L 



On the Cretins of the Vallais. 269 



in fa6l, in a fort of vaft Bafin, full of exceflive 

 exhalations from the Rhone, and the marfhes on 

 its fides ; and the refledtion of the fun from the 

 furrounding mountains, which are almofl ver- 

 tical, forms an atmofphere very fingular for its 

 humidity and heat. 



At Sion in particular, the houfes are often 

 fteeped up to the fecond ftory, in a thick, hot, 

 and glutinous vapourj and the body, during the 

 fummer months, is in a very uncommon (late 

 of perpetual perfpiration. This naturally occa- 

 fions a laflitude and indolence, which unftring 

 the human frame ; and along v/ith them, one 

 meets with their ufual attendants, exceflive 

 poverty and filth. Their joint efFecls on the 

 human body, it would be ufelefs to difpure ; 

 but how they can curtail the ftature, and coagu- 

 late the underftanding, to fuch a wonderful 

 degree, is difficult to afcertain. Whether any 

 light may be derived from the diflfeftion of 

 a Cretin, is an experiment that has not yet been 

 made. To be of any ule, however, it fhould 

 not be confined to a fingle fubject, but fhould 

 be extended to every variety, from the moment 

 the malady has made its firft appearance, to the 

 time it has arrived at its full maturity of weak- 

 nefs. Some attempts for this purpofe I under- 

 ftood had failed, and they will be yet attended 

 with difficulty, and feme little danger. Philip 

 of Macedon's golden key will not here unlock the 



grave ; 



