From one fifth to one sixth of all the mortality in London, is from consumption; which is nearly double to that even of small pox. But consumption is a term too lax and indefinite. Into this gulph, no doubt, are thrown many febrile and slow hectick emaciations, from infancy to old age, in both sexes; and there are few diseases from acute and chronic sources, especially in their fatal termination, without emaciation. Consumptions and dropsies are the final wreck of a great variety of human maladies. In no two other diseases are, what pathologists term _Morbi a Morbis_, more apparent: and in multitudes of such cases, morbid dissections often detect the effect, and not the original cause. How many of the genuine pulmonary phthisis are consociated with this miscellaneous crowd, is difficult to guess; but, from the concurrent testimony of physicians, and of experience, we may safely affirm a very large proportion. There are few families in this kingdom whom it has not, one time or other, plunged into tears. Physicians on the continent alledge, that phthisis is more prevalent in Britain than in any other kingdom of Europe.
The next inquiry is, in what age, sex, rank of life, season of the year, and whether in city or country is consumption most predominant? It has been, from the earliest chronology, the universal echo and monotony of medical writers, to mark the principal consumptive age between 18 and 35. But, with submission, I would considerably enlarge its limits, including from birth to 5, and from 20 to 60. No age or stage of life is exempted; but we might “_a priori_,” and from viewing the great and general scale of mortality, assert, that between 5 and 20, a considerable number cannot possibly be swept away in the phthisical torrent. Nor do we mean to invalidate the general aphorism, that in the blossom and full maturity of vigour and comeliness, phthisis is superlatively deleterious. Between the sexes no distinction seems to be made. I conceive, however, that amongst the lower orders universally, and more especially those penned up in the foul atmosphere of cities, that phthisis is more fatal than amongst those who browse in the pure air of the country. In accommodation, cloathing, noxious trades, &c. the indigent have the disadvantage; and during sickness, from the same causes, their recovery is more desperate. With respect to seasons, winter and autumn in our climate is the most pernicious to pulmonick maladies.