THE MAMMOTH CAVE. valle | 
eminent advantages; for nowhere else have we 
these conditions combined. Hence it may be 
inferred that brain affections—abnormal excite-. 
ment of the brain, incipient insanity, ete.—would 
undoubtedly be benefited by a temporary Cave 
residence. But practically we cannot assign any 
sanative virtues to a residence in the Cave. Too 
many conditions are absent that are necessary 
for the comfort and happiness of the patient. 
Dr. Wright remarks: “The only condition in 
which risk is incurred is during the menstrual 
period. Serious, and even fatal, results have 
been the consequence of inattention to this fact.” 
No reason is assigned for this assertion, and we 
are unable to conjecture any; on the contrary, 
one or two instances have come under our notice 
where no bad effects resulted. 
It is surprising how rapidly the quieting inftu- 
ence is felt in the Cave, it being indicated by 
pallor of the cheeks, yawning, and an almost 
irresistible tendency to sleep. Upon the first 
visit to the Cave this disposition is not so 
strongly manifested, for the reason that the 
attention is so constantly attracted by the 
novelty of the situation, and the ever-changing 
and extraordinary sights. This tendency to 
sleep is not due to any impurity of the atmos- 
