14t) A'OTKS AND 



cal philosopher observes, " The air of the country being almost always clear, 

 and its spring strong, we have few consumptions, or diseases of the lungs. ' T 

 " People inclined to be consumptive in England, are often perfectly cured by 

 our fine air ; but if there be ulcers formed they die. The climate grows every 

 day better, as the country is cleared of the woods; and more healthy, as all the 

 people that have lived long here testify. This has even been sensible to me, 

 though I have been but about twelve years in this country ; / ; therefore, doubt 

 not but it tvill, in time, become one of the most agreeable and healthy climates on 

 the face of the earth. As it is at present, I prefer it to the climates of England, 

 and, I believe, most people that have lived any considerable time here, and have 

 returned to England, will confirm this." 



If the climate of New-York was formerly thus mild and healthy, and a con- 

 stant amelioration in its temperature is consequent upon our numerous settle- 

 ments and improvements, as has been maintained by many distinguished writers, 

 to what shall we ascribe the extraordinary mortality occasioned by pulmonary 

 consumption at the present day ? none will deny this disorder to be influenced 

 by climate, and independent of effects arising from particular employments, and 

 modes of living; but we will, perhaps, find the most satisfactory answer to this 

 question, in considering phthisis in its various forms as the offspring rather of 

 increased dissipation, of great imprudence in dress, and of consequent exposure 

 to sudden changes of temperature, than of any peculiarity in our climate and 

 seasons. 



This opinion of the origin of this disease is further confirmed, upon reflecting 

 Upon its nature. Consumption is reckoned, by a practical observer, dr. Hosack, 

 who has devoted a large share of attention to this subject, (Quarterly Reports 

 on the Diseases of New-York,} as being in a great majority of instances in its 

 primary or forming stage, an inflammatory complaint, the effects of cold ; and 

 as yielding to the treatment indicated for the removal of inflammation, when 

 affecting other parts of the chest. 



We have, in many instances, employed blood-letting with the most happy ef- 

 fects, in many cases of incipient phtfiisis, even where strong hereditary predis- 

 position existed. Indeed, we are induced, from some late observations on this 

 subject, to express the opinion, that in the commencement of phthisis, as in perip- 

 neumony, blood-letting is not sufficiently employed, but is two frequently neg- 

 lected until the inflammation has so far extended that suppuration becomes inev- 

 itable. Nor do physicians, in general, appear tp have been sufficiently atten- 

 tive in describing the symptoms characteristic of the first or inflammatory stage 

 of phthisis, and, consequently, have been regardless of that active antiphlogistic 

 treatment which alone can prevent the tuberculous or suppurative stage. Inas- 

 much as suppuration, or a purulent secretion from the lungs necessarily implies 



