Six lectures on the functions of the lungs : and causes, prevention, and cure of pulmonary consumption, asthma, and diseases of the heart : on the laws of life : and on the mode of preserving male and female health to a hundred years : also a treatise on medicated inhalation / by Samuel Sheldon Fitch.

  • Fitch, Samuel Sheldon, 1801-1876
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Six lectures on the functions of the lungs : and causes, prevention, and cure of pulmonary consumption, asthma, and diseases of the heart : on the laws of life : and on the mode of preserving male and female health to a hundred years : also a treatise on medicated inhalation / by Samuel Sheldon Fitch. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    and'.rstand the uses of the lungs ; do this, and they will become as playthings to us. U.3ES ILLUSTRATED. The first example 1 will give you is that of the race-horse. Ask any stable groom upon what depends the value of the race- bor.-,e, and he will tell you, not on the swiftness of his heels, but upon his bottom, his wind, his lungs. Many horses could outrun Eclipse, at one mile, that would be dead on the course long before they could accomplish sixteen miles. This truth was known long before the days of Homer. If any man does not know it, get a broken-winded horse, and endeavor to urge him into speed, and he will soon know. The next example I will mention to you, is the difference in the strength of men and women. We all know that women are weaker than men, but why so I am not aware has ever been explained, nor can it be, except by reference to the uses of the lungs. The lungs of women are one- third smaller than those of men, as an examination of their chests will instantly prove. In those two beautiful remains of Grecian sculpture, the Apollo of Belvidere in Rome, and the Venus of Medicis at Florence, to which pilgrimages are made annually by thousands of admiring observers, this rule holds : the breast of the Apollo measures three, the Venus two. These statues owe theii value to their truth and fidelity to beautiful nature. It is written on the frame of woman, that she can never surpass man in physical strength; she conquers' by her charms ; her lungs are a third smaller than his, consequently her physical strength is always less. Again : observe the difference in the strength of different men. Were you required to select the strongest man of your acquaint- ance, would you select a man with a flat thin chest, long neck, and narrow round stooping shoulders, or would you select a man with a witk .'»■]>, round chest, and broad heavy shoulders. There can be but uiie answer. You would choose the man with large lunjjs, and you would not be disappointed. You would find his strength