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] Again, we know that many persons suffering from this affection, have been completely cured by a voyage, after all the resources of medicine had been exhausted upon them in vain. It is evident then, that a _pure_ sea air is not detrimental in cases of consumption. Dr. Rush, with his usual ingenuity, explains the prevalence of this complaint in our sea-ports, by attributing it to the mixture of land and sea air; and in confirmation observes, that "those situations which are in the neighbourhood of bays and rivers, where the fresh and salt waters mix their streams together, are more unfavourable to consumptive patients than the seashore, and therefore should be more carefully avoided by them in exchanging city for country air."[71]