The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-06-19
on Consumption.
BY DR., s. s. FITCH.

AHe iaiScI tuc lungs, TIE InoTe per-
feet their development, the less they
are liable to pulmonary consumption.
That the more they are exercised, the
larger they will become; that as we
take active and laborious exercise, our
lungs will be continually enlarging;
that on the contrary, Incidence, want
Of exercise, &c., will render the lungs
smaller, until by absence Of air, the air
cells will then close up and collapse
their walls, as a bird folds up its plu.
mage. BY this we also learn that pure
air, and eve cold air, because more
dense, is the best friend Of the lungs,
and should be resorted to with the
greatest confidence, both to prevent
and to sure their diseases.
1t is found in the history of the A.
merican Indians-at one time number.
ing many millions Of people, and inhab'
itihg from the most extreme point
north, to Patagonia south, embracing
all the varieties Of climate and location.
resting in the frigid. temperate and tor
rid zones; occupying every variety oil
situation, on the sea-board, on the Dor
ders Of the lakes, on the tops Of the
highest lands, and in the most secluded
valleys; on tho widespread and open
prairies, and in the most arid deserts;
the countries Of the greatest humidity,
and where It rarely ever rains, as in
Peru; yet / all these countries, and
everywhere, such a thing as pulmonary
consumption has never been observed,
whilst those people remained in their
savage state. Bring them into our set
Elements, ~civilize them, educate them,
and let them adopt our habits, and they
become as liable to consumption as our
selves.
By what peculiarly is the Indian
distinguished from the civilized Ameri-
can? LIST, The American Indian is re-
markable for the perfect symmetry Of
his figure. "Stralght as an Indian," is
an old proverb, whose truth is instant
lily recognized by all who have ever
seen the wild Indian; his chest is per-
feet symmetry, his shoulders and shout.
der-blades are laid fiat against the chest,
and the whole weight ofhis arms, shout
ders and shoulder blades is thrown be-
hind the chest; thus always expanding
instead Of contracting it; the naked
chest and the whole person is often ex.
posed to the open air; they are much
out Of doors; indeed, rarely in doors;
breath the pure air, never stoop in gait
or walk, and pursue no avocations that
contract the chest, or prevent its free
expansion; often wash in pure cold
water; exercise the lungs freely by
athletic Notwithstanding, racing, the
chase, frequently dancing and shouting,
&c., most vehemently nearly every
day. The same holds true in regard to
animals.
Animals in their wild state never
have the consumption; whilst the same
animals domesticated have it-as the
monkey, the rabbit, the horse, &c.
Consumption is the child Of fertilization;
chiefly from the loss Of symme-
try, and from effeminacy, induced by
too much clothing, too luxurious living,
dissipation, too little exercise, and de.
bilitating diseases and occupations.
If there is an appellation that would
apply to us as a nation, it is round
The habit Of contracting
the chest by STOPPING. is formed by
multitudes at school, by sitting at low
tables or no tables; By sitting all in a
heap, either in school or elsewhere, by
not holding themselves erect in sitting
Or standing; and it is a matter of habit
to a great degree, with %tailors, shoe
makers, mechanics clerks, Students,
,eamstresses, and all whose occupation
causes them to stoop at their work, or
At their pleasure or amusement.
Practice will soon make sitting or
standing perfectly erect, vastly more
agreeable and less fatiguing than a
STOPPING posture. To persons predis-
posed to consumption, these hints as
writing or reading desks are of
he greatest importance. In walking,
he chest should be carried proudly
erect and straight, the top off pointing /
'ather backwards than forwards. The
North American Indians, who never
lad consumption, are remarkable for /,
heir perfectly erect, straight walk /,
Next to this, it is Of vast Importance to {
he consumptive, to breathe well; he g
hould make a practice of taking long n
sucking in all the air he can, $
nd hold it in his chest as long as pos
ible. On going into the cold air, in !
tead Of shrinking from it. draw a very
ing breath Of pure cold air. Do this !
hundred times a day, if you have any n
ymptoms Of weak lungs, as it will 2
ure you; should YOU have a sliphtli i