Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-03-13
Nests of Consumption.

We know Of two families in Massachu-
set.s Of whom the following story may be
told: Two healthy brothers married two
healthy sisters. Both had large families
ofchildren. One lived on the old home
stead, on the southern slope of one of the
numerous beautiful and well.drained hills
in that vicinity. The whole house was
bathcd all day in sunlight and consump-
ton did not touch any Of the young lives
under its roof. ...t...t ...l.. 81.
The other brother placed his house at a
very short distance off, but upon grassy
plain covered all summer with verlure.
In its front was large open common"
In the center of this, water oozed up from
beneath the split hoots Of the cows, as
they came lowing honeward at evening,
and the bare-ioo.ed boy who was driving
them used to shrink from the place, and
preferred to make the circuit Of its edge
rather than to follow the lead of his more
quiet comrades. Back Of the house was Il
large level meadow, reaching to the very
foundations of the building. Through
this meadow sluggishly crcptthe mill-strcam
of the adjacent village. Still farther, all
these surroundings were enclosed by lofty
hills. The life.giving sun rose later and set
earlier than upon the other fair homestead.
Till late in the foreno IN, and long before
sunset left the hillside home, damp, and
chilling cmauations arose from the mead
ow, anl day after day developed the tender
forms of the children that were trying in
vain to grow up hcalthily within them.
But all effort was useless. Large families
were born under both roofs
But one of the children born in the lat
ter homestead escaped, whereas the other
family rename healthy; and when. at the
suggestion of IA medical friend who knew
all the facts we have told, We visited the
place for the purpose Of thoroughly inves-
tigating them. we thou 5ht that these two
houses were a terribly significant ilustra-
tion Of the existence of this all powerful
law. Yet thcsc tw, homes had nothing
peculiarly noticeable by the passing stranger.
They were situated in the same township
and within very short distance one from
another, and scarcely any one in the village
with whom We spoke on the subject agreed
with us in our opinion that it was the To-
cation alone. or chiefly that. which gave
life or death to the inmates of the two.
We might speak of other home ,teads
which seem TO US now to be the very nests
of consumption in consequence of this law.
and vet not one parent out OF hundred
acknowledges even theoretically his belief
in the truth of our assertion. Parents dur
Ing long residence, may escape from the
dire influences OF location; and therefore
they imag ne if their children are failing,
that some other evil agency is at work rath-
cr than this law.
Illustrative Of this error on the part of
parents. we cannot torbcar relating the fol-
lowing fact: We know of q house situated
about foot above and just on the edge OF
n small lake. The cellar, if there be one.
must be below the level Of the water. The
house. built with taste ncstes amid over
hanging thickly-lelvcd trees. through
which tho suns rays oan scarce y penetrate
even at mid d-day. The homestead is over
run with the spring woodbine, clematls,
and honey-suckle. Goodness, dampness,
and little sunlight, are the characteristics
of the spot. In the midst Of summer it is
the Leau iaral ola quiet, refined country
house, which any one, even the most fas-
tidious would desire to occupy. Yet AS we
have looked at it. and have remembered
how one by one the children born in it have
been cut off by consumption either at pn-
herty, or at early manhood or womanhood,
we have turned with losthing from all its
external beauties, and have regarded them
all so many false and fatal allurenrents
bringing inevitable ruin to those who
should fall within the sphere oftheir infu-
ence.
These tales are no creations Of our mag
nation, but positive and undeniable facts.
DR.. H. L. Bomduch, IN Atlantic Nonthlu
Tur EpprcT NJ THE pROuIBlTORY