224 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Prof. Hildretli — Decomposed vegetable matter has not such 

 fatal influence as the animal, on our health. 



Prof. Nash of Vermont — All organic matter dissolved in air is 

 more or less hazardous to man. We know that a room covered 

 with colored paper hanging, green paint, which nearly killed the 

 tenant before he discovered what the cause was. Prof. Johnson 

 ascribes to some undiscovered poisonous material in the air, many 

 dangerous effects to health. 



Prof. Hildreth — Yes; arsenic volatilized is to be found in the 

 city atmosphere; gases, volatile ammonia, ii:c. And it is known 

 that one effect of decomposed animal matter, taken into the human 

 lungs, tends to injury to the blood. 



Prof. Nash — It may be asked, how much life is destroyed, too, 

 by carbonic acid gas, in such repeated though small doses as are 

 often found in city air ? 



Prof. Hildreth — These causes operate so as to render life shorter 

 by at least ten years. We should mention among the impurities 

 of air, sulphurated hydrogen gas. The carbonic oxide escapes 

 from our sewers, and enters air. 



Prof. Mapes spoke with his wonted ability, scientifically on 

 this question; but we prefer his own words to our cwn, and he is 

 too busy to write them for us. 



Solon Robinson — How high should a bed be above the floor, to 

 have the best air a room admits "? 



Prof. Mapes — Reasonable height. Certainly not on or near the 

 floor, nor the ceiling. The air of the mountain is good for us. 

 The Mexicans, occupying a land some six thousand feet higher 

 above the sea than New- York, are remarkable for having large 

 chests, (thorax,) like birds; there is no (consumption there ! The 

 fish bladdsr there is larger than nearer the ocean level. He adverted 

 to the fever and ague here, saying, that when he was young, it 

 prevailed just above Leonard street. 



Prof. Hildreth — Boston disposes of her city garbage and filth 

 far more cleverly tlian we do here. The collections are all taken 

 from the rears of buildings, punctually. Americans generally 

 have too flat chests. Other nations have larger. Consumption 

 demands more study than it has ever received. I consider it to 



