27 
ment of mankind. That there were evils and abuses it is not 
to be denied, but these, so far from being necessarily incorporated 
with the monastic system, were violently opposed to that system 
in its early and pure state. When they existed their source is 
to be traced to that deeply-seated propensity to evil which is 
inherent in our fallen nature. 
On the table of the Lecture Room was placed a model of 
Whalley Abbey as it was in the days of Abbot Paslew, carefully 
executed by Mr. Doxey from measurements and drawings by Mr. 
Angelo Waddington. This was explained in detail, and added 
much to the interest of the paper. 
THE NECESSITY FOR AN HOSPITAL FOR 
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN BURNLEY. 
By JAMES MACKENZIE, M.D. March 5th, 1889. 
If we take that branch of science which consists of the study 
of disease as affecting mankind, we find that our ideas of the 
cause of many diseases have undergone a complete reformation 
within recent years. This is particularly the case in that large 
section which comes under the head of ‘ Infectious” or “ Con- 
tagious ”’ diseases. While in a measure the dangers attending 
these diseases have long been appreciated yet the nature of the 
danger has remained a mystery, and, indeed, it in many cases 
still remains a mystery. Nevertheless, the specific elements of 
contagious diseases in a few cases have been determined, and by 
analogy the nature of many other diseases has been inferred. 
Practical application following upon this inference has so far 
resulted in such success that we are in a great degree enabled 
to cope with these diseases, and knowing wherein our danger 
lies to prepare a strong defence. It is my purpose to 
point out to you the dangers to which we are exposed, the 
dangers from which we suffer, the effectual means we have in 
our power for combating those dangers, and the stolid indiffer- 
ence with which we neglect to benefit by the knowledge we 
possess. 
There is a class of diseases from which mankind suffers, 
which are spread from one individual to another. There is a 
material which is capable of inducing a disease, when it obtains 
entry into a person susceptible. If any one individual should 
live in such a place and manner so that he is never brought into 
contact with such infectious material he will not be attacked by 
infectious diseases. Each disease propagates its own kind, that, 
