Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-10

Thus it appears, that during the whole period
embraced in these tables, Philadelphia has suff-
cred less from consumption than either of the
other cities; average number of deaths from
that disease for the whole time being as in
1908 of the whole number: while in Boston
they were as l in 6,lS5; in New York as in
5,o47. But during the last ten years, Boston
has enjoyed the greatest exemption. From 1881
to 1910 inclusive,the deaths in Boston from con-
sumption were only in 1887; in Philade phia
in 7,4S2, and in New York in 1862.
1t will be seen, by examining the bills of
mortality of the city of Boston, that there has
been very striking and uniform improvement
as to pulmonary consumption since the year
1911. BY the United States census of 1870
Boston contained 33,250 inhabitants; in 1920,
43,295; in 1880, 1892 and in $40, 93,452.
In ISL, when the population had not probably
Increased at all from the preceding year, as 1t
was period OF grea: depression in commercial
affairs, the whole number of deaths was 742 of
which 22l were OF consumption ; while in 1910,
with population nearly three times as great,
and with nearly three times as many deaths,
there were Only 10 more fatal cases of con-
sumption, the whole number being but 24O ;
not quite in of all the deaths, and not 3 in
1000 inhabitants"
After some further remarks in reference to
the correctness of the differences from the tabu.
lar statements, DR.. Hayward closes his paper
with the following judcious observations -
SIT must be evident then, think, to any one
who will examine the subject, that it is impos.
slble to explain the great diminuton in the
number of deaths by consumption, as reported
in the bills of mortality of the city of Boston
without admitting that there is an actual de.
i ere of that 1iSeaSp no u,hat this docraoco
may be owing. it is not perhaps easy to deter.
mine. j. is probably, however, to be referred
to a combination of causes, rather than to any
single one. These | should say were manl,
the great Improvements that have taken place
in living during the last thirty years to the in
creased comforts OF life, which are now enjoyed
by every class of the community People are
better fed, better clothed, live in more comforta
BILE houses, indulge less in excuses OF all kind,
and pay more attention to personal cleanliness
than they formerly did. They adopt better ant
more etfectual means to protect themselves
from The vicisstudes of temperature, and the
low rate at which cotton fabrics can be obtain
/ ed, and the consequent general use of them
have no doubt contributed essentially to this de
sirable result.
1t is well known that cold moist and varia
$ BILE climate acts not only as a predsposng
but as an exciting cause also of consumption
and unless the system is protected by prope
e food and suitable clothing by day and by nigh
. many of the inhabitants of such climate wi
fall victims to pulmonary disease. There
no greater error, believe, than to suppose tia
y the body can be ha dened by exposure to tn
d atmospheric changes without suitable precal
ton. 1t would be as reasonable to imagine tn;
u it could acquire the power of resisting any dc
n gree of heat or any of the powerful chemc'
e agents as that it could without proper protecto
Withstand the influence of the elements.
% Our only hope of lessening the mortality fro
n consumption, is by using all possible means
). prevention for it is not pretended by thos
:, whose opinion is of any value, that this diseas
W in confirmed state, is within the control
remedies. 1t behooves US then to ascertain,
we can, what these means are, and to use the
with diligence.