A contribution to the climatological study of phthisis in Pennsylvania.
- William Pepper
- Date:
- 1887
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A contribution to the climatological study of phthisis in Pennsylvania. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![race than another. It runs a chronic course. No cases liave been caused by coming to town. It is promoted by hereditary influence. No preva- lence of malaria, rheumatism, pneumonia, or Bright’s disease. Fulton County.—No replies. Lehigh County.—No replies. Mifflin County.—Four replies. No. 1. Milroy ; po{)ulation, 750; elevation, 600 feet. Town is exposed and cool; is liable to sudden changes in temperature. The air is cool and damp. Fogs seldom occur. Agriculture and mining, factories and lumbering, are the pursuits. Ger- mans and Irish form the population. Consumption is very rare. No part of town is liable particularly. Phthisis runs an acute course; “ but few cases have occurred in many years.’’ No cases of the disease have been cured or made worse by coming to this town. Milroy is located at the foot of the Seven Mountains, on the south side of the mountains and east end of Kishicoquillas Valley. The ground or soil on which it is built is all of made earth or wash from the mountains, to a depth of an average of twenty feet—the greatest depth is about forty feet—and of mountain soil, sand and pebbles, with large bowlders. There are caverns. There is a mountain stream of considerable size flowing rapidly through the town, and sinking under a limestone ridge near the center of the town, making its appearance again in a much larger stream two miles south of Milroy. I have been informed that one entire family, except one mem- ber, a female about forty years of age, died of consumption. The family consisted of father, mother, four daughters, and one son. Another family consisted of father, mother, four daughters, and three sons. Three of the daughters died of consumption. There was, in my opinion, nothing to indicate hereditary disease in either case. “ I have not seen any cases of hereditary influence in twenty years, or since my sojourn here.” In a practice of over forty years, Dr. Harshberger has seen cases pre- vented by proper diet and regimen, cod-liver oil, iron, etc. No proof of infection. No malaria, pneumonia, rheumatism, or Bright’s disease. No. 2. Lewistown ; population, 4,000 ; elevation, 800 feet. Not ex- posed. Disease is not prevalent. There are often rapid changes from heat to cold. Soil alluvial; limestone. Has had but six cases in large practice in a year. Negroes are most often affected. Phthisis is not prevalent, and no ])art of the town or houses peculiarly liable to its prevalence. It runs a chronic course generally, and is promoted by heredity. The reporter has never seen any case benefited by going from or coming here, but believes that the disease can be prevented in childhood by hygienic measures. No evidence that it is contagious. Malaria is slightly prevalent in autumn. Twenty-six, 27, and 28, negative answers. No. 3. Newton Hamilton. Town sheltered and cold. Soufh and west winds prevail. Air is cool and damp and foggy. Much shade. Town liable to sudden changes of temperature. Occupation, farming. Phthisis prevalent. No part of town is liable. He knows of a house peculiarly](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28270538_0045.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
