An Essay on the medical Effects of Climates. 2fil 



he thinks is not to be found in Madeira, while the catarrhal 

 affection, which somewhat resembles it, though without 

 purulent expectoration, is not uncommon, and may be fatal 

 if neglected or improperly treated. Dr. Gourlay agrees 

 with Dr. Adams, in his report of the general benefit derived 

 from the climate of Madeira, by consumptive persons 

 going to it from colder countries, to pass the winter in the 

 island, and of the frequency of catarrhal affections among 

 the inhabitants; but he strongly insists that genuine con- 

 sumption is also very common and very fatal. There can 

 however he little doubt, from the concurrent testimony of 

 the majoritv of observers, that the climate of Madeira is 

 extremely salubrious, and that consumptions, though they 

 niay sometimes occur, are comparatively rare. 



In the West Indies, it is agreed by all authors, that con- 

 sumptive aflfections are almost unknown, and that scrofula 

 in all its forms is uncommon ; while the inhabitants of the 

 West Indies, coming into a colder climate, are peculiarly 

 liable lo the attacks of these diseases. Dr. Hunter, how- 

 ever, observes, that notwithstanding this exemption in fa- 

 vour of the natives of the West Indies, a residence in this 

 climate appeared to him to be of no manner of advantage 

 to persons who were already affected by incipient con- 

 sumptions when they arrived there. We cannot doubt the 

 accuracy of this evidence, as far as regards the facts which 

 came immediately under Dr. Hunter's observation ; they 

 principally related to the military, who perhaps laboured 

 under some peculiar disadvantages : but other practitioners 

 have given much more favourable reports of the events of 

 cases, in which they have made trial of the effect of a re- 

 sidence in this climate ; and if we may be allowed to draw 

 any inference from the qualities of a climate, as indicated 

 either by the thermometer, or by its effects on the consti- 

 tutions of the inhabitants, there can be little doubt that a 

 residence in Bermudas, in a temperate and sheltered part of 

 Jamaica, or in some other of the West India islands, to- 

 gether with the equable qualities of the sea air, to which 

 the patient niust be exposed during the voyage, must pre- 

 sent every advantage, towards the recovery of a consumptive 

 person, that climate alone can possibly bestow. 



In other diseases, the effects of climate are perhaps less 

 exclusively beneficial ; although it appears that gouty per- 

 sons often derive considerable benefit from a residence in 

 the hottest countries, as in the East Indies, or at Ceylon in 

 particular. Dr. Gregory seems to be persuaded that life 

 way be lengthened, and the inconveniences of old age re- 

 R 3 tardcd 



