for obtaining mi equal Temperature in Houses, 65 



nied that it would be found very difficult to induce con- 

 sumptively-inclined patients to tbrgo the pleasure of out- 

 door exercise, and submit to such a confining regimen. 

 But it has long struck me, that means might be devised to 

 enable this numerous class, who purchase every sunny 

 walk innvinter with the risk of their existence, to enjoy 

 their present liberty with far less danger. It is well known, 

 that the great source oF harm to persons with tender lungs 

 is the sudden and great changes of temperature, especially 

 i\oi\\ cold to IieLitf which no one who stirs out in an Eng- 

 lish winter can well avoid. The succession of a cold frosty 

 air to the hot temperature induced by a large fire and tea; 

 then perhaps a walk on the sunny side of a street, ex- 

 changed for the piercing cold of the shaded and exposed 

 side ; and the whole ended by entering into a hot room, 

 and rushing to a large fire, where the irritability, or whatever 

 we call it, of the botly is extraordinarily condensed : — sucli 

 is the succession which thousands are every winter repeat- 

 edly exposing themselves to : And can we wonder at the 

 result to those who are of a consumptive habit? But how 

 to avoid these changes and yet stir from home is the ques- 

 tion. In one way this may be certainly effected : — by the 

 application of a handkerchief to the mouth and nose, so as 

 to prevent the air from ever passing into the lungs when in 

 its coldest state, much of the danger of short excursions 

 in the, open air maybe prevented. Of, this fact I have 

 had ocular demonstration in the case of a friend, who, 

 before his adoption of this plan, had constant and severe 

 colds through every winter, but, smce he pursued it, has 

 been nearlv if not altogether free frgm them. And this 

 gentleman is now able comfortably to accept winter invita- 

 tions, which formerly he was under the necessity of de- 

 clining, or of looking forward to with horror. 



But would it noi be practicable to invent a substitute for 

 the pocket-handkerchief, which it is tiresome to hold, and 

 too closely confines the breath ? Might not a kind of mask 

 consisting of a frame, which should closely apply to the 

 lower part of the face, covered with three or four thick- 

 nesses of gauze, be very advantageously employed for the 

 same end ? Such a veil would, I conceive, constantly keep 

 the lungs in an atmosphere never much below sixty, while 

 the interstices of the gauze would readilv admit of the re- 

 quisite quantity of uir, which, thus gradually mixed with 

 the interior warmer mass, could never, even in the coldest 

 weather, cool the membrane of the lungs so as to make it 

 dangerous to come into a warm roora^ or approach a fire. 

 Vol. 35. No. 141. Jc/i. IblO. E The 



