Southern Coast of England. 93 



This part of the work, which is by far the most voluminous, 

 is executed in a manner which reflects highly on the profes- 

 sional talent of the authors, and exhibits a very extensive ac- 

 quaintance with the opinions of ancient and modern physicians, 

 on the broad basis of whose established opinions, rather than 

 on novel hypotheses, he has, we think very judiciously, rested 

 the reputation of his work, in support of the arguments he 

 adduces. Although it is diflicult to make a selection from this 

 useful part of the publication, a few extracts may serve to illus- 

 trate the perspicuous style in which it is written ; and with these 

 our limits will compel us to conclude our notice of a work, 

 which, from the importance of the subjects it embraces, and 

 the mode of treating them, must be considered a valuable 

 acquisition to the public. 



In the Chapter on Consumption, Dr. Harwood observes, in 

 reference to low situations, 



" Low situations having been found less obnoxious to consump- 

 tive complaints, and, on the contrary, a diminished atmospheric 

 pressure, whether depending on meteorological variations, or on a 

 removal from a lower part of the kingdom to one of a higher level, 

 being thought to be prejudicial in such cases, many medical authors 

 have supposed the advantages of the coast to be materially aided 

 by the increased weight of its atmosphere. 



" It has, indeed, not only been observed, that the proportion of 

 these diseases materially increases as we ascend from a lower to a 

 higher elevation, but cases are recorded in which their progress has 

 been effectually arrested by a removal thence to a lower level. 



" That such results, however, are dependent entirely on the de- 

 gree of pressure to which the lungs are subject, is not clearly de- 

 monstrated ; since the pernicious influence communicated, on high 

 elevations, to pulmonic diseases, may arise, in a more especial 

 manner, from the greater vicissitudes of heat and cold to which 

 such situations are exposed ; although I conceive that there is evi- 

 dence amply sufficient for believing, that the greater or less degree 

 of pressure in the atmosphere, is productive of very important 

 effects on organs so immediately exposed to its action, and ren- 

 dered by derangement or disease, preternaturally sensible to its 

 effects . 



** This would appear more particularly apparent from the obser- 

 vations of Mr. Mansford, on the degree of acceleration which the 

 pulse acquires even at a comparatively trifling elevation ; for, on 

 ascending no more than 500 feet above the level of the sea, it seems 

 that the heart gains an accession of several pulsations per minute ; 

 while the resistance of the vessels is diminished in an equal pro- 

 portion, as is demonstrated by the well known circumstance, tliat 

 even the most healthy persons, on ascending great heights, not un- 



