Copy 1, Volume 2

The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good].

  • John Mason Good
Date:
1834
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    519/704 (page 511)
    a Ca CL. 111.] SANGUINEOUS FUNCTION. refitting. * ~ Hence, the most frequent examples of consumption are to be found in countries, which are most subject to changes of temper- ature. In Great Britain, it is calculated, that this disease carries off usually about one fourth of its inhabitants; at Paris, about one fifth ; and at Vienna, one sixth: while it is by no means common in Russia, and still less so in the West Indies; for it is checked in poth regions by the greater uniformity of the atmosphere, whether hotter or colder.+ It is a singular fact, and not well accounted for, that of all places, which have hitherto been compared, the roportional mortality from consumption appears to have been the greatest at Bristol; and this, not among its occasional visiters, but rience, this very place has been chosen as the great resort of con- sumptive persons.{ Nor does its mineral water seem entitled to any higher compliment, than its atmosphere. Dr. Beddoes affirms, in direct terms, that it is of no manner of use.§ Heat, when above the range of health and entony, is often found rapidly. Bnt of its power of action, we have a clear proof in the greater frequency and fatality of consumption among the native ropeans, who have just been inured to the climate, and have, for a less period of time, been under the influence of its relaxing agency. “ We know at least,” observes Dr. Alison, “ that a great majority of the inhabitants of these climates, both negroes and perate climates, and even suffer from it, in some instances, in their own, where Europeans are nearly free from it. I was favoured by Dr. Fergusson, lately inspector of hospitals in the Windward and Leeward Islands, with a perusal of the report of the deaths and chief diseases occurring in the army in these colonies, in each quar- ter, from March 1816, till March 1817, distinguishing the deaths among the white and black troops.” || According to these reports, the average strength of the army, for the entire year, consisted of seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven whites, and five thousand seven hundred and seventy-two blacks: out of which there died of fever, whites, one in 15:3; blacks, one in 151°8: of dysentery, whites, one in 21-4; blacks, one in 58:9: but of pul- * Trotter’s Medicina Nautica, vol. iii. p. 325. While Laennec partly admits the truth of the statement respecting the effects of vicissitudes of temperature, he observes, that too light clothing, and the impression of cold, when the body is heated, much more frequently give rise to severe catarrhs, peripneumonies, and pleurisies, which are not followed by the tubercular disease; so that he concludes, ‘that phthisis, when it follows these complaints, has been merely accelerated by them, the tubercles having previously existed. In opposition to Dr. Trotter’s account, Laennec says, that most naval surgeons whom he has conversed with, inform him, that they had scarcely ever known a man become phthisical in the course of a long voyage, and that they had frequently seen sailors, who had pul- monary complaints at the time of putting to sea, return benefited or cured. Op. cit., p. 352. — Ep. + Woolcombe (Dr. W.), Remarks on the Frequency and Fatality of Diseases, 8vo. Lond. 1808. Southey (Dr. H. H.), Observations on Pulmonary Con- sumption. 8vo. Lond. 1814. ¢ Young, ut supra, p. 42. § Manual of Health, &c. 12mo. Lond. 1806. || Trans. Medico-Chir. Soc. Edin., vol. i. p. 397. Mortality in Great Britain from this cause. At Paris and Vienna. In places less exposed to its Consumption most frequent at Bristol ; not merely among occasional visiters, but permanent in- habitants. Extreme and habitual heat a Illustrated. West Indies.