4. I shall devote the remainder of this paper to a few concise observations on the effects of salt, and a saline atmosphere, upon animal life.
Upon the more imperfect animals, such as slugs, worms, toads, &c. it is well known that salt proves speedily destructive of life. It is not my intention to attempt an explanation of this singular fact. But it is remarkable that it should not have been turned to better account in the treatment of those worms, which infest the human body. Although used for that purpose by the common people in Ireland as well as in this country, I believe it has not, until very lately, claimed the attention of the profession, as an anthelmintick. A late English journal[66] contains a notice of some cases which satisfactorily prove its efficacy, when administered with this intention. This fact, in addition to numerous others, strikingly illustrates the advantages which the healing art might derive from a careful observation of the phenomena daily developed by the collateral sciences.
In cases of hæmoptysis and hæmatemesis, common salt has been used with decided success. The public is indebted to Dr. Rush, for the introduction of this remedy into general practice.
Dr. Hosack informs me, that he has found sea air extremely salutary in remittent fever, cholera infantum, and dyspepsia.
Among the deleterious effects caused by a saline atmosphere, may be mentioned the ophthalmia of Egypt. This disease is so common there, "that out of a hundred persons," says Volney, "I have met while walking the streets of Cairo, twenty have been quite blind, ten wanting an eye, and twenty others have had their eyes red, purulent, or blemished."[67] Throughout the Delta, and at Cairo, this complaint is more prevalent than in any other part of Egypt. In Syria it is also common, although less so than in Egypt, but it is only met with on the sea-coast. The reasoning of Volney on this subject, is decisive of the position, that the prevalence of this complaint, in these regions, is owing to their proximity to the ocean. In confirmation, he states that he has himself experienced the irritating effects of the air of the Delta upon the organ of vision.[68]
In those cases of scurvy which occur in long voyages, the saline nature of the atmosphere co-operates very powerfully with salt provisions and bad water, in producing that general vitiation of the system which characterizes this disorder.
Of all diseases, however, those of the lungs appear to be most affected by a saline air. I have known a lady of this city who had been afflicted for many years with asthma, to be essentially benefited by a voyage across the Atlantic. Another case has fallen under my observation, of a lady troubled with asthma, being much relieved by removing from the interior to this city. What proves beyond a doubt that her relief is owing to the air she breathes, is, that whenever she takes a jaunt into the country, she is sure to suffer a paroxysm of her old complaint.
Pulmonary consumption certainly prevails more on the sea-coast, than in the interior. In all our sea-port towns, it is this disorder which so frightfully augments the catalogue of our bills of mortality. According to Dr. Rush, "in Salem, in the state of Massachusetts, which is situated near the sea, and exposed, during many months of the year, to a moist east wind, there died in the year 1799, 160 persons; fifty-three of whom died of the consumption."[69] In Philadelphia, which is more remote from the sea, the deaths from consumption are much less numerous than in New-York, or the other cities immediately on the coast. In Great Britain, which is exposed to the sea on all sides, it is calculated that about 55,000 die annually from this disease.
Such are some of the facts on this subject; but the conclusion does not appear to be warranted, that these pulmonary affections arise from the irritating quality of the air. In Holland, the West Indies, as well as in other countries and islands, exposed to the sea air, consumption is of rare occurrence. In Syria, Volney even states that the air of the coast is particularly favourable to those labouring under this malady. Accordingly they are in the habit of sending such patients from Aleppo to Latakia, or Saide, where they may enjoy the benefit of sea air.[70]