The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-11-17
Percentage OF deaths BY phthisis to
total mortality. 0.55,n

percentage OF ueatnS Oy phthiSfS to
total mortality, 0.55."
Dr.Jones asserts "that the mortal.
ity IRON phthisis is great in families
that have lived in Florida for genes
rations." The writer did not insti.
tute personal investigation. or
correspond with our leading phvsi.
clans, and as 10 State mortnarv re-
ports have been published, the ques-
tiou arises, from what source did he
obtain his Information A state
ment OF this kind requires side eyi.
dence in the way of statistics, mortn.
AIRY reports or reliable Information
not mere assertion, based on precon.
ceived opinions. My observations
and enquiries led meto the opposite
conclusion, but being 10th to eA-
press positive opinion in opposi-
tion to that of all eminent member
of the profession, I addressed cir
cular letter to leading physicians in
various portions of this State, and
shall give a few queries propounded
and the answers received.
QUERY.-How long have you
practiced medicine i'll this State ?
ANswERs.-2S years. % years.
% years. "a years. A.25 years. II
years. 7years. 80 years. 36 years.
% years. 2l years. 80 years. 2l
years. AZ years. 5 5years. 40 years.
30 years.
QUERY.-Have you noticed any
tendency to the hereditary trans.
missions OF phthisis in families that
have resided for generations in this
State
ANsWERs.-None. None of a
marked character. Hardly an in.
stance; SO seldom Ito make IT an
exception. No. No. None. In
one family for three generations
members died of phthtsis the pre-.
sent members OF, the fatjly are quite
healthy, madI 81. - Fses !
hereditaryl. acy isFemoved. In
one instance only Mot more so
than in other STATES. Lhave no re.
collection OF any case. #Seldom de-
veloped, and when it occurs, milder
and more favorable thal in North
ern and Western States. In some
rare instances. Not more SO than
in other families Hewdiiary taint
dies out. Know families here born
OF consumptiye parents, who have
passed the meridian OF hte and ex-
hibit no signs Of pulmonary disease.
In opposition to the assertion, we
have the positive statements OF edu-
Gated, experienced and reliable medi-
cal gentltmen-who are competent
to form intelligent and unbiased
opinions, and whose aggregate ex.
perience in the profession covers 433
years, or an average OF over twenty
five years.
To determine the question OF trans
instability of phthisls in this State,
IN families predisposed to this dis
ease, l propounded the following
queries
QUERY.-Do you know any per-
SONS who are residents of this State,
who came here suffering from phthi-
sis, and who have had children since
they became residents ?
ANsW ERs.-Yes. I do. Yes,
more than a dozen. Several. Seve-
raj. Yes. Yes. Yes. do. Yes.
A number. Yes. Yes. Quite a
number. There are many to my
knowledge Yes.
QUERY.-Have you noticed any
disposition among children Of such
parents to manifest any hereditary
tendency to phthisis ?
ANswERs.-No, have not. Not
in any case. No. None. None.
No. No. No. I have not their
children are as healthy as any l have
seen in any part of this country. In
two instances only. No; children
of such persons are healthy. No.
Have noticed no such tendency in
such C ildren. No. Very intre-
quent. NoEc.
Ito be continuedl