CAUSES.——It has already been observed, that an inflammation of the breast often ends in an imposthume: consequently whatever disposes people to this disease, must likewise be considered as a cause of consumption. Other diseases, by vitiating the habit, may likewise occasion consumptions; as the scurvy, the scrophula, or king’s evil, the venereal disease, the asthma, small-pox, measles, &c. As this disease is seldom cured, we shall endeavour the more particularly to point out its causes, in order that people may be enabled to avoid it. These are: ——Confined or unwholesome air. When this fluid is impregnated with the fumes of metals or minerals, it proves extremely hurtful to the lungs, and often corrodes the tender vessels of that necessary organ. ——Violent passions, exertions, or affections of the mind; as grief, disappointment, anxiety, or close application to the study of abstruse arts or sciences. ——Great evacuations; as sweating, diarrhœas, diabetes, excessive venery, the fluor albus, an over-discharge of the menstrual flux, giving suck too long, &c. ——The sudden stoppage of customary evacuations; as the bleeding piles, sweating of the feet, bleeding at the nose, the menses, issues, ulcers, or eruptions of any kind. ——Injuries done to the lungs, calculi, &c. I lately saw the symptoms of a phthisis occasioned by a small bone sticking in the _bronchæ_. It was afterwards vomited along with a considerable quantity of purulent matter, and the patient, by a proper regimen, and the use of the Peruvian bark, recovered. ——Making a sudden transition from a hot to a very cold climate, change of apparel, or whatever greatly lessens the perspiration. ——Frequent and excessive debaucheries. Late watching, and drinking strong liquors, which generally go together, can hardly fail to destroy the lungs. Hence the _bon companion_ generally falls a sacrifice to this disease. ——Infection. Consumptions are likewise caught by sleeping with the diseased; for which reason this should be carefully avoided. It cannot be of great benefit to the sick, and must hurt those in health. ——Occupations in life. Those artificers who sit much, and are constantly leaning forward, or pressing upon the stomach and breast, as cutlers, taylors, shoemakers, seamstresses, &c. often die of consumptions. They likewise prove fatal to singers, and all who have occasion to make frequent and violent exertions of the lungs. ——Cold. More consumptive patients date the beginning of their disorders from wet feet, damp beds, night air, wet clothes, or catching cold after the body had been heated, than from all other causes. Sharp, saline, and aromatic aliments, which heat and inflame the blood, are likewise frequently the cause of consumptions. We shall only add, that this disease is often owing to an hereditary taint, or a scrophulous habit; in which case it is generally incurable.