for our yearly increasing capital. The pastural system (except under cer- tain circumstances) is no longer adapted to the welfare and requirements of our crowded and meat- consuming population. Although I grow 600 qrs of corn annually, I still make much more meat than is usually produced from grass farms equal to mine in extent, on which no corn is grown — J Mechi, Nov. 1167, '| A BOLD LEAP BY A HUNTED Fox.-On Tuesday Mr Muster's hounds met at Oxton, and after a sharp search started a fox, and gave chase. Rey- nard, being hard pressed, entered the village of Epperstone, went through some gardens, orchards, &c., and entered the lawn of Mr J. Crip well, pur- sued by a few hounds. On one side of this lawn there is a drop over a wall of about sixteen feet. Reynard took the leap, which seemed rather to stun him for a second or two, but he soon recovered, led them a chase, and finally saved his life by his good speed and cunning. This fox has been run several times in former years, and has been named Lord Lyon.' He still lives to give further sport. AN INVULNERABLE SHIP.-Great activity now prevails on board H.M.S. Hercules, the last and the most formidable of the armour-plated shipf. Al- ready nearly 2000 tons of 9-inch, 8-incb, and 6-incb plates have been bolted on her sides. Large turn- tables are being fitted on her batterv deck, and from the trials already undertaken at Chatham it is confidently anticipated that by the aid of Captain Scott's invention the guns in the battery of the Hercules will be capable of being turned from port z, to port as quickly as a turret can be rotated from side to side. In addition, however, to these 18- ton guns, the Hercules will carry a couple of 12-ton guns on her main deck, of which one will fire directly ahead over the stem of the ship, from be- hind armour-plating, while the other will occupy an analogous position astern. The upper deck armament will consist of Gg-tongans, of which two will commabd the entire how, round to each broadside, and the other two the stern in a similar manner. The bow battery is also supplemented by the most formidable submerged wrought-iron ram stem yet given to an ironclad ship; and should it ever be found necessary to use the Hercules as a. ram, and blow from her powerful stem, with the vessel steaming fourteen knots per hour, would prove fatally decisive in the case of any vessel against which she might operate. It is stated that at Shoeburyness she is regarded as invulnerable. A THIEF-TAKER.-An extraordinary case was brought under the notice of the Newcastle magis- trates on Friday. A woman, who gave Emma. Bellings as her name, and 27 gears as her age, was charged with having stolen the sum of Its. from Miss Laura Davies, residing at 4, Ridlev-villas. The prisoner, who was respectably dressed/and the prosecutrix, who is a little person when compared with the prisoner, had been hearing Professor Owen lecture on Birds on the preceding evening at the Literary and Philosophical Society.. The lecture-room was crowded, and the crush on leav- ing the place was considerable. The prosecutrix fancied she felt a hand in her pocket while in the crowd, and as soon as she obtained sufficient room examined her pocket and found that her purse was gone. Satisfied that the prisoner was the guilty. party, she looked out f'pr her, and soon discovered her pressing through the crowd as quickly as she could. The prosecutrix followed with all possible- speed, and at last caught hold of the prisoner, and charged her with having stolen her purse, which she stoutly denied. The prosecutrix shouted Police at the top of her voice, but no officer ar- rived The prisoner tried to escape, but the other succeeded in retaining her hold. The former was much the stronger, and she continued to drag the latter at pleasure. After proceeding up the Pudding Chare she crossed the Bigg Market, and entered Grainger-street. The prosecutrix appealed to several foot passengers, said she had been robbed, and re- quested them to get a policeman, but all turned a deaf ear to her entreaties. Still, she kept hold of the prisoner. At length they reached the top of Market-street, where Belling bolted into the Grainer Hotel. Miss Davies preferred following her to yielding her grasp. No sooner had they entered the bar than the prosecutrix again besought some one to proceed for a policeman. A man who was present complied with her request. An officer soon appeared. Miss Davies then went off duty, and handed her well-retained prisoner over to Police-constable 39 of the A division. The Bench coxKinitted her for trial, but the prisoner preferred pleading Guilty' and she was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour. POLYGAMY AT THE SALT LAKE CITY.—The Gen- tile women recognise and visit only the first wives- I conversed alone with three mormon ladies on their system. Two were young and unmarried- The first was an active member of the church, and apparently an earnest believer in its doctrines- But to my remark, that I liked everything I satf except polygamy, she answered ingenuously:- 'Well, I don't like that, and I don't know of any body who does The second, though reared in the faith, and nominally one of the saints, bad steadfastly refused all offers of marriage. She re- garded the leaders as charlatans, declared she would die rather than wed in a community where pIll" rality of wives was tolerated, and would leave the territory but for family ties. A few months later she did leave, to become the wife of a Gentile. Tb6 third was the wife of a prominent saint. Again and again had I heard her husband aver that women not merely acquiesced in polygamy, often urgeid their consorts to take additional wi*eS* Aifter some general conversation she asked, £ is the most noticeable thing you find among us" The peacefulness of the rival wives. The faC that they not only refrain from breaking others' heads, but generally seem friendly, so[11e" times even affectionate.' < That is from stropg religious conviction. Nothing else could it. I believe our women are better, more p* than any others in the world. Nobody knows severity of the trials they have to endure.' T&, lady, in painful earnestness, with teeth and every muscle tense, said, I would rather my daughter in her shroud than married to a p' ralist.' The first wife deems herself superior the rest, sometimes refusing to associate or spea. with them, or to recognise the legitimacy of i marriage. 'Are you Mr 's only wife V a Gentile of a Mormon lady. 'I am,' was reply; 'though several other women call selves his wives We were told of one Vo0.'a £ low with a pair of wives, in a single house contain1 but two rooms. When he brought home his 9eC°n$ spouse the first indignantly repudiated him» would no longer even speak to him. Soon aWH the second wife also refused to serve further; the luckless man was sleeping alone upon ^e15ngr of his cabin, and doing his own cooking, wa s^Last and mending, whilst his consorts were a' ,iCf agreed in hating him cordially. Like old he had done it once too often.' We dined at t; house of a leading saint, whose two wives, Pregged at the board, but only as waiters, were dre alike, and really seemed to regard each otb jy sisters. One portly brother has a wife in 0 every village so that when he makes the tour of the territory with Brigham, he can a jjy, stay in his own house and with his own Polygamy is at least sustaining; the wolnea I expected to support themselves.—Beyond th* sissippj. !■ Printed and Published, on behalf of the jfl' by JOSEPH POTTER, at the Office in High-8,r JJIG. the Parish of Saint Mary, in the County Town of Haverfordwest. I Wednesday, November 27.1861.