A Solemn Appeal - James White

to the author, that a more prolific cause of scrofula,
consumptions, and kindred affections did not
probably exist, than this sin of parents; adding, that
it often broke out two or three generations down,
and could rarely be eradicated from descendants.
Oh! how great the crime of thus cursing posterity,
instead of blessing it with all the endowments
conferred by virtuous love!
"Nor do many know how prevalent this disease
is in its various forms. Its victims keep their own
secret as long as possible, and doctor themselves,
except when their case becomes desperate; and
then confide it only to their medical adviser, whose
very profession forswears him to keep the secret.
Oh! how many thousands of our young men have
ruined their constitutions, and become invalids for
life, solely by means of this disease, or attempts to
cure it. Indeed, its prevalence at the Sandwich
Islands actually threatens the extinction of that
nation; which, at its present rate of mortality, it is
computed to effect in about sixty years! And if it
goes on to increase in the ratio of its past
progression, it will ultimately cut off our race itself
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