425 



('(iiiinsis n1i(iii1("( I)(' Idokt'd updii ;is ;i reaction to an abuonnal eiiviroii- 

 iiicnt, ratluT than as a disease.^ It manifests itself by a variety of symp- 

 tiiiiis all more or less luodiliable by the use of drugs, mainly l)y masking 

 tliem. Althongli incnialile it is readily preventable. 



Coniosis is most iirt^alent during the closed door season when clean 

 or pure air is at a mininmm. It may occur in epidemic form in winter, 

 at times of a thaw wlien sidewalk filth is tracked indoors and pulverized 

 under foot, as by slio])iiers. It may also occur in epidemic form at times 

 of high winds, when street tilth is blown about, as on the approach of 

 spring, when nearly evei\vbody complains more or less — and many think 

 they need a "spring tonic." 



Coniosis is prevalent among people in all walks of life. Among poor 

 people to whom life means a constant struggle for existence there is an 

 earlj' and constant weeding out on account of the appearance of well- 

 detined di.seases that kill. Among the well-to-do many reach old age be- 

 cause they are careful but there is more or less constant complaint of ill 

 health. Coniosis is not incompatible with long life, that is in those wlio 

 are prudent. The attitude of the poor man. and of those who are heed- 

 less, is shown by the old observation of Plato : 



"When a carpenter is ill . . . he expects to receive a draught from 

 Ids doctor, that will expel the disease by vomiting or purging, or else to 

 get rid of it by cauterizing, or a surgical operation ; but if any one were 

 to ])resci'il)e to him a long course of diet, and to order bandages for his 

 head, with other treatment to correspond, he would soon tell such a med- 

 ical advi-ser tliat he had no time to be ill, and that it was not worth his 

 while to live in this way, devoting his mind to liis malady, and neglecting 

 Ins proper occupation : and then wishing the physician a good morning, 

 he would enter upon his usual course of life, and either regain his health 

 and live in the performance of his business; or, should his constitution 

 pro^•e unable to bear up, death puts an end to his troubles." 



What the carpenter needs, what the workman needs, is a knowledge of 

 the influence of environment, and a knowledge of the limitations of the 

 physician in curing ill health and diseases. Much ill health is incurable 



1 The term disease is really an olxiectionable one because many people at once 

 think of a "cure." The patent medicine man lieeps alive the old belief that there 

 is a cure for every disease. To simple people all things are simple. As a matter 

 of fact the "diseases" of the patent medicine man are mostly symptoms. Many 

 people still have an idea that a disease can be "knocked out" or "killed." 



