A dissertation on the means of preserving health in Charleston, and the adjacent low country. Read before the Medical Society of South-Carolina, on the 29th of May, 1790 / By David Ramsay, M. D.

  • David Ramsay
Date:
1790
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dissertation on the means of preserving health in Charleston, and the adjacent low country. Read before the Medical Society of South-Carolina, on the 29th of May, 1790 / By David Ramsay, M. D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fhould build on the fouth fides of their rice fields and other waters. The winds in the fummer months are for the moft part foutherly. To be under a neceffity of breathing air, faturated with the noxious effluvia acquired in pafling over ftag~- nant waters, muft be highly injurious. Indeed ‘if health was, as it ought to be, preferred to riches, the planters would build their dwelling houfes at a diftance from the rivers. The inhabitants of a houfe in the pine barren has. a much better chance for health, than he whofe manfion is erected in the neighbourhood of any body of water, either ftag- nant or running. Health and wealth feem to be at variance. The fame qualities of the foil which make it fruitful, make it alfo unwholfome, while the dry furface of pine barren prefents compara- tively a pure and wholfome air. Befides, the refin of the pine trees in ittelf contributes to the falubrity of the atmofphere. Itis an old and well authen- ticated obfervation, that perfons, whether white or black, employed in burning tar-kilns, are always healthy. The method praé€tifed by Indians and negroes of living in fmoke, 1s conducive to health; but the inconvenience of fuch a fituation will for- ever operate againft its being introduced into common ule among our citizens; but, neverthelefs, fome confiderable analogous benefit, with lietle expence or inconvenience, might be procured to thofe who refide in the country, trom fires kindled round or near their houfes. Thefe will be more neceffary when the wind is eafterly, and more beneficial if made with refinous pine: wood, On
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