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TO VOL. THE THIRD. 
An Effay on thofe inquiries in Natural Philofophy, which at prefent are moft 
beneficial to the Unrrep Stares oF NortH AMERICA. By 
Dr. NICHOLAS COLLIN, Reéfor of the Swedifb Churches in 
Pennfylvania. 
Read before the Society the 3d of April, 1789. 
Painosorures are citizens of the world; the fruits of their 
labours are freely diftributed among all nations; what they fow is reap- 
ed by the antipodes, and blooms through - future generations. It is, 
however, their duty to cultivate with peculiar attention thofe parts of 
feience, which are moft beneficial to that country in which Providence 
has appointed their earthly ftations. Patriotic affeGtions are in this, as 
in other inftances, conducive to the general happinefs of mankind, be- 
caufe we have the beft means of ri lactin thofe objets, which are 
moft interefting to us. In the prefent circumftances of the United 
States fome problems of natural philofophy are of peculiar importance ; 
-afurvey of thefe may contribute to the moft ufeful direction of our own 
inquiries, and thofe of our ingenious fellow citizens. I fubmit, gen- 
tlemen, my reflections on this fubject to your candid indulgence and 
enlightened judgment. 
1. ARTICLE, Medical Enquiries. 
Ail countries have fome peculiar difeafes, arifing from the climate, 
manner of living, occupations, predominant paffions, and other caufes, 
whofe feparate and combined influence is but imperfeCtly known. In 
North America we may count five—nervous diforders, rheumatif{m, in- 
termitting fevers, lofs of teeth, and colds. It is remarkable that ner- 
vous complaints are at prefent more frequent in Europe than they former- 
ly were. ‘They fpring in a great meafure from the indulgencies of a 
civilized life; but im America thefe fiends infeft with lefs difcriminati- 
a2 on 
