of the family, except the two already spoken of, and a very
young child. These three died. Some of the rest lingered for weeks, and
one or two for months; but they finally recovered.

It is worthy of remark, moreover, that of the people of the
neighborhood, though they had been excessively frightened and had not at
first dared to come near the house, at least without holding their
breath, not a person among them sickened. The disease began and ended
over the foul cellar I have mentioned; nor has a similar disease ever
since broken out there. The fair presumption is, that they have never
since suffered such foul accumulations to remain through the hot season,
on their premises.

My honest and truly honorable course of conduct, in this instance, cost
me something. Though I was a means of saving their lives, the survivors
never thanked me for the exposure I made of their slovenliness. Perhaps
I was wrong in reporting it abroad; but it was next to impossible to
conceal the facts; and I, for once, did not attempt it. Physicians
sometimes thus stand between the living and the dead, and must expect to
give offence. They are, however, in duty bound to keep the secrets of
their patients' faults as long as they can, unless the greater good of
the public demands an exposition.

But while I lost reputation in this particular family, I have not a
doubt that I gained a strong hold, by this adventure, on the public mind
and feelings. In truth, despite of even some trifling errors, I deserved
it. I had, moreover, during the adventure, acquired a good deal of
practical knowledge, of which, in the progress of my course as a medical
man, I was glad to avail myself.

This was doubtless an extreme case of disease from filthiness; but cases
of the same general character are quite numerous. I have sometimes
wished the public could have a history of these cases. There is an
immense amount of neglect in the departments of cleanliness and
ventilation; and the consequent suffering in the various forms of
disease, is in similar degree and proportion.

I will conclude this chapter with a single anecdote, which, were it
necessary, could be substantiated by a very great number of living
witnesses.

Some fifteen or twenty years ago, a severe disease was accustomed to
visit one of our New England factory villages, and to carry off more or
fewer of its inhabitants. So regular and certain were its yearly visits
and ravages, that not a few were di