852 Weather of the last eight Years, 



barometer ; but the mean of that instrument, as it will be seen, 

 was very near the one calculated. In the quantity of rain 

 only a very trifling difference is observable ; and the greatest 

 deviation from the table is in the number of days on which 

 the wind blew from the north and north-west ; which, this 

 year, was nearly double the average numbers. Another and 

 more distinguishing feature of the period in question was the 

 high state of electricity of the atmosphere : thunder was heard 

 seven times, and, in three or four instances, was extremely 

 loud, and the lightning very vivid ; which is unusual in this 

 neighbourhood, where severe storms are rarely experienced. 



That atmospheric changes have great effect on the human 

 frame, there are few, in those days of general information, 

 who will venture to deny. One of the symptoms attending 

 the epidemic in this neighbourhood, which claimed attention, 

 was inflammation of the lungs. Might not this have been 

 partly occasioned by the excess of the electricity floating in 

 the air acting as aKStimulant? But the meteorologist must 

 confine himself to making observations, and affording data 

 for the speculations of those whose habits and studies enable 

 them to theorise with more effect, and with better prospects 

 of success ; while the physiologist may form opinions as to 

 the effects peculiar states of the air may have on the people 

 living beneath its influence. 



It was under these impressions that I applied to a respected 

 friend, of long experience and extensive medical practice in 

 this neighbourhood, through whose kindness 1 am enabled to 

 add the following remarks : — " That the influenza which 

 appeared in this vicinity had in a great measure resembled in 

 its symptoms those of former periods, viz. 1762, 1775, 1782, 

 and 1803, when prevailing as an epidemic. At the com- 

 mencement, catarrhal and peripneumonic symptoms were 

 most observable, during which time north-westerly winds 

 prevailed ; afterwards, inflammatory affections of the brain 

 and its membranes became the more prominent character of 

 the disease, in some instances complicated with peripneu- 

 monic symptoms ; but these were confined to low situations, 

 while, in those more elevated, the peripneumonic complaints 

 were unattended by affections of the sensorium. The fatal 

 cases were those in which the brain was affected, and the 

 greater proportion of them persons advanced in life. Any 

 speculation upon the cause of such extensively prevailing dis- 

 ease as has been witnessed would be at present but hypothe- 

 tical ; and whether it was occasioned by atmospheric influ- 

 ence, or some specific malaria, it must be candidly confessed, 

 is at present, « hidden from our eyes.' " 



