Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-04-15

Slo,ooo, ny SuDSCTlItlOil.
CAUSES AND ANTIDOTE OF CONSUMPTION.
| The larger the lungs the more perfect their
development, the less they are liable to pull
monary consumption. That the more they
are exercised the larger they will become
that as we take active or laborious exercise
our lungs will be continually charging; and
that on the contrary Incidence, want of exer-
else, &C., will render the lungs smaller, until
by absence Of air the air cells will close up
and collapse their walls as a bird folds up lis
pumage. By this we learn that pure air,
and even cold, air becomes more dense, is
the best friend to the lungs, and should be
resorted to with the greatest confidence, both
to prevent and cure their diseases
1t is found in the history of the American
lndians-at one time numbering many mil
lions of people, and nhabitng from the most
extreme point north to Patagonia south cm-
bracing all varieties of climate and location
resting in the frigid, temperate and torrid
zones; occupying every variety of situation
on the sea-board, and on the boarllers of the
lakes, on the tops of the highest lands, and in
the most secluded valleys on the wide spread
and open prairies, and in the most arid de-
serts the countries of the greatest humidity,
and where it rarely every rains, as in Peru,
yet in all these countries, and every where,
such thing as a case Of pulmonary con-
sumption has never occurred whilst these
people remained in their savage state. Bring
them into our settlements, civilize them. and
lot them adopt our habits, and they become
as liable to consumption as ourselves. BY
what peculiarities is the Indian distinguished
from the civilized American First, the A.
merican Indian is remarkable for the symme-
try of his figure Straight as an Indian is
an old proverb whose truth is instantly re-
cognised by all who ever saw the lid Indian;
his chest is perfect symmetry; his shoulder
blades are laid fiat against his chest, and the
whole weight of his arms, shoulders and
shoulder blades is thrown behind the chest
thus expanding instead of contrac,hgit it. The
naked ches, and the whole person is often
exposed TO the open pure air, never s.oop in
gait and walk, and pursue no avocaton that
contracts the chest, or prevents its free en-
pansion; often wash themselves in pure cold
water, exercise the luiys freely by athletic
exercise, running, racing, the chase, frequent
| Iy dancing and shouting, Sc, most vehe-
mcntly nearly all day. The same holds true
in regard to animals
| Animals in their wild state never have the
consumption, whilst animals domesticated
have i,-as the monkey, the rabbit, the horse
&c. Consumption is a child of civilization :
results chiefly from the loss of symmetry,
and from etieminacy induced by too much
clothing, too luxurious living, dissipation, too
little exercise, and dcblita,ion, disease and
occupation.
If there is any appella,ion that will apply
to us as nation, it is round shouldered.-
The habit of contracting the chest by s,oop-
ing is formed in mulidutcs at school, or out
of school, by not holding themselves erect
either sitting or standing ard il is a matter
of habit in great degree; tailors, shoema-
kers, merchants, clerks, students, scamstres-
ses, in fact all whose occupation causes them
to stoop at their work, or II; rest, or at plea
sure or amusements.
Practice will soon make sitting perfectly
erect vastly more agreeable and less fatigue
ing than STOPPING posture, To persons pre-
disposed TO consumption, these hints as re-
CARDS writing or reading desks are of the
greatest importance. In walking the chest
should be carried proudly erect and Straight,
the top of it pointing rather backwards than
forwards.
The North American Indians who never
had the consumption, are remarkable for
their perfectly erect straight walk. Next to
this, il is of vast importance to the consump-
tive to breathe well. He should make n
practice of taking long breaths, sucking in all
the air he can, and hold in the chest as long
as possible On going into the cold air, in
stead of shrinking from it, draw in long
breath of the pure cold air. Do this a hun
dred times day if you have any symptoms
of weak lungs, as it will cure you. Should
you have slight cold, be in the habit OF
drawing in a full chest Of air
Luxurious feathers or down beds should be
avoided, as they greatly tend TO efieminate
the system and reduce the strength. For this
reason beds should be elastic, but rather firm
and hard; straw beds, hair mattresses, these
on a feather bed are well a most excellent
mattress is made by combing out the husk oil
shuck of Indian corn first met these beds
in Italy-they are delightful, Cold sleeping
rooms are generally the best especially fol
persons, but all should be comfortably warm
in bed.-Dr. s. s, Fitch on Consumption.
A BEAR WrIPPEp.--The Miners Prospec,
gives an account of a regular sei-to in Potosi
Mo-, the other day, between man named
Silvers, and bear weighing 500 lbs. II was
a fist fight, rough and tumble. The bear
was placed in room and unclaimed, when
his daring antagonist, dressed from head to
foot in buckskin, met him, and after severe