New-York tribune., 1874-07-18
DISEASE LURKING IN THE NIGHT AIR.


IMPRUDENr EXPOSURE IN SITTING on srooPS-
NECESSITY OF PROTECTION By EXTRA CLOTHING.
70 me EditOr or The Trt0Une.
SIR Ny age and experience as Il physician
enable with proprety and confidence to call the at
tentiOn OF the public TO custom, widely prevalent
prime cpaly among the middle and lower classes. cf
sitting on their stoOps after sunset. cOncete that
this position after hot day is OF comfort, Out 1t
certainly of safety. THIS opinion is supported
by years OF experience and careful observation. but in
further support of give the following found
ed on common sense and the weknowu laws OF health
The vapor which unler the effects Of the sun rises
during the day becomes condensed and reman near
the earth at night
Under the effect OF heat AMI fatigue, the
night is least able resist the depressing Influence
dampness and yap0rous air. and therefore the body If
exposed it, should be protected by additional cloth
ing. or by exercise.
The fact that chill is felt and that the skin is
comfortable with Precipitation furnishes evidence
that are not unluly exposing ourselves. On the
contrary the seeds OF many cbrOulc and fatal diseases
are laid while tine system is In that stace OF as,ttude
and repose produced by hot day, and while are
engaged IN that seductive employment OF " crying to
AT the very time that clothing is burden we should
either protect ourselves by or Withdraw our skin and
lungs from Immediate contact with damp sunless, and
vapoous air, which in just the proportion that IT
grateful 10 our sense Is destructive 10 our health A
notion widely prevails that the only danger from chis
aud fever Is incurred in the country. Tais IL
Statistics ana logic prove il to be lt is that
paved Streets perfect sewerage, and clean surroundings
protect from cDs and fever But there are blocks OF
elegant houses in eligible locations IN this city where
chilli. and fever. dlphthera, and kindred diseases
vail, | may say, 10 an alarming extent.
The reasons assigned (nd perhaps correctly de
fectiye sewerage and recently upturned eartn. But
these operate unavOrdDly chiefly in the absence
or the sun Those who labor during the day ia these
sewers and excavations are not exceptional sufferers
from chils and fever etc. The victims among those
who AFTER sunset remain near them and expose them
selves without exercise Or sufficient clothing To
tho exhalations theIefrOm. And the effects
though in less degree happen 10 those
who expose themselves anywhere whether III
city country after sunset by remaining stationary
cold stoOps, mperiectly clothed ana with systems
reduced by heat aud fatigue. The weakest may the
by active meet with mpunlty
emily, damp arr OF marsh, II properly clothed. The
strongest b. easily overcome by far less danger
II IL Is permitted To steal upon him IN hour
when his and fanctOns locked in "a state OF
fatigue and nactiOn for while II seems to cool and
es Is really closing the pores and Introducing into
the currents Of the system arrangement and poison.
And the fact that lllects do not shortly follow the
practice OF the babt Is evidence OF the unsoundness
my views Individuals differ in their operative or
resIstiye power, and the same individual today
with impdulty be exposed To "A disease IL sim
ilarly exposed Tomorrow he would succumb. But
effects Will later follow causes. And SIRE myth
OF constitution good condition viii always resist
the effects OF violation OF the laws OF health. Beey
INK my Views 10 be sound, ana that their adoption VIII
lengthen life and prevent disease send them To you
Nee YORK, July IS, 1874. AN OLD PHl lsCIAN,