Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-11-13
M1sCELLANE0U Us .READING,

ORIGIN OF CoNsUAPTIoN.-The American
Medical Monthly for September, contains
some novel and interesting views relative to
the nature and treatment Of consumption
The seat of this terrible malady is affirmed
to be the lympathic system Of vessels; and as
these minutetubes form close interacement
throughout the whole body, also Icing en-
doWed with much activity, diseased fluids
transmitted through them are liable, under
certain conditions, to be deposited anywhere
and to be spread or accumulated with prcdi-
gious rapidity The nature of consump ption
is stated to consist in deprivation Of the
fluids which are propelled through these tiny
lympathie conduits. Two theories are pro-
posed to account for tie presence of the per-
nlclous elements which here taint and pois-
on the springs of life at their source. One
party atiirms that the process of nutrition is
at fault, and that part Of the food eaten is
lazly and imperfectly assimilatcd, Offering
itself in crude, half prepared state, to the
action of vessels not adapted to deal with
such material, but only with that which has
been submitted to u completer preliminary
elaboration. Hence cellular Development,
the first step in organization, is impossible.
The fluid cannot be taken up. 1t never be-
comes vitaiized or forms union with any
living tissue. On the contrary, it is bur-
den, and soon causes mischief. Another
party thinks that the material thus existing
in the far-reaching network of lympathic
vessels is due to decay, and contains the pro-
ducts of organic dissolution.
Both opinions are we'll supported, and
perhaps both may prove to be true. That
some noxious materials, whether the debris
Of used up tissue, or withered dead elements
refusing to become new tissues, are thrown
coDiousiy near the lympathics, is agreed: and
also that the quantity ofsuch products is so
great that this active sewerage-apparatus can
not carry it away. 1t accumulates and hard
ems into tuberoles. The cause of this dread
full malady as stated by our author to be
primarily the want of oxygen, whose pres
ence in sufficient quantity would either pre-
vent the formation of the tuberculous materl-
al, or would give power to cast it out as soon
as formed. a cure in the early stages of the
disease is said to have sometimes been secur-
ed by the use of chlorate of potash, and 9TH
er remedies which supply oxygen to the blood.
Prevention, however, here as every where,
is easier than cure, and is seldom impossible,
whatever be the hereditary tendency to the
malady. Muscular exercise, regular habits,
fresh air, suitable food, ample rest, active
occu patton, we'll ventilated apartments, prop
er clothing, and exemption from corroding
anxiety, are among the Indispensable and
most ordinary precautions.
SAVE THE LEAyEs-If Brother Jonathan
were as saving of manures as John Bull is, he
would be a better farmer. No one knows
until he has seen it how careful English and
European farmers and gardeners are Of every
thing which can be converted into manure;
and this is one ground of their superiority
n agriculture. Now let US repeat what we
have often said, that few things are more
valuable for fertilizing purposes than decay
ed leaves. They are hardly inferior to barn
yard manure Gather them up now, this very
month of November, before they are covered
by the snow. They are abundant every
where, lying in heads and windrows in the
forest and by the roadside and by the fences
in every yard. The wood-los should not be
stripped clean of them; but doubtless every
farmers land contains more of them here
and there than he can find time to cart home.
Gather them up by raking or by sweeping
with large birch broom Stack them aud
pack them in the large wagon, adding side
boards as high as convenient; you will hard
" get too heavy load. Cart them home and
use them as bedding for cattle and horses;
use them for compost in the stable-yard; use
them to protect tender grape vines and shrubs
and plants in winter. Strawberry patches
will fairly sing for JOY under such a feathery
blanket. By all means save the leaves and
use them.-Amerfcan 4griculturist.
1.s5~ THE AMERICAN MEDICAL AND To1-