-ninth. A
fair estimate, and one probably very near the truth, would be one-sixth
or one-seventh of the whole number. In New York City, for five
consecutive years, the proportion was three in twenty. In New England,
about twenty thousand annually succumb to this destroyer, and in the
State of New York as many more. These figures may appear to be
exaggerations, but investigations of the subject prove them to be the
simple truth. Epidemics of cholera, yellow fever, and other diseases of
similar character, so terrible in their results, occasion wide-spread
alarm, and receive the most careful considerations for their prevention
and cure, while consumption receives scarcely a thought. Yet the number
of their victims sinks into insignificance when compared with those of
consumption. Like the thief in the night, it steals upon its victim
unawares. In a large proportion of cases, its approach is so insidious
that the early symptoms are almost wholly disregarded; indeed, they
excite but little, if any, attention, and perhaps for a time disappear
altogether. Thus the patient's suspicions, if they have been aroused,
are allayed and appropriate measures for his relief are discontinued.
This may be the case until renewed attacks firmly establish the disease,
and before the patient is fully aware of the fatal tendency of his
malady, he is progressing rapidly towards that "bourne from which no
traveler returns."

As has already been stated, consumption is a constitutional disease,
manifested by feeble vitality, loss of strength, emaciation--symptoms
which are too often classed under the name of _general debility_, until
local symptoms develop, as _cough, difficult breathing_, or
_hemorrhage_, when examination of the chest reveals the startling fact
that tubercular deposits have been formed in the lungs. Invalids are
seldom willing to believe that they have consumption, until it is so far
advanced that all medicine can do is to smooth the pathway to the grave.
Another characteristic of this disease is _hope_, which remains active
until the very last, flattering the patient into expectation of
recovery. To the influence of this emotion, the prolongation of the
patient's life may often be attributed.

NATURE OF THE DISEASE. It is an error to suppose that the disease under
consideration is confined to the lungs. "Pulmonary Consumption," as has
been remarked, "is but a _fragment_ of a great constitutional malady."
The lungs are merely th