CONSUMPTION. 145 



their origin in the lower and back part of the brain, 

 at its junction with the spinal cord, and the pressure 

 results in more or less degeneration of these nerves, 

 and a corresponding loss of lung power. The power of 

 respiration is lessened, oxydation is lessened, nutriti- 

 tion is lessened, uric acid, lactic acid and other irri- 

 tants already mentioned are increased, and degenera- 

 tion of the lung tissue is a natural result. 



A tree cannot live without roots. The hand cannot 

 live with a constricting band about the arm. An organ 

 cannot live with its nerve supply pressed upon by 

 tumors or inflammatory swellings. Degeneration will 

 follow and the organs supplied by such nerves will 

 suffer in proportion. 



Dr. Mays says that poison and irritation from syph- 

 ilis, mercury and lead produces degeneration of many 

 nerves including those which supply the lungs, and 

 consumption is the most frequent termination. He 

 records many cases of consumption caused by mercurial 

 poisoning. Page seventy-nine, "seventy-one per cent 

 of those who work in mercury mines or those exposed 

 to mercury fumes die of consumption." "Consump- 

 tion is a common inheritance of those engaged in mer- 

 cury manufacture." Page eighty-four, "Consumption 

 is from two to three times more prevalent among lead 

 workers than among others living in the same locality." 



Lead and mercury are eliminated from the system 

 slowly, hence their greater liability to accumulate and 

 produce irritation and inflammation. Doctor Mays 

 states that if recovery is not complete consumption is 

 most apt to follow typhoid fever, whooping cough, 

 10 



