These facts prove that injury has been done to the patient from insufficient care; and cases are not wanting, where medical men themselves have taken disease, where the circumstances of the case warranted the belief that fear was the chief, if not the only cause. Many very cunningly-devised plans have been recommended for the adoption of the physicians visiting patients labouring under infectious diseases, such as standing in a current of air passing between windows, or doors and windows,—keeping a handkerchief applied to the mouth and nose, washing the mouth with water, &c. These are sometimes adopted, yet there is room to think that, where a man of merely ordinary fortitude supposes that he inspires an atmosphere holding in solution a very virulent, nay deadly poison, that he will be anxious to make his visit as short as possible, even though the preventives above mentioned be religiously adopted.
Several of the cases of death among medical men, which have been unhesitatingly attributed to infectious air, the Author is convinced, from his knowledge of particular circumstances, and from the known tendency of fear, have arisen from depression, in consequence of that passion.
The prejudicial operation of the doctrine of infectious air has been proved in reference to the patient himself, 1st, From his apprehension for the safety of others ministering to him; 2d, From the neglect and desertion of friends and others; 3d, From the insufficient medical treatment which his case frequently obtains.
It has been proved in reference to friends and attendants, who are often in consequence in a state of apprehension, favouring the invasion of disease; and in relation to the first, who are made to regard one of the most delightful offices as a duty of imminent peril.
It is hurtful both to patient and friend, by forbidding that intercourse which, but for the danger in question, would be so delightful and consoling to both.
It tends to the commission of crimes of no trifling character, the desertion of kindred and of friends, the hardening and debasing of the heart, and the general corruption of the finest sentiments that bind and ornament society.
It has led to deeds not the least dark in the page of human history.
It takes much from the efficiency of medicine, and has been the frequent cause of much evil to its professors.
For all those reasons, it is an important subject, and demands patient investigation.
Surely a case has been made out to shew how important are its effects, and how much evil might be avoided were it proven, as is proposed to be done, that Atmospheric Contagion has no existence. That is all, that is desired to be shewn from what precedes, and we would on no account wish the amount of mischief it inflicts to be thought as put forward as an argument against its entity, which would be absurd.