65 



underclothing. It should fit loosely and in no way interfere 

 with the free movements of limbs or chest. Sudden change 

 of temperature must be guarded against. 



Diet should be plain and nutritious, with a large quantity 

 of milk and fatty food if possible. The meals should be 

 taken at regular intervals. 



Alcohol should be avoided as a general rule, in fact it 

 ought not to be taken unless under the direction of the 

 physician. It must always be remembered that intemperance 

 increases the predisposition by lowering the disease resisting 

 power of the constitution. 



Where possible, it is well to choose a healthy site for one's 

 residence. Those who are predisposed should especially be 

 careful that the house is built on a porous soil or is well 

 drained. Damp clay, retentive soils are risky unless well 

 drained. 



The air round about should be pure and have free move- 

 ment. It is also important that there should be plenty of 

 sunlight, but how many people try in every possible way 

 to block out the sun by verandahs overhung with creepers, 

 trees, etc.? 



The height above the sea level is of great importance. 

 Not only do we get purer air the higher we get up, but the 

 respirations become deeper in the high altitudes. Height 

 above sea level has a marked effect upon the disease phthisis, 

 as by the following death rates in Baden and Switzerland* : — 



Per 10,000 Deaths. 

 Feet over Sea. Baden. Switzerland. Medium. 



Less than 1,600 1,040 



1,600 to 2,700 830 



2,700 to 3,200 750 



Over 3,200 860 



As already pointed out, a moist, damp atmosphere is a pre- 

 disposing agent, and most seaboard towns are unsuitable. 

 The Medical Congress, already mentioned, adopted the follow- 

 ing resolution, which bears out this statement : — ** That this 

 Congress expresses the opinion that it is unwise and cruel to 

 recommend advanced cases of phthisis to seek Australasia as 

 a health resort ; that, whilst there are many places in the 

 different colonies of great climatic value in the earlier and 

 curable stages, the coastal regions generally are to be regarded 

 as unsuitable for almost all stages. 



A dry air, with pbnty of sunshine, even if the tempera- 

 ture is low, seems most suited provided always the diurnal 

 range of temperature is not too great. 



* Mulhall Dictionary of .Statistics. 



