Dr. Fothergill on the practice of sleeping on the wet ground. 211 
tense heat of the day, yet, for reasons assigned, much caution is re- 
quired. The example of the healthy and robust ought by no means 
to encourage the delicate and valetudinary to indulge indolence at the 
_ expense of their welfare, in sitting till a late hour. Have not such 
persons too often cause to regret the effects of their temerity? The’ 
evening air till about sun set, or an hour after, might surely be enjoy- 
ed with equal advantage, and more safety, were walking, riding, or 
other gentle exercise a instead of the present mactive, sedenta- 
-ty habit. . 
From a series of obeervations: in this variable climate, I find by 
the thermometer that, during the summer months, the temperature of 
the external atmosphere from four o’clock in the afternoon till ten in 
the « evening commonly undergoes a diminution from twelve to six- 
teen degrees. But ona sudden storm from the north east, accompan- 
ied with heavy rain, the mercury in the course of a few hours some- 
times undergoes a still more surprising depression; of twenty five to 
thirty five degrees. Yet regardless of these sudden transitions, fash- 
ionable young people disdain to appear in warmer clothing. Ladies 
though valetudinary resolve to-continue their elegant summer dress, 
or rather undress to the verge of winter. How many blooming fe- 
males thus sacrifice health, beauty, and life itself, at. the shrine of 
fashion ! 
Can we wonder at the frequency and fatality of pulmonic diseases, 
or that consumption alone, should constitute more than one fifth of 
the deaths, which appear in the annual bills of mortality ? 
It is very observable among young persons, especially those of a 
delicate constitution and sprightly disposition, that when they are con- 
scious of having thus contracted an obstinate complaint through their’ 
own indiscretion, they studiously ascribe it to eS ee 
than the rigit one ;- particularly if the latter be of. the fashionable, 
