I So The MUchUUan Theory of Fever 



Where fuch a noxious gas abounds, it is no wonder that 

 peflilential difeafe fhould be the confequence, efpecially if 

 it fhould prove mifcible in water, for then it will be taken in 

 with the food and drink, and may even be abforbed by the 

 fkin, as well as by the nofe, pallate and lungs. 



The nitric acid, which is compofed of oxygen and azote, 

 poffefles very different properties from atmofpheric air, which 

 is a mixture ofthefe two each previoufly combined with ca- 

 loric. It would bejuft as fair reafoning to fay that, their 

 bafes being the fame, they muft poffefs the fame properties, 

 as to infer that the noxious gas above mentioned mould pof- 

 fefs the fame properties with atmofpheric air, becaufe com- 

 pofed of the fame ingredients. 



Oxygen and azote, by certain operations of nature, enter 

 into combination with other elements to form organiied 

 bodies. By this procefs they are put into a fituation which 

 enables them to form a new union as foon as the laws by 

 which the organifed ftruexure maintains the harmony of the 

 complex combination, oeafe to exert their influence upon it. 

 New affinities then begin to operate, and that fpecies of de- 

 compofition fo well known by the name of putrefaction is 

 the immediate confequence. The oxygen and azote, during 

 their extrication from the putrefying hibftance, may come 

 within the fpheres of each other's attraction, without enter- 

 ing into an intermediate ftate of gas by union with caloric : 

 and in this way it is probable fome modification of nitrous 

 gas, or the nitrous acid, is formed, according as caloric en- 

 ters or not as a third ingredient into the compound. 



As this gas. which the fupporters of the prefent theory 

 _confixlcr as the matter of contagion, according to them, al- 

 ways owes its origin to the putrefaction of animal and vege- 

 table fubftances, they have given it a name expreffive of that 

 origin. They affume the word fepton to exprefs the radical of 

 the nitrous acid, and derive it from wwo, putrefacio ; whence 

 comes fepton, putridum ; and propofe that the combinations 

 9 formed 



