230 surgeons' reports— CONNECTICUT SECOND DISTRICT. 



in mauufacturing to a considerable extent. Some towns, such as Guilford, witli a population of 

 three thousand, and Saybrook, lying upon Long Island Sound, sustain commercial relations with 

 New York City and the coastwi.se trade. 



The climate of the district is variable, sudden changes taking place in all seasons of the year, 

 and, from its proximity to Long Island Sound, is milder thau the northern parts of the State, but, 

 having a large extent of sea-coast, is subject to more humidity and chilly dampness of atmosphere 

 thau the inland districts. 



The prevalent diseases in the district are phthisis, pneumonia, bronchitis, typhoid fever, dysen 

 tei'y, diphtheria, scarlatina, and cholera infantum. • * * 



/T?he causes of the prevalent diseases are cold and variable climate; humidity of atmosphere, 

 from proximity to salt-water; living in close and ill-ventilated apartments.or dwellings; squalidity; 

 imprudent habits and accidents of dress, (especially of females, the germs of disease being entailed 

 upon children thereby;) coufiuement of industrial pursuits; intemperate use of intoxicating drinks; 

 insufficiency of healthy food ; illicit commerce of sexes ; sexual excesses ; self-abuse, &c. 



So far as the character, modes of life, and occupations of the peojjle are not indicated above, it 

 may be said to run through the whole circle of civilized human occupation or want of occupation. 

 Professional, literary, mechanical, mercantile, agricultural, horticultural, Ashing, mining, marine, 

 and sea-faring pursuits ; sporting and idleness; with husbandry, manufactures, merchandising, and 

 the various trades, form the chief occupations of the district. 



Pulmonary diseases, acute and chronic, have exempted more men from military service in this 

 district than any of the causes of exemption embraced in the list of disqualifying diseases and 

 infirmities as issued from the War Department. * * * 



Among the causes of jjrevailing disease, are all those which tend to debilitate, to lessen the 

 energies of tlie system, and to impoverish the blood. There may be noted, also, as somewhat 

 peculiar to the New England sea-coast, variable weather, great and sudden changes of temperature, 

 attended oftentimes by cijill humidity of atmosphere. These changes cannot be, or are not, prop- 

 erly g-uarded against; hence, suppressed secretions and deranged circulation, acting upon the 

 organs of respiration. The effect may be latent for a while, but, in lapse of time, by frequent repe- 

 tition of such disturbing action, results become more marked, and the disease, thus generated or 

 induced by slow process, develops its full symptoms. Again may be noted injurious occupations, 

 more largely operative in New England, such as mucl) of manufacturing and many mechanical 

 industries, causing excesssive confinement; sedentary habits, preventing proper exercise. Often- 

 times the rooms are filled with dust fi'om the work, and sometimes with the most irritating kind of 

 dust, as where mineral and metallic substances undergo the process of dry-grinding upon stone or 

 emery. The peculiar occupations of many females, sedentary in their character, with insufficient 

 exercise and good air to promote muscular vigor and nourishment ot the body; the want of occu- 

 pation of other females, who pass their time in delicate in-door idleness or so-called gentility — what 

 but a diseased physique can females of either class give to their offspring?- A farmer, wishing to 

 grow good grain, plants and sows the best seed he cau obtain upon the best soil. To raise good 

 cattle or horses, the best breeds, male and female, are in requisition ; while the puny and the sickly 

 animals are otherwise disposed of. But, in umrriage, this good sense is laid aside, and the delicate 

 and wealthy females are sought too often merely because they are delicate and wealthy ; hence 

 children are born diseased, or predisposed to disease, and consumption terminates their existence. 



Youths are sometimes encouraged too early to do the work of men. Their muscular energy is 

 overtaxed ; their physical constitutions impaired ; and they become subjects for military exemption. 

 Another cause, which affects indirectly the health of this district and of New England generally, 

 is the emigration to other States. Emigrants of New England birth and education are found scat- 

 tered in all parts of the country, aiul are among the most vigorous and thriviiig- residents of the 

 communities where they are settled. * * * 



While such has been the class of emigrants from these older States, all the delicate, the puny. 

 and the invalid have remained behind, deteriorating the aggregate health of the parent community. 



It is true that this emigration has been greater in former periods than during the last decade ; 

 but the effect remains, and is still operative, while emigratiou of the same class of citizens still 

 continues in less degree. » » # 



