132 On the Diseases of 



lebrated physician of Turin, who applied himself much 

 to discover the nature and causes of epidemical diseases, 

 rightly asserts, that the air, agitated by north winds, is 

 loaded with saline-acid miasma, which emanate from 

 the mines and waters whence the wind comes ; that, on 

 the contrary, the air pushed by the south wind, is filled 

 with alkaline particles, which, being mixed with humi- 

 dity, have the property of dissolving the blood. The idea 

 which this learned physician gives, though rather gene- 

 ral, is a sketch which may improve the learning of a 

 physician. I presume to cite this observation here, 

 because it has appeared to me grounded upon a good 

 and judicious practice : non enim, says Huquet, post ra- 

 tionem inventa est medicina, sed post medicinam quasita 

 est ratio. 



As the diseases that depend on the season in which 

 south winds usually prevail, are precisely the very ones 

 we have given an account of, and which particularly at- 

 tack the new comers, we shall say no more about them, as 

 we have expatiated enough on this subject ; but there 

 remains to us now, to speak of those that depend on the 

 northern winds. 



Every thing being equal, as the winter season of the 

 islands is more congenial to the constitution of the 

 Europeans than the summer season of said islands, it 

 would be proper for Frenchmen, desirous to repair there, 

 to sail from France in the early part of the autumn, in 

 order to be there in the season that would be least preju- 

 dicial to them. 



