=. —— 
396 Beck on Salt Storms, ¢:-c. 
Such are some of the facts on this subject; but the conclu- 
sion does not appear to be warranted, that these pulmonary 
affections arise from the irritating quality of the air. In Hol- 
land, the West Indies, as well as in other countries and islands, 
exposed to the sea air, consumption is of rare occurrence. - In 
Syria, Volney even states that the air of the coast is particu- 
larly favorable to those laboring under this malady. _Ac- 
cordingly they are in the habit of sending such patients from 
Aleppo to Latakia, or Saide, where they may enjoy the benefit 
of sea air.* 
Again, we know that many persons suffering from this affec- 
tion have been completely cured by a voyage, after all the 
resources of medicine had been exhausted upon them in vain. 
{tis evident then, that a pure sea air is not detrimental in 
cases of consumption. Dr. Rush, with his usual ingenuity, ex- 
plains the prevalence of this complaint in our sea ports, by at- 
tributing it to the mixture of land and sea air ; and in confir- 
mation observes, that “ those situations which are in the neigh- 
borhood of bays and rivers, where the fresh and salt waters 
mix their streams together, are more unfavorable to consump- 
. tive patients than the seashore, and therefore should be more 
carefully avoided by them in exchanging city for country air.”’| 
Independently, however. of these causes, I think the fre- 
quent and sudden vicissitudes of temperature, which we suffer 
on the coast, are alone sufficient to account for the prevalence 
of catarrhal and pneumonic affections, which most commonly 
are the precursors of consumption. 
— T trust the foregoing observations have not been considered 
too medical to comport with the objects of this Society. Na- 
tural history is useful only in its practical applications; and if 
it can be shown to throw any light upon an art, which contri- 
butes so much to the comfort and happiness of man, we have 
established one of the strongest considerations, which can Te- 
commend it to general patronage and investigation. Physicians 
ought in an especial manner to set a high value upon the 
"researches of naturalists. The aid they have already given 
* Volney’s Travels, Vol. I. p. 226 
t Rush’s Observations and Inquiries, Vol, Li. py 133. 
