Polynesian., 1854-03-11
The Cure of Consumption.

| We were so much interested in the follow
ing correspondence in the Home Journal,
that we have thought proper to transfer them
to the columns of the Polynesian. Although
no general rules can reach alike all cases,
we have no doubt there are many invalids
who would be benefited by the very sensible
prescriptions of s'doctor" N. P. Willis:
sc :. :, November 81, 1853.
"Mr. Willis-Dear Sir:-You will perhaps
think it presumption in me, an entire strang-
er, to address you as now do; but | shall
be willing to abide your judgment after you
have heard my story. am Presbyterian
Clergyman, in feeble health. After five
years preaching in one happy parish, my
lungs gave out, and l was obliged to give
up my calling. BY the advice of physicians
here and in New York, spent two winters
at the South, roaming from place to place,
but spending most of the time in Jacksonville
and St. Augustine, Florida was there dur
ing the winter of your tour in that region,
and on the same sad errand And | NAV
here say, that have taken great pleasure
in reading, weekly, your record of travel in
those parts.
"But got noessential benefit from the
Sunny South'-nothing but some disgust
for it, WEAKNESS travel and a warmer love
for the North and for my home. Neglecting
further medical advice, bought. two years
since, a country residence in this, my place,
built house, and devoted myself to tree
planting and gardening of all sorts This
has been my sole employment for two sum-
mers. In winter warm my whole house
moderately, not allowing the mercury to rise
above sixty or sixty-twO degrees, and con-
meet with this a thorough ventilation | re-
main within doors most of the time. Be-
tween romping with my two children, playing
with grace sticks, battledore, &C., fighting
imaginary foes with my cane, and the music
of piano, | manage to get regular, daily
exercise and recreation. In favorable wealth
er, also take a brisk walk of half mile
''This mode of life makes me quite happy
and / enjoy tolerable degree of health; but
don't get ,ceH. l followed you to Idlewild
with much interest, having a fellow-feeling
on one point at least, and watched to see
whether you would get the mastery of dis
ease. In your last letter, you say that you
are no longer to be classed among consump-
lives. mas 1 CdH say dS LuuCH IOr my
SELF fear. And on reading your lines, l
resolved to write, as once fellow invalid, and
ask, ,rhat has cured you? The Doctors ad-
wise me to GO South and take cod-liver oil,
but their prescriptions do me no good; and l
improve most when following my own judg-
ment. l spade, and hoe, and rake quite
Justify, and ride horseback, in summer; /
cough but little, and eat and sleep as well
as ever-but cannot use my lungs. Now
may trouble you to give me some plain ad-
vice-a little of your own daily reglmen-if
you are willing to do SO, an account of what
has helped you.
consult you, not as doctor, but as a
man of benevolence, knowing by experience
the feelings of young man arrested by dis
ease. and laid aside from the activities of
life.
elf you do not thing proper, or find it con-
venient, 10 address me personally, | beg
leave to suggest that you give your friends,
through the Home journal, some cf your
views and your experience relating to the
treatment of pulmonary affections A large
and eagerly attentive audience would listen
Ito your words, assure you. = -
's Pardon me sir, if have annoyed you by
this letter; and if you are willing to do SO,
please allow me to hear from you, and great
ly oblige, yours, with true respect, -
The politicians teach us how to treat dis
ease, i think. They do nottry to eonrert the