1820.] Analyses of Books. 367 



31° S.W. 62 links. At the end of the first 20 Imks of this 



length, it opens into another cross cut, 

 bearing 72 S.W. 46 links. 

 4''S.E. 66 links. Forehead. 



Article XI. 

 Analyses of Books. 



Reports on the Epidemic Cholera which has raged throughout 

 Hindostan and the Peninsula of India since August, 1817. 

 (Published under the Authority of Government.) Bombay, 

 1819. 



This publication presents us with a very interesting account 

 of the disease which has excited so much alarm, and committed 

 such ravages in India for some time past : five places had escaped 

 the malignant visitation ; and as it still continued its course una- 

 bated in different directions, as neither the rapidity of its 

 progress, nor the violence of its symptoms, seemed to be at all 

 modified by the state of the atmosphere in respect to heat or 

 cold, moisture or dryness, it is impossible to conjecture how far 

 it may yet extend its influence. It is known to have appeared 

 on board several ships, after their departui'e fiom India, on their 

 return voyage ; and it is, therefore, not improbable", that it may 

 find its way to Europe at no distant period. A similar disease 

 is described bj'^ Sydenham, as having prevailed in England iu 

 1669, and 1674, 1675, 1676, though it was neither so extensively 

 propagated, nor of itself so fatal in its effects. Although, how- 

 ever the Indian epidemic was almost uniformly fatal, when left 

 to nature, it is consoling to observe, from these reports, that the 

 mortality was very trifling, vrhen medical aid was had recourse 

 to at the commencement of the attack. 



The following extract gives a curious history of its progress : 



The cbolera first appeared in August of last year (1817) in Zila Jessore, 

 •itua(e(l about 100 miles north-east of Calciilla. Tliere had heen no previous 

 marked peculiarity in the weather, Tlie preceding cold and hot months were no 

 «i-o different from those of former years; and the rainy season was proceeding 

 Willi its wonted regularity. To the authorities on the spot there, the lii^nrder 

 kcemed at first to be of a purely local description; and atlributable (o the iniem- 

 perate use of rank fish, and bad rice. They were soon undeceived ; after nearly 

 depopulating the town of Jessore, it rapidly spread through the adjoining villages; 

 and ran from di.-.trict to district until it brought the whole province of Bengal 

 under its inlTuence. It next extended to Behar; and having visited the |)rini-ij)at 

 cities west and east of the Ganges, reached the upper provinces. There it, progress 

 was more irregular. Henares, Allahabad, (ionickpore, Lucknow, Cawnpore, 

 and tlie more populrnis towns in their vicinity, ivcre all'ected nearly in the regular 

 course of time; but it was otherwise in more thinly peopled portions of the coun- 

 try. The disease would sometimes take a complete circle round a village, and 

 leaving it untouched, pass on, as if it were abniit wholly to depart from the dis- 

 trict. Then, after a lapse of weeks, or even month', it would suddenly return, and, 

 w:arcely reappearing iu the parts which had already uudergoiie its ravages, would 



