I claim that in losing the spinning wheel we lost our left lung. We are, therefore, suffering from galloping consumption. The restoration of the wheel arrests the progress of the fell disease.

Summary

This quote suggests that the invention and subsequent loss of the spinning wheel had a negative impact on society. The spinning wheel, being a symbol of traditional craftsmanship and self-sufficiency, is compared to a vital organ, the left lung. Without it, society is metaphorically suffering from a rapid and destructive illness called "galloping consumption." The quote implies that the restoration of the spinning wheel would halt the progression of this disease, indicating a need for a return to traditional methods and values.

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