302 APPENDIX. 



tracted, or puckered. Within was observed a rounded 

 white mass, about an inch in diameter, composed of lit- 

 tle grains of a cartilaginous firmness : this was obvious- 

 ly a cicatrized [healed] abscess, and in its centre were 

 two or three crude tubercles, [the commencement of 

 suppurative ulcers.] The remainder of the lung was 

 perfectly healthy. 



"The right lung, like the left, adhered at the apex, 

 where the pleura was also deeply sunk, and puckered ; 

 beneath one of these plications was the remains of an 

 old, but very small abscess, half filled with granular mat- 

 ter, like that in the other lung, excepting that it was of 

 a darker color ; the remainder of the abscess was in a 

 suppurative state, and contained yellow matter. Close 

 by were the evidences of a second cavity, of the size of 

 a filbert, but perfectly filled, and consolidated by white 

 granular matter, precisely like that of the left lung. The 

 other parts were healthy. 



" The unexpected morbid appearances of the lungs," 

 says Dr. Morton, " induced me to inquire into the pre- 

 vious history of the patient, when I was informed by a 

 near relative, that in early life she had habituated herself 

 to excessive tight lacing ; but although she had never ex- 

 perienced any obvious ill effects from this practice, she 

 had of lateryears discontinued the practice, from a con- 

 viction of its injurious tendency." 



" It seems probable, therefore," he continues, " all cir- 

 cumstances considered, that the lungs became tubercu- 

 lous and cavernous from the irritation of mechanical 

 pressure ; but on the latter being removed the morbid 

 secretion ceased, and the cavities became cicatrized and 

 obliterated in the manner just mentioned. Can there be 

 a doubt that if this lady had persisted in the unnatural 

 confinement of her respiratory organs, the tuberculous 

 disease would have extended, the abscesses enlarged, and 

 the disease become a fatal malady ? The predisposition 

 to puthisis [consumption] being slight, it was suspended 

 by the removal of the exciting mechanical cause ; show- 

 ing what important results physical education may pro- 

 duce on the human frame.*" 



* Illustrations of Consumption, by Samuel George Morton. M. D., 

 &c. &c. pp. 99. Key & Biddle, Philadelphia, 1834. 



