C 289 ] 



N°. XXXV. 



Obfervations intended to favour a fuppojition that the Black 

 Color (as it is called) of the Negroes is derived from the 

 Leprosy. By Dr. Benjamin Rush. 



Read at a Special Meet- T^R. SMITH liihis elcgaiit and Ingc- 

 ing July 14, 1792- JL/ nious Eflay upon the Variety of Co- 

 lor and Figure in the Human Species has derived it from 

 four caufes, viz. dimate, diet, ftate of fociety, and 

 difeafes. I admit the Do£tor's fadls, and reafonings as 

 far as he has extended them, in the fulleft manner. 1 fhall 

 only add to them a few obfervations which are intended 

 to prove that the color and figure of that part of our fel- 

 low creatures who are known by the epithet of negroes, 

 are derived from a modification of. that difeafe, which is 

 known by the name of Leprofy. 



Many fa<fls recorded by hiftorians, as well as phyficians 

 fliow the influence of unwholfome diet in having produc- 

 ed the leprofy in the middle and northern parts of Europe 

 in the 13th and 14th centuries. The fame caufe, com- 

 bined with greater heat, more favage manners, and bili- 

 ous fevers, probably produced this difeafe in the fkin 

 among the natives of Africa. But I will not reft the 

 proofs of the color and figure of the negroes being a le- 

 profy fimply upon its caufes. Other circumftances make 

 it much more probable. I fliall briefly enumerate them. 



I. The leprofy is accompanied in fome inftances with 

 a black color of the (kin. Of this I have met with a 

 fatisfa<£lory proof in Dr. Thciry's account of the difeafes 

 of Afluria in Spain. I fhall infert a tranflation of his own 

 words upon this fubjed. " There are (fays this excellent 

 phyfician) above twenty hofpitals for lepers in (his pro- 

 vince, and 1 have obferved fix fpecies of the diforder. 

 Q^ q One 



