30 



Agaiii; an extensive series of meteorological observations may prove of 

 immense importance to the scientific physician. It cannot be doubted 

 that the sahibrity of a cHmate is to a great extent dependent upon its me- 

 teorology — on its mean temperature, the range of the thermometer, the 

 suddenness of its changes, the moisture of the air, excessive rains or un- 

 usual droughts, <5cc. To trace the connexion between these causes and 

 prevalent diseases, requires an accumulation of precise meteorological ob- 

 servations made in every variety of exposure, and continued for a long pe- 

 riod of time. That it is possible to discover such a connexion, if it really 

 exist, cannot admit of a reasonable doubt; nor is it difficult to anticipate 

 the important consequences which must flow from it. To discover the 

 cause of disease is the first step towards a cure; and it is by no means 

 chimerical to suppose that a complete system of meteorological observations 

 throughout the United States might be the means of extending the dura- 

 tion of human life. 



It cannot, then, be questioned that meteorology is a subject of the greatest 

 practical importance, p7'ovided it has any solid foundation for a science. If 

 the laws of storms can be discovered, this knowledge must be of the 

 highest importance to mankind, particularly to those who are employed in 

 navigating the sea. If the prevalent character of a season can be antici- 

 pated, it would save the husbandman much bitter disappointment from the 

 failure of his crops. If the influence of cliniate upon disease could be 

 detected, it might add years to the mean duration of human life. What 

 encouragement there may be to anticipate that these results will ever be at- 

 tained, I shall consider after inquiring — 



II. What has already been done for the promotion of meteorology, 



1, In the way of making the necessary observations. 



Previous to the year 1819, no combmed systematic effort had been made 

 in this country for the promotion of meteorology. Registers had been in- 

 dustriously kept by various private individuals, but they were without 

 any concerted action. In 1819, under the direction of the then Secretary 

 of War, John C. Calhoun, a system of meteorological observations was 

 commenced at the different military posts, which has been continued to the 

 present time. This was a highly important movement, and was prompted 

 by a most liberal spirit. It has furnished us with an approximate knoMd- 

 edge of the mean temperature of a considerable number of stations^ many 

 of them remote from tl>e more populous parts of the United States. It 

 should, however, be remembered that the instruments provided never ex- 

 ceeded a thermometer and a rain gauge ; and the observations, therefore, 

 had of necessity a limited range. 



In 1825, a similar system of observations was introduced into tlie State 

 of New York; almost without modification. Eacli of the academies incor- 



