The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-07-22
p,sease Lurking in the Night AIR.

Disease LURKING Ii INC NA6 ~
1uppupEST EXPOSURE IN SITTING ON STOOLS
NECESSITY OF PROTECTION By EXTRA CLOTH
ING.
To the Editor of the Tribune:
sir..My age and Experience as q physician
enable me with propriety and confidence 10
call the attention OF the public to custom
now widely prevalent, principally among
the middle and lower classes, OF sitting on
their stoops after sunset. concede that tnis
nosition after hot day Is one OF comlort,
Int it certainly is not one of safety. Inls
opinion is supported by years OF experience
and careful observation, but 10 further sup
mort of it I give the following reasons, found
ed on common sense and the Well-knoWp
laws of health:
The yapor which under the effects of the
sun rises during the day becomes con-
deused and remains near the earth at night.
Under the effect of heat and fatigue the
system at night is least able 10 resist the de-
pressing influence of dampness and Tapo-
rons air. and therefore the body, if exposed
to if. should be protected by additional
clothing, or by exercise.
THE fact that no chill is felt and that the
skin is uncomfortable with perSpiration fur
nishes no evidence that we are not unduly
exposing ourselves. On the contrary, the
seeds of many chronic and fatal diseases are
laid while the system is IN that state OF lassl-
tude and repose produced by hot day, and
while we are engaged in that seductive EN-.
ployment of ''tryiDg to keep COOL"
Atthe very time that clothing is burden
we should either protect ourselves by it or
withdraw our skin and lungs from imme-
date contact with damp, sunless, and vapor-
Gus air, which in just the proportion that it
Is grateful to eur sense is destructive to our
health. A notion widely prevails that the
only danger from chlls and fever is incurred
in the country. This is erroneous. Stats.
tics and logic prove it to be SO. Its true
that paved streets, perfect sewerage, and
clean surroundings protec: from chills and
fever. But there are blocks Of elegant houses
in eligible locations in this city where chills
and fever, diptheria, and kindred diseases
prevail, may say, to an alarming extent.
The reasons assigned (and perhaps cor
rectly) are defective sewerage and recently
upturned earth. But these causes operate
unlayorably chiefly in the absence of the sun.
Those who labor during the day in these
sewers and excavations are not exceptional
sufferers from chils and fever, etc. The vic
tins are among those who after sunset re
main near them and expose themselves with
out exercise or sufficient clothing to the ex-
halations therefrom. And the same effects,
though in a less degree, happen to those who
expose themselves anywhere (whether in
city or country after sunset by remaining
stationary on cold stoops, imperfectly clothed
and with systems reduced by heat and
fatigue. The weakest may in the daytime
and by active exercise meet with impunity
the chilly, damp air of marsh if properly
clothed. The strongest may be easily
overcome by far less dangerous air if ii
| is permitted 10 steal upon him in an hour
when his senses and functions are locked in
| state of fatigue and inaction; for while it
seems to cool and refresh, it is really closing
the pores and introducing into the currents
of the system arrangement and poison
And the fact that ill-etfuCts do not shortly
follow the practice of the habit is no evil
dence of the unSoundneSs of my
views. individuals differ in their re.
Operative or resistive power, and the
same individual may to-day with impu.
nifty be exposed to 4 disease to which
if similarly exposed tomorrow he would
succumb. But effects will sooner or later
follow causes. And strength of constitution
OF good condition will not always resist the
effects Of violation of the laws of health
Believing my views to be sound, and that
their adoption will lengthen life and prevent
disease, l send them to you.
| AN OLD PHYSICIAN.
Ne,c York, July 10, 1874.