22 On the Tellow- Fever of Charleston. 



tion, that, in the year 1799, when that disease raged 

 more than usually, the fall of rain, for those months, 

 was 13 inches more than at any period for ten years; 

 and if we add the quantity of rain in the month of 

 June, 1799, it will appear, that, during five months 

 in that year, no less than 54 inches of rain fell*. 

 Therefore, if we except heat, in my opinion, the 

 other sensible qualities of the atmosphere seem to 

 have scarce any, or but a very partial, influence in 

 exciting or repressing the disease. Heat is excepted, 

 because, I may say, the disorder never exists, until 

 after the summer has fairly set in, and continued for 

 some time. I, therefore, apprehend, we must refer 

 the origin of yellow-fever principally to the insensi- 

 ble qualities of the atmosphere, and those parts of it 

 only which hover over our city ; for, within half a 

 mile of it, the deleterious effects thereof are dissipated 

 and rendered innocuous, as appears from many stran- 

 gers enjoying perfect health, who live a little dis- 

 tance from the town, provided they never breathe our 

 vitiated air. 



Various have been the causes assigned for the, 

 production of this deadly disease : such as the filth of 

 cities, comprehending the public sewers or drains, 

 gutters, privies, dirty cellars and yards, the docks, 

 and other putrifying matters ; to which have been 

 added, the burial-places within cities, and the use of 



• It will be found, that as much rain fell, in these five months, 

 as in any one year from 1750 to 1759, a period often years. See 

 Dr. Chalmers's Account of the Weather and Diaeaaea of Southr 

 Carolina, page 42. 



