[ 415 3 

 No. LXV. 



Experiments and ohfervalions, on the atmofphere of ma>JJ:en 

 By Adam Seybert, M. D. 



Read, Dec. 'W THEN inquirics which have attracted the at- 

 »ift, 1798- ^V tention of a Frankhn, a Prieftly, an In- 

 genhouz and many other eminent perfons, without being 

 decided, are undertaken by one whofe abihties are lb far 

 inferior as mine, little fuccefs can be expedled. This re- 

 mark announces the difliculty of the fubje<ft I am about to 

 inveftigate; neverthclefs i am ftimulated by the induftry of 

 my predeceflbrs, and if 1 cannot promife much new matter, 

 1 hope to be at leaft able to verify fome obfervations and 

 perhaps difprove others; for in proportion as we remove 

 errors we approach nearer to truth. 



When we are fully perfuaded, that to live and to breathe 

 are fynonimous terms; and that the abfolute neceflity of air 

 to the maintenance of animal life has been fully eftablilhed 

 by repeated and well concerted experiments, we need not 

 be furprifed to find many perfons engaged in an examina- 

 tion of the chemical qualities of our atmofphere ; the names 

 of Scheele, Prieftly, Lavoifier, Fontana, &c. will for ever 

 make this branch of fcience refpedlable. 



From the earlieft ages it has been fuppofed that the at- 

 mofphere has great influence on the human body in produc- 

 ing difeafe, as well as in reftoring health ; hence the ac- 

 counts of Hippocrates, Sydenham and Huxham. Phyfi- 

 cians ought always to notice the ftate of the atmofphere 

 during the prevalence of epidemic difeaies. 



Before fads were colleded and experiments well per- 

 formed, the atmofphere was fufped;ed to differ materially 

 in almofl; every fitiiation ; but latter experiments have prov- 

 ed that our notions have been erroneous to a great degree. 



In... 



