Hay fever, hay asthma and excessive sneezing / by Litton Forbes.

  • Forbes, Litton.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hay fever, hay asthma and excessive sneezing / by Litton Forbes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/64 (page 7)
    mucous merabrane would not of itself be sufficient to induce tlie attack. This, indeed, is a self-evident pro- position, as otherwise every individual exposed to the specific influence ought certainly to contract the disease. As a matter of fact, an exceedingly small number do so contract it. Many persons, such as gardeners and hay- makers, are much exposed to contact with pollen, but almost universally escape. Moreover, it is rarely met with among the working classes in the country, but very generally among men who lead sedentary lives and live in towns. There are, therefore, undoubtedly some predisposing causes wliich induce the attacks, and render some individuals more prone to be affected than others. Among such causes have been suggested race, temperament, education, maimer of life, sex, heredity and age. As regards race, the Anglo- Saxon, in both its Englisli and American branches—that is English, speaking people—are more particularly liable to it. The natives of the north of Europe and those of the south are seldom attacked. According to Sir Morell Mackenzie it is scarcely ever seen, though not absolutely unknown, in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and is also very rare in France, Germany, Eussia, Italy, or Spain. It is said to be comparatively infrequent in Scotland, and more common in the south of England than the north. England and the United States are its chief habitat. In the latter country it is a severe scourge, occurring in