Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-07
HON. WIN. L. KING.


How forcibly the present condition of this
gentleman reminds of the utter worthlessness
OF the honors and triumphs of EARTH Borne into
the Vice Presidency by a vote almost unprece-
dented In the annals of party contests in this
country, he finds himself in a condition. physi-
caIIy speaking, wholly untitled to enjoy the sub
stantia benefits resulting therefrom. The victory
which his party has achieved, turns to dust and
ashes on his lips. The acclamations of political
friends falls lislessly upon his dalI ear The
shadows which are destined, we fear, soon to
exclude earth from his vision are falling fast
around him. Well may he exclaim-"Ob
worldly honor What is it?'' at is even as a
vapour, that appeareth for a little while and
then passeth away'
The health of Col. King, never robust he
came seriously impaired during the past sum-
mer The warm and genial climate of the s.sun-
ny South" failed to restore him ere he was sum-
moned to Washington to enter upon the discharge
OF Senatorial duties. In obeying the summons,
the fell disease which was preying upon his
vitals, became aggravated. He arrived there
only to find himself an invalid in his own cham
ber. The raw, cold atmosphere of the Federal
Metropolis rendering even partial restoration to
health predetermined, his friends united with his
medical advisers in recommending a change of
scenery and ofclimate. The federal government,
with commendable courtesy, placed steamer
at his disposal, and he is now soourning on the ex-
treme Southern part of the coast of Florida. Little
hope, however, is we learn, entertained of his re-
covery. The disease under which he labours icon
anT innAf icf h,,t ,I,a G..
upon his vitals, to admit of successful treatment,
through either REMEDIAL agents or change of eli
mate, OF both combined. Indeed it appears from
the article below, that the effects of change of
climate upon the disease of which Col. King now
suffers, is beg inning to be attacked of late years
with some severity by the eminent medical mon
of Europe.
We need scarcely remark, that we sk ould hail
the restoration of Col King to health with the
lveliest satisfaction. But we fear the worst; and
not should be surprised to hear of his death at
any moment.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
Effect of Climate Oh Consunnptiou
The idea, once so popular among medical
men, and still held by considerable number of
the profession, that Il change of climate ia
OF late years, with great severity, by writers
on hygiene in Europe. Among the most
prominent of these assaiIants have been Sir
James Clark in England. Carriere, in Franco,
and Schonev in Sweden. A new writer,
holding similar opinions, has just appeared in
London, as we learn from article in CHAM
bers' Edinburgs journal. Tt is DR.. Burgess.
Influenced by the statistics of others, as we'll as
by his own experience, DR.. Burgess calls in ques-
ton almost entirely the beneficial influences of a
change OF climate on consumption. He especi--
ally derides the idea that Madeira, and other
places famous for their pretended, curative prin-
ciples, possess healing powers at all. He cons
tends further that il we study the analogies pre-
sented by the history of the inferior animals, we
find no argument in favor ola change of climate
And Justly he maintains that the curative effects
of climate where climate is beneficial at all, acts
through the skin, and not through the lnngs,
and that consequently change of air is always
useless, and often positively injurious to a con-
sumptive.
For tho opinion that warm climate is not in
itself, remedy forconsnmption, DR.. Burgess refer
to the fact that the disease exists in all attitudes
In India and Africa, tropical climates, it is as FREE
quent as in Europe or North America. At MaI-
ia, right in the heart of the genial Mediterranean
the army reports of England show that e-third
of the deaths among the soldiers are by consump-
ton. At Nice, tavorite resort of English in
vads, especially those afflicted with lung com.
plants, there are more native born persons who die
of consumption, than in any English town of equal
population. In Geneva this disease is almost
equally prevalent. In Florence pneumonia, in
the Doctors words, sis marked by a suffocatng
character, and by rapid progress towards it's last
stage" Naples, whose climate is the theme of
so much praise by travellers, shows, in her hos
pitfalls, mortality by consumption equal to one in
two and one third, whereas Paris, whose climate
is So often pronounced villainous, the proportion
is only one in three and one quarter. In Madeira
no local disease is more common than consump-
ton. Statistics like these, all drawn from unirn-
peaceable sources, would seem to warrant fully
the opinion OF DIR. Burgess. And their popular
diffusion will go great way, we should think. to
dissipate the erroneous notions that have been
formed on this important subject. For why tear
an invalid from home and country, only to die in
a foreign and distant land!
The next position of DIR. Burgess is that as the
beasts, birds and fishes of one region die in anoth-
CT, change of climate cannot, unless excep-
tienally, be beneficial to invalid. Nothwith-
standing the greater ada ptability to climate
which man preserves, the human constitution,
it is plain, cannot endure changes of temperature
without being more or less affected by it. The
frost and thaws of England have corroded, du-
ring the lapse of ages, the solid stone on it of
which their cathedrals were built. la like man
nor n foreign climate gradually undermines the
health. Dr. Burgess refers to the shattered cons
situations of every officer, who has served, for
any length of time, in India; and to the we'll known
fact that children born of white parents in India
are delicate n class. The African, as we know
by the experience of its country, cannot endure
severe and protracted cold. Canada is the common
grnye as we'll as refuge, of fugitive slaves. If
such is the effect of changes of climate on per-
sons in health, what must it be, argues DIR. Bur-
CESS, invalids! And he iortiiies this theoreti-
cnl conclusion, by reminding that il is moi nnlx