National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-02-07
NO. nI-CoNsUMPrIoS,
On page 9S ofthe Report fol 1865

are some very interesting remarks
and figures on Consumption and
other Tubercular diseases. This dis
ease is one Of the :aost dreaded, as
it is from year to year, the most
common, the most fatal and the most
uniform in its loyccupon the vitality
of this State. Il comes under tie
class of constitutional diseases; and
is supposed to be caused largely by
climatic influences, hot however
those climatic Influences that are &C
cidental and changeful in any enc
locality, but those which belong to
climate inits permanent and broader
character. In the colder and NOUN
famous regions OF the earth it is
more prevalent than in the lower
ATTITUDES, and where the surface is
more level. Yet We do not know as
it il peculiarly fatal in the extreme
cold Of the Attic regions. Perhaps
it is most induced by the great and
often sudden changes from Da,m TO
cold, from dampncss to dIyHes5, and
from calm to windy, that occur in
the mountainous portions Of the
Temperate Zone. This IS the pc
sition of Vermont, and the character
Of her climate. Consumption PIE
walls here more than in most Of the
States, and nearly il not quite equal
toany other portion oftho earth. Itis
true also, that habits Of living, os.
pecially as regards dress, and the
structure, heating ycntiliating, ana
probably lighting Of our dwellings.
have much TO doin inducing and ~
grayating this fatal disease. But
since these conditions depend On
fashion, they are about as difficult
to control in the interests Of health,
as the climate Of the State.
The uniform force Of consumption
as destroyer Of life may be seen in
the following figures giving the
number Of deaths b. it in each year
in the state: in 1857, 1876; 1868.
1913; 1859, 1874; 1860, III; 1861
1888; 4SGe, 751; 1868, 1888; 1861,
coo; 1860, 7G6; average for Lin
years 756. During these nine years
all deaths from Tubcrcular causes
amount to l to every 3S.7 persons
living and to 1882 per cent of all
deaths. The aN erage per centage
Of deaths from this cause in nine
years Q85G-lSGI) in Massachusetts
was 10. 20; i'll Connecticut for 1866,
1914 per cent. The whole number
OF deaths by consumption III these
nine years in Vermont is reported
GS0J, Of which 2G5o were males, 4l41
fcmales-which gives Gi males to
100 females. Up to the age Of ten
years, the fatality is greatest q
M rs, also over 10 years. From The
age of ten to forty about one half o
the deaths occur, and within thi,
period the death Of females are il
excess more than two to one, 22J2 tC
1105. The whole number OF deaths
in nine years by all Yuborcular dis
eases, including consumption, scrof
ula, hydroeephalus and others
Is reported to be 1926. B}
counties: Addison go; dis would
give one death to every 50 Of th,
population Of the county; Bcnuiug
ton 4l4, one 10 II; Caledonia 5I6
one TO Sc; ChittcuGen 5T2, one tl
40 Essex 81, one to II; Franklin
.iD2, one to 5G; Lamoillo 273, one {,
Al; Grand Isle 80, ncto53; Orang
763, one to 50; Orleans 81, one t,
81; Rutland rs, one to 10; Wash
ington GIG, one TO As; Windam s73
one TO 81; Windsor 9S7, one to 80
In this disease also it appears tina
Windham, Orange, Caledonia m,
Windsor are the most mhcalth,
counties in the State. The sma'
rate in Essex is doubtless the +,
suit Of imperfect returns.