Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/109

Rh foreign bodies that irritate the surrounding parts, and produce ulcerations. When these tubercles are once formed, the disease assumes, in most cases, an incurable type. The necessity to life of the unceasing activity of the lungs, every portion of which is made up of little vessels for the reception and purification of the blood, makes it almost impossible for any healing process to go on after ulceration has once commenced. We mention this form of the disease here, in order that the necessity for avoiding all the exciting causes may be fully seen. The formation of these tubercles, and the production of other incurable changes in the lungs, may be prevented by wisely abstaining from every thing that would in any way interfere with the healthy functions of the body; or, rather, by giving to the subject of health the most careful attention, and by wisely following the advice of those whose age, experience, and position, entitle their opinions to respect and consideration. The mere avoidance of draughts of air and crowded rooms, thin dressing and damp feet, are not all that is necessary to guard the individual, who has a predisposition to consumption, against its fearful attacks. The health of each part of the body is dependent upon the health of the whole body, as much as the health of the whole is dependent