The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-09-26

SIltitcIcu SlludtlOIlS.
The disease is common in Madrid,
Lisbon, Gibraltar, aud Malta, and very
frequent in the Antilles. From these facts
it would appear, that consumption is more
|or less the disease of all climates; but
that in very cold ones, such as Stockholm,
and st. Petersburgh, much less so than in
the temperate latitude of Europe.
eve learn" he adds, "by careful ex-
|amination of the ancient writer's that the
most genial climate for persons either pre-
disposed, or in the earliest stage Of the
disease, as a a0a1m one, subject to q lit
tie variation; but to those who are far
Their advanced IN it, such climate is de-
decidedly pernicious; hectic fever is in
creased, and soon terminates fatally. In
proof Of this fact, we may cite the opin-
ions Of DR.. Heihker and Renton, who re-
sided for long time in the island Of Ma
deira, viz: that the fine climate of that
island is highly beneficial to those who
are in the first stage of consumption; but
positively injurious to those who are in
the subsequent stages of the disease. DR..
R. has published a table, exhibiting re-
|sults.-Of AZ persons who arrived at
Madeira in advanced states Of consump-
ton, 80 died within six months Of their
arrival 6 returned home and died soon
after; remained longer in the island,
but died there"
These facts are strikingly analogous 10
those which have been remarked in the
United States.
In New York, where the variations of
Temperature are even greater than in Lon
don or Paris; the average deaths BY con-
sumption is 243 in 1000.
The City Inspector, in his annual re-
port to the Corporation for 1899, states
the total number of interments to be 1858,
of which 1915 died Of consumption, 400
Of inflammation Of the lungs, IS of infa-
nation Of the chest, 2s Of bleeding Of
the lungs, 38 of congestion Of the lungs,
and ~ of bronchitis-tota 1889; from
which it follows, THAT 243 in 1000 died of
consumption, or of diseases which come
within that category.
He remarks The mortality from pull
monary diseases, including in this list all
the disorders Of the respiratory organs, is
nearly equal to one third Of the whole
number of interments. The deaths from
pulmonary consumption alone, during the
past year, QS39.) were 1915, being ain in
crease Of 80 over the preceding. The
morality from pulmonary consumption
may be rated at one sixth of all the
deaths, but the average varies greatly a.
mong the different classes. 1t is worthy
Of remark, that Of those over ten years
of age that died of this disease, more
than half are natives of Europe. Ofthe
1854 deaths among our native citizens,
only GIG, or about one in nine, occurred
from consumption. of the 462 deaths a.
mong our colored population, l32, or one
in three and half, occurred Of this dis
ease and OF the 1853 deaths among our
Europea, population, 663, or about one
in three and quarter, occurred from the
same disease"
These deductions are, however, found
ed upon the 1915 deaths reported by con-
SUMPTION, whereas, the deaths under that
class really amounted to 1889.
The remarkable disparity in the num-
Der of deaths by consumption, between
the native and the European population
OF the city of New York, has been noted
to be nearly the same, in the bills Of NOR
tality preceding 500.
Throughout the Eastern states, the
mortality tsp obably greater than in New
York while in Lower Canada, where
the winters are as cold as those OF Stock
holm and st. Petersburg, but very dry,
and subject to trifing variations, the dis
ease is much less frequent than with us.
1t may be remarked as proof OF the
dryness of the air in Lower Canada, that
nearly all the houses and churches in the
city of Montreal are covered with roofs
of tin, which retains its brightness for
years.
1t is stated farther, that the country
bordering upon our great lakes is not so
subject to pulmonary affections as that
upon the seaboard the natives who in
habit it are much less liable to it than we
are; and it has been observed, that sol.
diers sent hence to our garrisons in the
vicinity of the lakes, often recover from
incipient consumption. The temperature
Of the Island Of Michilimacinac, from the
June Is toAug. Ii, is almost nvariable, and
the climate, during this brief period of
summer, is one of the finest III the United
States. Might it not be found beneficial
to persons predisposed to pulmonary af-
lection. The custom with us unhappily
is, to hurry away our friends in the last
stages of consumption to die in Europe
among strangers, deprived of the COM
/ G. 4 l.. al.
voyage sometimes renovates the strength