THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 211 



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, etc. — would 

 undoubtedly be benefited by a temporary Cave 

 residence. But loractieaUy 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 influ- 

 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- 



