TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 



837 



Measurements — contimied. 



6. The Scientific Prevention of Consumption} 

 By Gr. W. Hambleton. 



We are so familiar with consumption, it has, indeed, become so much a part 

 and parcel of our daily life, that few only are aware of the number of its victims or 

 the amount of suffering and misery it entails. To many it will be a painful surprise 

 to learn that nearly 70,000 deaths are recorded, and that there are some 200,000 

 persons suffering from it in Great Britain during the course of a year. Yet, not- 

 withstanding its practically unchanging rate of mortality, consumption is recognised 

 as a preventable disease, and the evidence that demonstrates this is complete and 

 conclusive. The lungs of persons who have died from some other disease are fre- 

 quently found to contain the remains of an attack of consumption, that has been 

 overcome. In some there is no previous history of the symptoms or signs of that 

 attack, but in others such a history has, in their youth, been clearly obtained. 

 Sheffield grinders, those following sedentary occupations, and members of consump- 

 tive families, presenting the signs and symptoms of the disease, have been known, 

 on obtaining a complete change of surroundings and residence to completely 

 Tecover. 



As the result of my experimental investigation on the aetiology of consumption, 

 I have shown that the disease is due to those conditions that reduce the breathing 

 surface of the lungs below a certain point in proportion to the rest of the body. 



' This measurement cannot be taken, from imperfection of the alveoli. 



'' Published, with diagrams, by J. & A. Churchill, 11 New Burlington Street, W. 



