PREVENTION OF DISEASE IN THE LUNGS. 205 



good, if sufficiently persisted in, and go far to pro- 

 tect the careful patient against the future invasion 

 of consumption. Whereas, if, under the mistaken 

 notion that such precautionary measures are a waste 

 of time, a delicate growing youth is allowed to con- 

 tinue at his studies or his desk till disease has actu- 

 ally commenced, the disappointed parent will often 

 discover that it is too late to take alarm when health 

 ' s gone. 



It is at the approach of manhood, when both 

 mind and body are in a state of transition, that dis- 

 sipatipn is most indulged in, and presses with its 

 deadliest force. Many delicate youths of both 

 sexes are carried off, who would have escaped with- 

 out injury, if they could have been persuaded to act 

 with prudence during these two or three critical 

 years. Many, I am constrained to say, first learn 

 the means of their destruction in boarding-schools 

 and places of public resort, and that often when no 

 mischief is suspected by their respectable teachers. 

 On this topic, however, the non-professional char- 

 acter of the present work precludes me from enter- 

 ing into details. 



Before quitting this important subject, I may add 

 another word of advice, in regard to those who are 

 predisposed to consumption or weakness of chest. 

 As soon as active growth commences, permanent 

 benefit may be derived from removal, for a few 

 years, to a milder and less variable climate. Many 

 who are sent abroad only to die painfully in a foreign 

 land, in the noonday of life, might have lived for 

 years in the enjoyment of health and usefulness, 

 had they been sent abroad before the appearance of 

 disease, instead of after its unequivocal commence- 

 ment. The previous delicacy, whence the suscep- 

 tibility to colds and pulmonary affections arises, 

 ought to attract the earliest attention, and excite 

 the most persevering efforts for its removal. If it 

 be allowed to make progress till consumption has 

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