148 DEATH FROM LUXG DISEASE. 



from lung disease, thoughtless of the fact that a little dust in 

 sight, and perhaps on the shoes, is of much less significance 

 than dust in the air we breathe. No one likes dust on the 

 floor, but better a thousand times there than in our lungs. 



Statistics seem to show that one-seventh of the deaths 

 among the civilized races are due to lung diseases. The best 

 authorities are now agreed that consumption is not hereditary. 

 But it appears that there may be inherited a tendency to this 

 disease, so that, if exposed, such persons are more likely to 

 contract the disease than those not so predisposed. 



Probably anything that lowers the general vitality makes 

 the system more ready to succumb to any of these contagious 

 diseases. We have all noticed what a difference there is 

 among individuals in the readiness with which they " catch " 

 contagious diseases. 



It is believed by some physiologists that the colorless 

 blood corpuscles may take these germs of disease into their 

 substance, and destroy or change them so that the disease is 

 warded off. In other words, they may be compared to a cat 

 that catches and eats the mice which invade a house. 



A good general condition of the body helps greatly to ward 

 off diseases of this nature. A cheerful condition of mind and 

 body should be cultivated. In times of widespread contagious 

 disease, if one is terrified into the belief that he is going to 

 have the disease, he is more likely to get it. 



Thorough cleanliness, plenty of direct sunshine, care in 

 diet, and the keeping of the body in good tone, all the&e re- 

 duce the chances of "taking" contagious diseases. 



An open-air life, abundant nutritious food, freedom from 

 anxiety, are probably the best restoratives for incipient eon- 

 sumption. The Wilderness Cure is a very interesting book, 

 by Marc Cook (published by Harpers). 



Besides the disease-producing bacteria, there are others 



