BY EDWARD DELAFIELD, A. B.
——For want of timely care,
Millions have died of medicable wounds. Armstrong.
NEW-YORK:
PRINTED BY JOHN FORBES & CO.
78 WALL-STREET.
1816.
TO
SAMUEL BORROWE, M. D.
ONE OF THE SURGEONS OF THE NEW-YORK HOSPITAL,
THIS DISSERTATION
IS DEDICATED,
AS A TESTIMONY OF GRATITUDE
FOR THE MANY VALUABLE PRACTICAL LESSONS
RECEIVED FROM HIM
BY HIS FRIEND AND PUPIL,
EDWARD DELAFIELD.
[Pg v]
The attention of Physicians has for several years past been excitedto the consideration of that inveterate enemy of the human race,the Consumption. Several works have been published, newremedies proposed, and the practice of former physicians revived withmodifications and amendments, in the treatment of this disease. Atone period, Consumption had been so long considered without the reachof remedies, that it had almost ceased to excite the enquiries of thelearned in medicine. Fortunately, however, the spirit of enquiry hasrevived; and it is believed that the treatment of this dreadful maladyhas been so far improved, that many are rescued from its grasp, andthe sufferings of those who are still its victims, are materiallymitigated. Notwithstanding, it appears that in this city the mortalityfrom Consumption has increased rapidly of late years. Formerly, itsclimate was considered remarkably salubrious, and diseases of thelungs were rare. Lieutenant Governor Colden, in a series of remarks onthe climate and diseases of New-York, made seventy years ago, has thefollowing observations: “The air of the country being almost alwaysclear, and its spring strong, we have few consumptions or diseases ofthe lungs. People inclined to be consumptive in England, are oftenperfectly cured by our fine air; but if there be ulcers formed, theydie. The climate grows every day[Pg vi] better, as the country is cleared ofthe woods; and more healthy, as all the people that have lived longhere testify. This has even been sensible to me, though I have livedbut about twelve years in this country; I therefore doubt not but itwill in time, become one of the most agreeable and healthy climates onthe face of the earth.”[1]
These anticipations have not been realized; but, on the contrary,Consumption has become the prevailing disease of our city. The causesof this increase of the disease are numerous. We are told by Dr.Rush, that it is unknown among the Indians of North America; that itis scarcely known by those citizens of the United States who live inthe first stage of civilized life, and are generally called the firstsettlers; that it is less common in country places than in cities, andincreases in both, with intemperance and sedentary modes of life; thatship and house-carpenters, smiths, and all those artificers, whosebusiness requires great exe