T.32 Of thi: INSALUBRITY of FLAT 



But that any exhalation or other fubftance, fliould adl 

 on the moving powers or folids of the human body feve- 

 ral days after it has been received into the body, without 

 making fome material change in the condition or quality 

 of the circulating fluids is inadmiflibie becaufe it is Icarce- 

 ly conceivable. That fuch alteration is made in the qua- 

 lity of the fluids in putrid fevers is manifeft from the 

 contagious effedts of the leveral excretions. But in cafes 

 of intermittents and remittents which originate in marlhy 

 lituations, no fuch evidence is afforded, for there is no au- 

 thentic inilance of thefe being contagious or communicable 

 from one to another. 



As no other exhalations or noxious matters than thofe 

 which have now been enumerated, can be difcovered in 

 the mofl unfalutary atmofphcre of marflres ; as there is 

 no fource from whence any other noxious fubftance can 

 be introduced into the atmofphere of fuch htuations, and 

 as it is evident from the known efl'edts of the gafes which 

 have been difcovered in it, that they can not have the 

 effedl of producing the difeafes under confideration either 

 when applied fingly or united, we certainly ought to 

 hefitate before we adopt the dodirine heretofore taught, 

 refpecSting marfli miafma. 



iDUt as it is well known that a very material alteration 

 is made in the proportions, which one of the component 

 parts of the atmofphere bears to the other, by certain 

 proceffes of nature and art, let us enquire how far the 

 alteration which is made in the atmofphere of marfhes, 

 by the procefs of putrefaction may afFedl the prefent 

 queffion. 



llrft. After two months, things were exactly the fame. The mutton 

 was then thrown out." Alexander's Experimental Enquiry, p. 71. 



From the expetiments of the fame gentleman it appears, that pieces of 

 dead flefh fofpeiided over the exhalations of the putrid water of marllies, are 

 five or fix days longer putrefying, than thofe fufpended over the exlialations 

 of pure water. (See his ijtli & 17th experiments). 



4 Mr. 



