14 



influence of the electrical sunlight, which imparts to growing vegetation its 

 stored electric energy, and to the atmosphere the qualities which make its 

 elements play so important a part in the maintenance of life. 



Chas. Dennison, A.M., M.D., of Colorado, in his valuable paper on " Devi- 

 talized Air Toxsemia, a Prime Cause of Tuberculosis," says: "The life of the 

 air consists, to a greater extent than has been heretofore recognized, in the 

 molecular mobility of its atoms caused by the sun's influence. The diffus- 

 ibility of the air, its easy and ceaseless motion, due to changes of tempera- 

 ture in different strata, are forces of molecular activity which, under the in- 

 fluence of some electrical or other force yet to be fully understood, probably 

 impart the life-giving principle to the atmosphere. The restraint of this 

 molecular motion, and consequent limitation of vitality, are in direct propor- 

 tion to the deficiency of ventilation. Herein, I conceive, lies the great mis- 

 take of our civilization, i. e., in relation to our mode of living. Here is to be 

 seen the need of education, that this cause of disease may be realized." 



Further he says: "There may be a new principle or ingredient yet to be 

 discovered in the air, which governs the arrangement either of its atoms or 

 molecules, and thus make it respirable. Indeed, we seem to be confronted 

 with the most important inquiry, the answer to which would be of the most 

 inestimable value, namely, what is the relation of atmospheric electricity to 

 the respirability of air? In other words, how does the breathing of air 

 through its oxygen be only partially consumed, make it unfit for again sus- 

 taining life till it is re-electrified or re-vitalized? Or again what, if any, is 

 the inhibitive state of oxygen in the air, especially in once-used air, which 

 renders it non-absorbable or its use nugatory in sustaining life." 



I think it is not presumptuous to say that the preceding analysis to a great 

 extent answers these questions. I repeat with Dr. Dennison, that the lack 

 of proper ventilation and open-air life is the bane of civilization. If the 

 human lungs had plenty of moving air, without draught, and the human 

 race had sufficient good food, with less worry and waste of energy in gain- 

 ing the neaessities of life, there would be such a decrease in the death-rate 

 from consumption or tuberculosis, that within a period of a few years the 

 disease would scarcely be known. 



We must remember the great amount of carboniferous, decaying matter 

 thrown off from the lungs every twenty-four hours. If, for any reason, the 

 lungs are not cleared of this vitiated animal matter, what is the result? 

 They become clogged, and proper electrification of the blood cannot take 

 place. The mass becomes a hot-bed for the generation of tubercular bacilli 

 which appear by the million, as a result, and not as a cause of this scourge 

 of the human race. 



Too much stress can not be laid on the subject of ventilation. In this age 

 all buildings are so constructed as to nearly exclude air; as a consequence 



