-{ 368 J 
[May 1, 
MEDICAL REPORT. : 
—— 
ROM the prevalence of easterly winds 
during the past month, inflammations 
of the mucous membranes, and parts im- 
mediately connected, have abounded. Ca- 
tarrhs of the most troublesome description 
—chronic inflammation of the lungs—glan- 
dular enlargements — cutaneous eruptions 
and inflammations of the membranes of the 
eye, have kept the medical profession most 
actively engaged. Happily for the world, 
cleanliness, temperance, and free ventila- 
tion, are become fashionable ; consequently, 
that which, some years ago, would have at- 
tracted general attention under the title of 
influenza, and have been, in many re- 
spects, formidable, from the incomprehensi- 
bility of the name, has passed with little 
notice, as the consequent of a very decided 
change from a reeking, to a drying, if not 
searing atmosphere. 
A very decided change has taken place 
during these last thirty years in public 
opinion, and public opinion has a decided 
influence on professional and scientific (as 
it is called) opinion. 
No profession, in the present day, need 
to wrap itself in mysticism ; common-sense, 
in common-sense things, is making rapid 
strides towards the crown. Occult science 
has suffered the ostracism, and men may 
now speak simply and dare to call things 
by their right names, without danger to 
body or goods. Thanks be to God, who 
has emancipated us from what could not 
be understood, and therefore ought not to 
be feared. Asa reporter, howeyer, of dis- 
ease, with its general treatment, I have to 
state, that those who, in defiance of alf pro- 
priety, have exposed themselves, during the 
past month, to the action of the atmosphere, 
after indulging in a warm relaxing medium of 
respiration, have suffered for it; those,on the 
contrary, who have considered the season, 
the power of the sun, the point of the wind, 
and have acted accordingly, have been free. 
And as regards medical treatment, success 
has, and always will, upon the whele, attend 
the admirer and disciple of Nature. Small- 
pox has been of frequent occurrence during 
the past month, in persons who have been 
vaccinated ; but for the comfort of the 
moderate and really scientific vaccinator, 
nothing of an unfavourable or alarming 
nature has been witnessed in the practice, 
or,within the knowledge of the reporter, 
where an impertinent medical interference 
has not been manifested, or an undue in- 
fluence has not been attached to vacci- 
nation. 
“MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
—<<z— 
HE prayers of the weather-wise have 
been heard: March dust has been 
meted out to us in fullest measure, and, 
our great end being answered, we are now 
again upon our knees for April showers. 
The truly weather-wise, however, do not 
dream of regularity of season in Britain, 
the climate of which is celebrated for no- 
thing more than being constant in incon- 
stancy. We have before condescended (as 
our brethren the Scots phrase it) on an at- 
mospherie balance. Thus, long continued 
rains necessarily produce drought; hence 
the probability of a dry Spring and Sum- 
mer; and however that may be, in all proba- 
bility, we have no reason to apprehend any 
excess, even from the exertions of that no- 
toriously dropsical Saint, Swirnin. It 
may safely be pronounced that, since our 
last, all the agricultural operations have 
proceeded successfully ; for as to the set-off 
of particular inconveniences and embarrass- 
ments, that must be allowed, in every sea- 
son however prosperous. On good friable 
soils, the latest of the Spring crops is in the 
ground, but, on the heavy intractable lands, 
it is scarcely possible to make good work, 
until the stubborn clods have been moisten- 
ed down by showers. Indeed other crops 
are more suitable than barley to such soils. 
The wheats, thus far, promise a crop. On 
good or well manured lands, they look 
healthy, luxuriant, and fully thick set; on 
the poor or neglected, they are losing colour 
for want of refreshing showers, which, in 
fine, will soon be required by all. © Should 
rain come in time, the thin wheats will pro- 
bably receive no damage from that cireum- 
stance ; otherwise, they may fail consider- 
ably in product. The early sown Spring 
crops equal the wheats in promise. With 
respect to the latter, nothing yet can be 
said, but that much seed has been put into 
the ground under great disadvantages. The 
hop farmers are fully employed in poling; 
nocomplaints. Fruit trees have a very 
prolific show, and seem to have received 
little or no damage from the easterly winds 
and frosts. The lands are now in prepara- 
tion for turnip sowing and for Summer 
fallows, where the ancient and holy preju- 
dices of either landlord or tenant compel 
that necessary practice. All kinds of live 
stock, at present, hold price. The fall of 
lambs has been large and successful, but it 
must require some time to replenish the 
mutton-market ; for not only was the loss 
of ewes great, by the late rot, but, it appears, 
that of lamb hogs (young sheep) has been 
greater than was supposed. The want of 
dry 
