444 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



inference in the most unmistakable manner. I select a few examples 

 in reference to the tuberculous diathesis, at once the most prevalent, 

 the most liable to be transmitted, and, according to the prevailing 

 opinion, the least amenable to preventive measures. 



A quite old and widely known physician makes this statement : 

 " My father and mother were cousins. Father had haemoptysis at 

 twenty-eight, and was supposed dying of consumption, but recovered, 

 and died in his sixty-seventh year of cancer of the stomach. He had 

 cicatrices in his lungs. Mother died of phthisis late in life, having 

 given birth to six children. These are all alive. No consumption in 

 any of them, nor in twenty-seven grandchildren and fourteen great- 

 grandchildren." 



Another highly reputable physician writes : " On maternal side 

 evident tendency to tuberculosis. My only brother I had no sister 

 died of phthisis, aged twenty-six. I had haemoptysis, with cough, 

 repeatedly, between the ages of twenty-two and thirty-five. Wife 

 healthy, and gave birth to five children ages between thirty and forty- 

 eight. None of them, nor eight grandchildren, have exhibited any 

 signs of pulmonary consumption." 



Another writes : " Consumption on father's side, having lost one 

 if not two sisters by the disease. Mother died of it in her forty-third 

 year. Six children were born to them all alive and healthy, the 

 youngest past his fiftieth year. They are all free from any signs of 

 tuberculosis, as are also thirty-one grandchildren and eleven great- 

 grandchildren." 



Yet another writes : " Father died of paralysis, mother of con- 

 sumption ; also one of her brothers. Grandmother also died of what 

 is presumed to have been the same disease. Of seven children, vary- 

 ing from forty to sixty, none have shown any pulmonary disease." 



These statements are made by physicians well known for their 

 interest in sanitary science. Through their knowledge and influence, 

 they and their kin have been able to take a wise advantage of the 

 power of reversion. As there are hundreds of thousands throughout 

 the land who have this fearful taint in their blood, a knowledge of the 

 true conditions for its renovation becomes of great importance. It is 

 not within the scope of this paper to enter upon details, but this much 

 may be said, that intelligent and unwavering hygienic observances all 

 through life, but especially from birth to adolescence, constitute the 

 cardinal requisites. Not the hygiene, however, taught in almanacs, in 

 gossipy newspapers, or by itinerant sensational lecturers, but by the 

 most accomplished scientists. A thorough mastery of its principles 

 and details, so as to secure a correct application of them at the va- 

 rious periods, emergencies, and contingencies of life, is absolutely neces- 

 sary. In short, those with an unfortunate inheritance like those 

 suffering from an attack of disease need the knowledge of an expert to 

 enable them to take a wise and full advantage of the principle of re- 



