Transmission of diseases : first paper ; consumption ; read before the Maine Medical Association, June session, 1874 / by A. C. Hamlin, M.D.

  • Hamlin, Augustus C. (Augustus Choate), 1829-1905.
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Transmission of diseases : first paper ; consumption ; read before the Maine Medical Association, June session, 1874 / by A. C. Hamlin, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES. FIRST PAPER. CONSUMPTION. The object of this imperfect paper is to bring forward, in a brief manner, some of the general facts connected with con- sumption, in the hope it may lead to the development of new light upon its origin and its prevention ; for the study of the causes, forms and phenomena of phthisis offers one of the gravest questions now impending in the health of our country. Among all the diseases that desolate our land, consumption reaps the greatest harvest. More terrible in its exactions than the fabled Minotaur, it demands an annual tribute of quite sev- enty thousand victims. Science, thus far, appears powerless to check its ravages, and statistics seem to indicate that only one out of several thousand cases are restored by the skill of man or the efforts of nature. When we come to investigate the causes that apparently give rise to the disease, and study the problem of natural life, we become aware that this mortal- ity is in excess of the intents of nature, and that the prevention of a great part of it probably lies within the controlling power of man. We may justly arrive at this conclusion, but we are not quite ready with the array of facts to show how the paths of prevention may be easily and safely followed. However, we will to-day assume the argument that consumption may be, to a certain degree, prevented by a wise adoption of location and habitation, by selection in marriage, and by guarded ali- mentation and training in early life. The admirable paper of Dr. Bowditch,'the revelations of the last census and the obser- vations of a great number of pathologists, leave no doubt but that certain localities, on account of excess of moisture, both in the atmosphere and the land, deficiency of sun-light and prevalence of harsh winds, are cursed by the disease to a far greater extent than others. To these conclusions we will read- ily acquiesce, for they are also well substantiated and supported by an array of facts concerning other diseases which have a similar origin. We will now give a brief glance at the laws of inheritance, and attempt to establish a foundation to the theory that by an