The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-08-11


means by which this information may be
obtained. The causes of disease are with.
in and around us-in our own bodies, and
in the earth, water, and air, upon, by, and
in which we live. 1t Is surprising how
plain and simple become those causes,
when viewed by the light oftrue inductive
science, causes hitherto co considered go oc-
cult, so wonderfully mysterious. Diseases
hitherto supposed to be in some way con-
nected with the inscrutab.e dispensatious
of Divine Providence, are found to be but
the inevitable consequences of our own ig-
norance or misconduct.
That the ways of the Almighty are mys-
terious and his paths past finding out we
are prepared to admit, but we deny that
these diseases are among them. Why He
allowed sin and disease to enter the world
we leave for the theologians to discuss.
But the fact that they do exist being un-
deniable, we contend that each arc under
our control, may, to certain extent at.
least. be avoided, and therefore, that we
are really responsible to the same extent
for their removal, 77f '''s
The first and the most important step
is to determine in what localities each dis.
ease is most rife and most fatal. In what
place intermittants are, most common, in
what continued fsvers, where dysentaries
prevail, where pneumonias and bronchial
affections are found.
This knowledge can only be obtained
from extensive and reliable statistics, de-
rived from thorough, and careful rsgistra-
ton. In some foreign countries accurate
aud reliable information has been accumu-
lating for many years, and the beneficial
results are manifest in the physical, moral
and social Improvement of the mass of the
people. The average length of life has
steadily increased, while the aggregate
amount OF sickness and suffering has evil
IDENTIFY decreased. In this country but few
of the States have adopted systematic
course Of registration, but those which have
are already beginning to realize some of
the profits of their wise course. Our own
State, though late, yet still in advance Of
many Of our neighbors, has nobly taken
the initiatory step, We have a registra.
tion law, which, though not unobjection.
able, is good beginning, and I am glad
to learn is being carried into operation.
I fear, however, that we may be contented
to rely too much upon our law, and thus
fail to do what, as physicians, as State
Society, as guardians of the public health
we are called upon to do.
In our corporate capacity the nomen.
clature and classi6cations of diseases de-
mand our attention. Uniformity in the
nomenclature of diseases is of such obvi-
Gus Importance that it need only be men,
toned. If the returns from the different
parts of the State give different names to
the same disease, or the same name to diff.
ferent diseases, ,insxtricabe confusion must
arise, and no reliable infsrencss can be
drawn. If uniformity does exist within
the State, but our system differ from that
Of other States, we may derive, it is true,
much valuable information, but lose the
advantage of comparison with other local..
ties.-The system now most extensively
adopted is that divissd by Mr.. VIM. FAIR,
Of England, and used by the British gsv-
ernment in the execution of its registration
laws. 1t is the nomenclature adopted and
recommended by the American Medical
: Association.
1t shows clearly the astrological afinities
d the causes, the agencies which operate to
produce the disorders to which We are
subject /; and also the accidents and inju.
ries to which different classes of men are
liable. 1t even brings distinctly before
us the Ills which weignorantly or wilfally
bring upon ourselves. 1t unerringly makes
known to US what maladies are inherent
in the sell or atmosphere, what in the con-
stitution Of the people, what in the occu-
patton and manner Of living, what are in.
Aicted by others, what by ourselves, and
what by the elements of nature. Hence
to the hygsist, to the guardian of the p1b-
lie health. it is Of inestimable value.
The classification was then explained,
Showing that, if full returns are arranged
by this system, not only the hygienic char
aeter Of the localities is developed, but the
strength Of constitution of the inhabitants
is shown, and even their social and moral
condition, to some extent, exhibited. ED.
And here let me advert to very COM
mon tallacy in drawing infsrences from
statistics. For if it be true that figures