435 



What tiik Theory of Comosis Explains. — In tlie light of present data 

 the following statements seem .iustitied: 



Coniosis explains many cases of common ill health, cases that can not 

 be definitely diagnosed as disease, cases about which differences of opinion 

 among doctors are proverbial. 



It explains the prevalence of our "Triad of National Diseases" — ^ca- 

 tarrh, dyspepsia and nervous prostration. 



It explains why much of the "prevalent ill health" is incurable, but 

 preventable. 



It explains why there is a seemingly endless succession of nostrums 

 advertised in the newspapers and medical journals; all may have some 

 merit in palliating symptoms — but as to curing that is another question. 



It explains the prevalence of patent medicine advertisements and 

 their seasonal variation. 



It explains why our nation is a land of fads in medicine and quack 

 remedies (mainly because we tolerate the chewer and spitter). 



It largely explains the discrepancy of opinion between city and country 

 doctors regarding typical and atypical cases. 



It explains the ordinary ills of the school child and the seasonal 

 prevalence of some specific diseases. 



It explains the "degeneration" of school children and the supposed 

 influence of "overwork." (I'sually there is an overworking of the de- 

 fences of the body.) 



It largely explains why poor people who nuist work under crowded 

 conditions perish prematurely and why old chronics able to take care of 

 themselves live on indefinitely. 



It explains why many foreigners fail in our cities, some physically, 

 others mentally. (Innnigrants not adapted to city life should be encour- 

 aged to settle in the country and not in cities and certainly not in slums.) 



It explains the prevalence of tuberculosis in low pressure individuals 

 and of heart and kidney diseases in high pressure individuals. 



Coniosis gives a clew to the chronic ill health of men and women 

 whose biographies are full of references to ill health. 



It puts a new interpretation on the old saying, Acquire an incurable 

 disease and live long. 



It teaches us to make sharp distinctions (or attempt to do so) be- 

 tween symptoms or ill health and real diseases. 



